You've booked your private yacht charter in Cartagena, Miami, Cancún, or Casa de Campo — congratulations. Now comes the question every first-timer asks the night before: what exactly do I bring on a boat day? Pack too little and you'll be sunburned and seasick by noon. Pack too much and you'll be dragging a roller suitcase down a dock while your captain waits. This guide covers exactly what to bring on a boat trip in the Caribbean, what to leave at home, and a few insider tips we've picked up from hundreds of charters.
The Right Clothing for a Caribbean Boat Day
The Caribbean sun is intense — UV index 10 or above is routine between 10 AM and 3 PM. Your clothing choices on a boat day are both a comfort decision and a health one. The good news is that packing light is genuinely the right call here.
What to Wear
Start with a well-fitting swimsuit as your base layer. Board shorts, bikinis, and one-pieces all work — the key is choosing something you can move freely in, since you'll be climbing in and out of the water, sitting on lounge cushions, and potentially jumping from the stern platform. Bring a light cover-up or linen shirt for when you're out of the water; even a thin layer dramatically reduces sun exposure and the wind chill you'll feel once the boat gets up to speed.
A wide-brim sun hat (at least 3-inch brim) is one of the single most important items you can bring. Baseball caps leave your ears and neck exposed — exactly where you don't want a burn after 6 hours on the water. Pack a spare dry outfit for the ride back to port if you're going directly to dinner afterward.
Water shoes or reef sandals are worth the space in your bag. Many of our Cartagena charters anchor near the Islas del Rosario, where the seabed is rocky and studded with sea urchins. In Cancún, Isla Mujeres' Playa Norte has a sandy bottom but you'll thank yourself when boarding off a ladder onto a wet dive platform. Flip-flops are fine on deck, but not in the water.
Sun Protection: Your Most Important Category
Sunburn is the number-one complaint after a boat day, and it's entirely preventable. The combination of direct sunlight, reflected UV off the water surface, and sea breeze (which makes you feel cooler than you are) creates conditions where you can burn far faster than on a beach. Most people burn within 20 minutes of unprotected exposure at sea level in the tropics — and SPF 15 doesn't cut it here.
Sunscreen
Bring SPF 50+ reef-safe mineral sunscreen — and bring more than you think you need. A 6-hour charter for two adults requires at least a 6 oz bottle if you're reapplying every 90 minutes as recommended. Look for formulas with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient. These are effective immediately (no 20-minute wait time like chemical sunscreens) and safe for coral reefs. In Mexico, oxybenzone-based sunscreens are banned in marine protected areas around Cancún and Cozumel — bringing a reef-safe formula isn't just responsible, it's legally required in some anchorages.
Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before boarding, cover every exposed surface including the tops of your feet and the back of your hands, and reapply after every swim. Don't forget your lips — a tinted SPF 30 lip balm is a small addition with a big payoff.
Eyewear and UV Shirts
A quality pair of polarized sunglasses reduces glare off the water surface, protects against UV-related eye damage, and makes spotting marine life much easier. If you're snorkeling, pack a case — sunglasses left loose on deck have a habit of finding their way overboard. For extended sun exposure, a long-sleeve UPF 50 rash guard or swim shirt is more effective than sunscreen alone and won't wash off when you swim.
Tech and Photography Gear
A boat day produces some of the most stunning photos of any vacation, but it's also one of the fastest ways to destroy an unprotected device. Salt spray, splashing water, and the occasional unexpected wave are constants at sea.
Protecting Your Phone
A waterproof phone case is essential — not optional. Budget models from JOTO or Pelican start at around $15 and are available at most drugstores and Amazon. If you're serious about underwater photography, a dedicated housing for your phone (around $40–80) produces sharper images at depth. Always use a lanyard or wrist strap when shooting on deck — the combination of wind, waves, and excitement leads to more dropped phones than most people expect.
Action Cameras and Other Devices
A GoPro or DJI action camera is ideal for boat days — they're waterproof, mountable, and built for exactly this environment. Bring a fully charged spare battery (or a power bank rated 20,000 mAh or more for all-day charging) and a microSD card with at least 64 GB of space. Avoid bringing expensive DSLRs or mirrorless cameras unless you have a proper dry bag and a plan for keeping them away from spray. A waterproof floating camera strap adds peace of mind if you're shooting near the water's edge.
