Boat trip GetBoat
Out on the water — deck-safe shoes, dry bags, and the gear that keeps a good day from turning into a wet one.
Packing for a boat trip means packing for two things at once: everything getting wet, and everything getting sunburned. Motion sickness tablets work best taken thirty to sixty minutes before boarding — once symptoms start, they're much harder to treat. Many marine parks and reef destinations require mineral, reef-safe sunscreen by law, so a regular bottle from home might not be enough, or might get you turned away at the dock. Deck shoes with non-marking, grippy soles aren't a suggestion either — plenty of charters won't let you board in sandals or flip-flops.
Even a domestic day charter usually asks for ID to log passengers, and if the route crosses a border by water, your passport does double duty there. Take motion sickness tablets early — once you're already feeling it, they work far less well.
Spray comes over the side even on a calm day, so a waterproof jacket earns its space, and quick-dry fabric means you're not spending the rest of the trip in wet cotton.
A single wave is enough to end a phone that isn't in a waterproof pouch. Boats rarely have anywhere to plug in, so a charged power bank is what keeps your phone alive as your camera and backup navigation.
Sun reflects off the water on top of hitting you directly, so regular SPF wears off faster out here than it would on land. Some marine parks allow only reef-safe, mineral sunscreen — worth checking before you buy.
Check your life jacket's fit before you leave the dock, not after you're already out on the water — rental fits vary more than people expect. A dry bag protects your phone and documents from spray, not just a downpour, and non-marking deck shoes are often a requirement, not a preference.
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