Planning a boat trip
What to bring on a boat day from Split
The short, honest packing list for a boat day from Split: what is already on board, what you need to add, and the few things people always forget.
A boat day from Split is one of the more effortless days you can have on holiday. The crew handles the boat, the snorkelling gear and the towels are on board, and the route is planned before you step off the dock. There is not much to bring. Here is the honest list.
What is already on board
On our crewed charters:
- Drinks and snacks — cold water, soft drinks and some snacks are on board throughout the day.
- Snorkelling sets — masks, fins and snorkels for everyone.
- Beach towels — clean, dry and ready.
- First aid — the crew carries a kit and knows how to use it.
- Life jackets — in adult and child sizes, and the crew will go through safety briefly before you leave.
You do not need to bring any of this. The point of a crewed charter is that the day is organised.
What to bring
Sunscreen — and plenty of it. The reflected light off the water is more intense than you expect, and an Adriatic sun at noon is serious. Apply before you leave the dock, reapply after swimming, and use a reef-safe mineral formula in the bays. Regular sunscreen washes off in the water and damages the marine environment.
Swimwear — at least one change, because you will be in and out of the water several times and sitting in wet swimwear between swims gets old.
A light layer — a shirt, a cover-up or a light linen layer for the open-water stretches. A boat at speed feels cooler than a beach, and the middle of a crossing is not comfortable in just a bikini top on a breezy day.
Shoes you do not mind getting wet — flat sandals with a strap, water shoes or just bare feet are all fine. Flip-flops flip off on a moving boat. Leave anything with a heel ashore.
Cash — if your day includes the Blue Cave, the entrance ticket is cash-only (around 18 to 25 euros). Smaller harbour restaurants and beach bars often prefer cash too. 50 euros per person is a comfortable buffer.
A hat — the obvious one that people always forget. There is bimini shade on the boat but it does not cover everywhere, and heads burn.
Sunglasses — polarised ones are significantly better on the water. They cut the glare off the surface and let you actually see the colour of the sea.
A small dry bag — for your phone, cards and passport if you are bringing them. The boat is not a wet environment if you are careful, but spray happens. A small waterproof pouch for valuables costs almost nothing and ends a lot of potential worry.
What to leave at the hotel
- Anything breakable or expensive that does not need to be there.
- Hard-sided luggage or large bags — there is limited storage and the day goes better light.
- Expensive trainers or shoes — they will be in a locker while you swim, and boats are hard on footwear.
- Heels of any kind.
A note on phones
Your phone will spend most of the day competing with the view for your attention. The sea around Split is genuinely one of the most photogenic stretches of the Mediterranean, and a good waterproof phone case is worth having. The crew can always take a photo of the group from the helm.
For everything else about planning the day, the boat tour price guide covers what is included in what, and the things to do on the water guide covers the routes. When you are ready, send us your dates and group size.
Common questions
- What should I wear on a boat day in Croatia?
- Swimwear is the base layer for the day. Bring a light cover-up or shirt for the cruising stretches, which feel cooler at speed. Flat shoes or water sandals are safer than flip-flops on a moving boat, and bare feet are fine on deck. Avoid heels and anything you would mind getting wet or saltwater on.
- Is sunscreen safe to use in the water near the boat?
- Choose a reef-safe, mineral sunscreen if you are swimming in natural bays. Standard sunscreen washes off and damages the marine environment, particularly in the shallow, clear bays like the Blue Lagoon and Stiniva. Apply early and let it absorb before you go in.
- Do I need to bring snorkelling gear?
- Not on a crewed charter. On our boats snorkelling sets are on board for everyone. If you have your own and prefer it, bring it, but you do not need to buy or carry anything.
- What about sea sickness?
- If you are prone to sea sickness, take a non-drowsy tablet or use a patch the evening before or morning of, not once you are already on the water. The Adriatic is generally calm in summer but the open stretches to the southern islands can be lively on a windy day. Tell the crew if you feel unwell early — there are things a skipper can do with the route and the speed.
- How much cash do I need on a boat day from Split?
- Bring some. The Blue Cave entrance ticket is cash-only, around 18 to 25 euros per person depending on the season. Lunch at a harbour restaurant or a drink at a beach bar typically has a card reader, but smaller places and moorings often prefer cash. 50 euros per person covers most contingencies comfortably.
- Can I bring a bag on the boat?
- Yes, but keep it small and soft-sided. There is limited storage below. A drawstring bag or a soft tote is easier than a hard-sided case. Anything you are not actively using can go into the cabin.