What to Bring
Packing for a bareboat charter is easy. Your boat comes fully equipped with linen, bath towels, a well-stocked galley and snorkelling gear, so you only need the essentials for life on the water. Pack light, pack soft, and bring a sense of adventure.
Top packing tips
- Pack in soft bags. Storage on board is compact, and soft luggage folds away easily. Hard suitcases are hard to stow
- Think sun and salt. Lightweight, sun-safe clothing, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen will get daily use
- Barefoot is the norm. You’ll spend most of your time on board without shoes
- Bring polarised sunglasses. They cut glare and help you spot reef and shallow water when entering anchorages
- Stock up before you sail. Food, drinks and ice aren’t included, so shop in Airlie Beach before you depart
- Arriving early? Luggage can be stored at our office while you wait for transport
| Clothing & Footwear | Sun & Water | ||
| Swimwear | You’ll be in and out of the water every day | Reef-safe sunscreen | High SPF and gentle on the coral |
| Lightweight, sun-safe clothing | Long sleeves and light fabrics protect you from the tropical sun | Wide-brimmed hat | Shade on deck and ashore |
| Jacket or jumper | Evenings can be cool from June to August | Polarised sunglasses | Spot reef and shallow water when entering anchorages. Available in Airlie Beach |
| Smart casual outfit | For dinner at an island resort or in Airlie Beach | Stinger suits | Recommended from November to May (marine stinger season). Bring your own or hire from the dive shop |
| Flip flops or reef shoes | For beaching the dinghy and walking on sand and rocks | Beach towels | Bring separate towels for swimming and the beach |
| Comfortable walking shoes | For bushwalks to island lookouts | ||
| Enclosed shoes | Some resorts require them for dining | ||
| Health & Personal | Tech & Extras | ||
| Personal medications | Bring enough for your whole trip | Phone charging cables | 12V outlets and an inverter (minimum 300W) are on board, but cables aren’t supplied |
| Pain relief & seasickness tablets | We’re legally unable to stock these in the on-board first aid kit | Fishing gear | Rod holders are on board. Check Marine Park zoning maps before you fish. Basic kits are also available for hire. |
| Insect repellent | For sunset on deck and walks ashore | Camera | For the reef, the beaches and the wildlife |
| Toiletries | Shampoo, soap and personal items | Fin sizes for your crew | Tell us before you arrive, so your snorkelling gear is ready for collection |
| CPAP or sleep apnoea machine | Bring a 6 m 240V extension lead to use it on shore power | A sense of adventure | The most important thing to pack |
| Kids | |||
| Children’s life jacket | We provide them free of charge, fitted and collected from our office before you depart. You’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer | ||
| Kids’ stinger suits | For swimming during stinger season or hire from the dive shop. | ||
| Games & books | For quiet time at anchor | ||
Leave at Home
| Hard suitcases | They’re difficult to store on board, and damage the boats. Soft bags only |
| Hair dryers and straighteners | The inverter can’t power high-wattage appliances |
| Coffee machines and blenders | Also too powerful for the inverter. A kettle and coffee plunger are on board |
| Linen and bath towels | Already supplied (included in the sundries) |
| Snorkelling gear | Already supplied (bring your own mask if you prefer) |
| A mutinous crew | Best left on shore |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I bring a hard suitcase? We recommend soft bags only. Storage on board is compact and hard suitcases are difficult to stow.
Do I need to bring towels? Bath towels are supplied (two per person). Bring separate beach towels for swimming.
Do I need a stinger suit? Stinger suits are recommended from November to May. Bring your own or hire one from the dive shop at Coral Sea Marina.
Can I use a hair dryer on board? No. The 300W inverter can’t power hair dryers, straighteners, coffee machines or blenders.
What should I bring for the kids? Stinger suits in season, and games or books for quiet time at anchor. Kids’ life jackets are free to collect from our office.
Where can I leave my luggage? Our office can store luggage while you wait for transport.
Bags packed? The islands are waiting.
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Questions about what to bring? Talk to our team on 07 4946 5222, available 7 days a week.
What to Bring
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