What to pack for a boat day (and what to leave).
Most of what you need is already on board. Here is what we provide, and the short list of what to bring yourself.
Guests often bring things that are already on board. Before you pack, check what the boat provides and what you need to bring.
Already on the boat
- Towels, one per guest.
- Snorkel masks and fins in a range of sizes.
- A stand-up paddleboard on most tour boats.
- Chilled water and soft drinks, and wine on sunset cruises.
- Shade: a bimini on the speedboats, a saloon on the yachts.
- USB charging and dry storage for bags.
Bring these six things
- Swimwear under your clothes, as the first swim stop comes soon after departure.
- High-SPF sunscreen, as the sun reflects off the water. Choose a reef-safe one if you can.
- A hat with a strap or clip, so it stays on at speed.
- Sunglasses, ideally polarised, for the glare off the water.
- A light layer for the return trip, when the afternoon wind picks up.
- A zip pocket or waterproof pouch for your phone.
Cross-border trips
Trips to Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Kotor, Mostar and the Bay of Kotor by boat, cross an international border. Every guest needs a valid document, including children: a national ID card or passport for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, a passport for everyone else.
Leave at the hotel
Hard-soled shoes (bare feet or boat shoes on board), drones (flying near the Old Town needs a permit), large inflatables (the wind takes them) and anything you would not want to lose overboard. There is a dry locker for valuables, but it is simpler to leave them ashore.
What to bring on a boat trip in Dubrovnik, trip by trip
What to bring on a boat trip in Dubrovnik depends mostly on how long you are out and whether you go ashore. The six things above cover every trip; these are the extras by route.
- Half-day tours and the sunset cruise: nothing beyond the basic list. You are back before lunch or dinner.
- Full-day Elaphiti: a card or some cash for lunch ashore, which is not included, and a T-shirt to put on in the village.
- Mljet National Park: trainers or strapped sandals for the gravel paths around the lakes, plus money for the park ticket, which is paid at the entrance, and for bike rental if you want to cycle the loop. Details are on the Mljet tour page.
- Korčula: shoes with grip for the polished stone streets and stairs of the old town, and money for lunch.
- Montenegro and the Bay of Kotor: a valid document for every guest, as described above. Keep it somewhere dry.
Food, drinks and music
Drinks are on board on most boats, so there is no need to carry water or soft drinks. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and fruit. Full meals are not prepared on board as standard; for lunch we stop at a restaurant ashore, and the crew can book a table for you. If you would like food on the boat, cold platters and sharing boards can be arranged on request.
There are Bluetooth speakers on board, so bring a playlist downloaded to your phone, as mobile signal can be weak in some coves.
Packing for children
Our private tours work for all ages, including small children. Lifejackets are on board for every guest; tell us the children’s ages when you book. For the children themselves, pack:
- Swim nappies for babies and toddlers.
- A long-sleeved UV swim shirt, which is easier than reapplying sunscreen on a child who swims every hour.
- A full change of dry clothes for the ride home.
- Their favourite snack. We can also stock child-friendly snacks and drinks if you tell us in advance.
- Small toys or a book for the longer legs; leave large inflatables at the hotel.
If you get seasick
Most of our routes stay in sheltered water between the islands, where the motion is small. If you know you are prone to seasickness, tell us when you book; we plan a calmer route and timing and can recommend a remedy. On the day:
- If you use motion-sickness tablets, take them before departure as the pack directs. Pharmacies in Dubrovnik sell them without a prescription.
- Eat a light breakfast; an empty stomach makes it worse.
- Sit towards the back and the middle of the boat and look at the horizon rather than your phone.
- Go easy on alcohol until you know how you feel.
For guests who are sensitive, a catamaran is the steadiest boat in the fleet.
Heat in July and August
In midsummer the sun on the water is stronger than it feels with the breeze. Drink water through the day, not only when you are thirsty; there is chilled water on board. A long-sleeved shirt or a light cover-up is worth more than extra sunscreen at midday, and after-sun lotion helps in the evening. Reapply sunscreen after every swim, and use the bimini or the saloon during the hottest hours.
The evening before
- Check your messages. We watch the forecast and contact you the day before if conditions look uncertain. If it is not safe, you can reschedule or receive a full refund of your deposit.
- Confirm the pick-up. Hotel transfer is included on most boats; check the time and whether you board at Cavtat, Lapad, ACI Marina Komolac or the Old Port.
- Charge your phone and put the documents and money for the day in one bag.
More answers on booking, boarding and weather are in our FAQ, and the full list of routes is on the private boat tours page.
