Whitsundays Charter Packing List
The Whitsundays Packing List — What to Bring, What to LeaveSoft bags not suitcases, reef-safe sunscreen, and the one jacket everyone forgets. The honest packing list from crews who've done it.
Pack These First
Five things that make or break a charter week — everything else is negotiable.
Reef-safe SPF50+
Tropical UV off water and sand is fierce. Reef-safe formula protects the coral you came to see.
Polarised sunglasses
Cut the water glare for helm time and spot turtles and reef from the deck.
Wide-brim hat with a cord
The trade winds take hats daily. A chin cord is the difference.
One warm layer
June–August nights drop to ~18°C — a fleece or hoodie for cockpit evenings.
Reef shoes + sandals
Coral is sharp, sand is hot at midday in summer, and tracks are rocky.
| Category | Pack | Leave |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes | Swimmers x2, rash guard, light cottons, fleece (winter) | Jeans, heavy fabrics, 'nice' outfits |
| Sun | SPF50+ reef-safe, zinc stick, aloe gel | Bronzers, non-reef-safe sprays |
| Water | Clobber/water shoes, sandals | Heels, anything you love losing to the sea |
| Gear | Phone pouch, headlamp, power bank | Hair dryers (power is precious), drones (permits) |
| Medical | Seasickness tablets, paracetamol, motion-bands | Full pharmacy — boats carry first aid |
| Documents | Licence/passport copy, booking details | Printed guidebooks — you have us |
Boats supply: bedding, towels (confirm), snorkel gear (often), safety equipment, first aid.
The One-Bag Rule
Everything you need for a week on the water fits one soft duffel. Anything more fights you at every hatch, ladder and cabin.
Provisioning GuideWhy Less Is More
- Storage is tight — Cabin lockets are small; soft bags collapse and stow, hard cases don't
- You'll live in swimmers — Deck to dinghy to beach to water — most days need two outfits total
- Laundry doesn't exist — Rinse and line-dry; quick-dry fabrics earn their place
- Power is managed — Boats run generators/engines for power — leave the high-draw kit home
- Everything gets salty — Nothing precious: the sea humbles cameras, leather and egos
- Marina nights are the exception — Hamilton Island dinner doesn't need a suit — smart-casual covers it
Season tweaks
June–August: add the warm layer and light long pants for evenings; water is 21–23°C (some bring shorty wetsuits for long snorkels). November–May: stinger suit — provided by most operators, but confirm — plus the lightest clothing you own. Seasickness tablets belong in every season's bag; take the first dose before you board, not after you feel it. Timing the trip: best time to sail. Feeding the crew: provisioning guide.
Your Questions, Answered
How much luggage can we bring?
One soft bag per person, genuinely. