Have you checked out our St. Martin boat charters and are you planning a sailing adventure in the Caribbean with Pyratz? In this article we’ll give you some tips on what to bring for a boat charter with us, whether it’s for a day charter or if you’re planning a long-term Caribbean sailing vacation to be on our boats for a few days.
If you are planning a sail trip to St Martin, we have another article that might be of your interest: What’s the best time to sail in the Caribbean?
Pack Smart for Your Caribbean Sailing Trip: The Musts & the Misses
You don’t feel like reading the whole article below? Don’t worry, here you have the quick list about the recommended and not recommended items for your Caribbean sailing trip:
✅ What to Bring for Your Caribbean Sailing Trip
- Lightweight, breathable clothing – Think cotton or linen to stay cool in the tropical heat.
- Swimwear (at least 2 sets) – One for the water, one to dry. Perfect for multi-day trips.
- Sun protection gear – A rash guard, wide-brim hat, and polarized sunglasses are your best friends out here.
- Reef-safe sunscreen & after-sun lotion – We’ve got some on board, but if you’re traveling longer, pack your own.
- Footwear for all situations – Flip-flops, water shoes, and non-marking boat shoes will cover all your bases.
- Dry bag – Essential for keeping electronics and valuables safe from splashes.
- Seasickness remedies – Especially if you’re hopping between boats or unsure of your sea legs.
- Quick-dry towel – Light, compact, and dries in no time—perfect for life on deck.
- Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated during excursions and beach stops.
- Waterproof phone case – Great for those dreamy underwater or beach pics.
- Small backpack or day bag – Handy for island exploring and carrying your daily essentials.
- A good book or e-reader – For chill days stretched out on the deck.
🚫 What Not to Bring on Your Caribbean Sailing Trip
- Hard suitcases – They’re bulky and hard to store in tight cabin spaces. Opt for a soft, foldable duffel bag instead.
- High heels or dress shoes – Not only impractical on a boat, but totally unnecessary. Think casual, comfy, and boat-safe.
- Too many clothes – Trust us, you’ll live in swimwear and a couple of light outfits. Pack light—you won’t regret it.
- Heavy makeup or hair tools – The ocean breeze and salty air call for an easy, natural look.
- Expensive jewelry or valuables – Saltwater and adventure don’t mix well with sentimental or pricey items.
- Large beach towels – They take forever to dry and eat up space. Quick-dry towels are your go-to.
- Disposable plastic bottles or bags – Not eco-friendly and not needed. Reusable gear is the way to go.
- Books you feel obligated to read – Bring only what you’ll actually enjoy during downtime. This is your vacation.
The Essentials: Pack Light and Smart
When it comes to sailing the Caribbean, less is truly more. Packing light and smart isn’t just a travel hack—it’s the key to a stress-free, comfortable adventure at sea. With limited space on board, every item you bring should earn its spot.
Think breathable fabrics, versatile pieces, and travel-friendly gear that will keep you cool, sun-protected, and ready for anything—from snorkeling to sunset dinners.
From our crew to you:
We’ve seen it all—overstuffed bags, forgotten flip-flops, and the “I-wish-I-had-packed-this” moments. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you bring just what you need (and nothing you don’t) for the smoothest, sunniest trip possible.
Here’s our ultimate packing guide for a dream Caribbean sailing experience. Let’s keep it light, simple, and full of good vibes. Focus on what matters most: clothing, sun protection, and smart essentials. Simple, efficient, and ready for the sea.
About the clothing
Lightweight, breathable fabrics are best. Opt for cotton or linen shirts, shorts and dresses to stay cool under the Caribbean sun. Swimwear is essential as you will be in and out of the water all day. If you are sailing with us for a few days on a multi-day charter, we recommend at least 2 sets of quick-drying swimsuits.
A light jacket or sweater is also recommended, as evenings at sea or on the beach can be chilly, even in summer.
You will probably want to spend some evenings out, so bring evening wear (1-2 outfits) that is casual, stretchy and fresh. The islands of St. Martin, St. Barts and Anguilla have a smart-casual dress code everywhere, so there’s no need to bring your most fancy outfit (which probably won’t be the most comfortable one either).