Bluetooth speakers are popular on charters — bring one that's rated IPX7 waterproof or better. The JBL Charge 5 and Ultimate Ears Boom 3 both perform well in marine environments.
Food and Drinks (BYO Tips)
Most Nauty 360 private charters are BYO for food and beverages unless you've added a catering package. This is actually one of the best parts of a private charter — you control exactly what's on board. Here's how to do it right.
For drinks, plan on at least 2 liters of water per person for a 6-hour charter, more if it's particularly hot. Alcohol dehydrates quickly in the sun, so alternate alcoholic drinks with water throughout the day. A soft-sided cooler with wheels (Yeti Hopper or RTIC Soft Pack) is easier to manage than a hard cooler on a dock. Pack ice in a separate bag rather than directly in with food to prevent everything from getting soggy. In Cartagena and Cancún, convenience stores (tiendas or OXXO) near the marina sell bag ice for about $2–3.
For food, think finger foods that don't require refrigeration for short periods: sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers, empanadas, granola bars. Avoid anything that needs to be cooked or kept precisely cold. If you want something more substantial, many marinas have local vendors who will deliver ceviche, shrimp cocktails, or food platters directly to the dock before departure — ask us at booking and we'll connect you with our preferred vendors in each destination.
Seasickness Prevention
Seasickness affects roughly one in three people to some degree — and Caribbean waters, while generally calmer than the open Atlantic, can get choppy in the afternoon when trade winds pick up. The good news is that modern prevention is highly effective if you plan ahead.
Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) or Bonine (meclizine) are the most widely available over-the-counter options. Take them 30–60 minutes before boarding — not after symptoms start. They cause drowsiness in some people, so test them at home first. Scopolamine transdermal patches (sold as Transderm Scōp) are prescription-only but highly effective for all-day charters; apply behind the ear 4 hours before departure. For those who prefer non-pharmaceutical options, ginger chews (Gin-Gins brand works well) and acupressure wristbands (Sea-Band) are genuinely helpful for mild cases.
On the day of the charter: eat a light, non-greasy meal before boarding, stay hydrated, avoid reading or looking at your phone while underway, and position yourself toward the middle of the boat near deck level — not in the bow or cabin, where motion is amplified. Fresh air and a fixed horizon are your best friends if you start to feel unwell.
Documents and Essentials
Don't leave the dock without these. For international charters in Colombia, Mexico, or the Dominican Republic, you'll want your valid passport — not just a photo on your phone, but the physical document. Some anchorages near the Islas del Rosario in Cartagena require passengers to show ID at the Parque Nacional Natural control point.
Bring a small amount of local cash for tips, beach vendors, or a cold beer at an island bar. In Cartagena: 20,000–50,000 COP ($5–12 USD). In Cancún and Casa de Campo: $20–40 USD cash covers most extras. Secure your cash and any cards in a ziplock bag inside your dry bag — salt water and wallets are a bad combination. Travel insurance documentation is also worth having on hand, especially for fishing charters or any activity involving equipment.
Pack any prescription medications you take daily in a clearly labeled waterproof container. If you use an EpiPen or carry other emergency medication, inform your captain at the start of the charter — they'll know where the first aid kit is and how to respond appropriately.
What NOT to Bring on a Boat Trip
Knowing what to leave behind is just as important as knowing what to pack. Hard-shell luggage has no place on a boat — it's awkward to stow, takes up valuable deck space, and can scratch fiberglass surfaces. Jewelry and valuables are best left at the hotel safe; salt water and chlorine accelerate tarnishing, and rough water makes drops more likely. Conventional (non-reef-safe) sunscreens are harmful to marine ecosystems and restricted in many of the best snorkeling areas we visit.
Skip the heavy glass bottles — most operators (including us) prefer canned beverages or plastic for safety on deck. Glass shards and bare feet are a serious hazard. Large beach umbrellas are impractical and create a sail effect that can cause problems in wind. And finally: don't bring anything you'd be devastated to lose. Things get wet. Things fall overboard. The ocean is beautiful and completely indifferent to the cost of your sunglasses.