About the sun protection
Protect yourself from UV rays without having to apply sunscreen all the time: long-sleeved sun shirts, rash guards or sarongs will do the job easily.
If you are staying in St. Martin, Anguilla or St. Barts for a few days longer than your cruise with us, reef safe sunscreen is also a must. Pyratz provides sunscreen while you are on our boats, but bringing extra will ensure you have enough for your entire stay in the Caribbean. After-sun lotion (aloe vera) is also essential to soothe any accidental sunburn. In case your forget to bring it, you will find sunscreen and after-sun on our boutique and on every supermarket around the island.
On board Pyratz, we use Sun Bum sunscreen—not just because it works well, but because protecting your skin shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense—and with Sun Bum, it doesn’t have to.
Hat & polarized sunglasses are also very useful at sea. A wide-brimmed hat will protect your face and ears, and a pair of polarized sunglasses will help shield you from the glare of the water’s surface sunlight, which can be too intense after a few hours at sea.
Flip-flops and water shoes are a must in any sailing trip. Flip-flops are essential for beach landings, lounging onboard and for walking around when you disembark. Water shoes are very handy for the exploration of rocky shores or coral reefs.
We would also recommend to bring non-marking boat shoes or sandals: avoid black-soled shoes that can stain the boat’s deck. Casual shoes like sandals and sneakers will do a perfect job if you plan to walk around for shopping or going for dinner in town.
About the smart ones
A dry bag will keep your phone, wallet, and electronics safe in case you accidentaly drop them in the water while on the boat or during dinghy rides from the boat to the shore, and will also protect them from the moisture and sand of the ocean. If you want to give your electronics the best protection possible while on the boat, a dry bag is a great idea.
Catamarans like the ones we have are more stable than classic sailboats, but there are still people who are more prone to motion sickness than others. Onboard our boats you will find seasickness remedies in the unlikely event that someone feels more than butterflies in their stomach, but if you plan to jump on other boats a lot, or travel between islands by boat and you are prone to seasickness, it may be wise to bring your own pills or buy them in a pharmacy upon arrival.
On our boats you will have all the needed items for personal hygiene, like you would find on any hotel. But in case you want to bring your own opt for travel-sized toiletries -shampoos, body soaps- that are biodegradable to minimize environmental impact. The Caribbean Sea is a great natural gem and we should keep it like that!
Also is a good idea to bring a book or e-reader for relaxing afternoons on deck in case you get tired of water activities.
A small backpack to carry your belongings and water for island excursions, shopping days in Anguilla or St Barts, or to carry your things from the dinghy to the boat is also a good idea.
A quick-dry towel comes in handy for stops at the beach, and a reusable water bottle ensures that you can carry water with you wherever you go.
A waterproof phone case lets you capture underwater moments with your own phone, and is a great addition to your luggage for taking underwater photos on your snorkeling trips.
By the way, if you are into snorkeling, we have an article about the best snorkeling spots in the island of St Martin
The no go list: what not to bring
Large hard-shell suitcases are difficult to store and move around in a boat. If you like rolling luggage, choose the smallest version you have.
Since you will be spending a lot of time in and out of the water, we recommend not bringing a lot of jewelry or valuables: keep it simple to avoid loss!
Heavy denim, formal wear and closed shoes are not comfortable in the Caribbean heat: you probably won’t wear any of them and they will take up a lot of space in your luggage. If you want to go out and dress up, choose light linen and cotton pants, shirts, dresses, and a pair of nice sandals or breathable sneakers that are nice with a formal touch as mentioned above.
Speaking of hair dryers, we have them on our boats and you will also find them on most of the hotels and accommodations on land. Or you can also forget about them and let the Caribbean breeze do the work when it comes to drying your hair!
BONUS TIP: We have everything you may need in our Boutique
The Caribbean is all about relaxation and adventure. Packing easy will make your sailing trip much more enjoyable. At Pyratz we provide some essentials for any sailing trip such as sunscreen and snorkel gear, and if you forget anything, our boutique has everything you need for a last minute shopping run before you jump on our boats.
Ready to set sail to enjoy the Caribbean waters of St Martin, Anguilla and St Barts?
You can check all the charters we have available for you in our book page, or check charters by departing island:
Book your dream Caribbean boat charter with Pyratz today!
Bon voyage!
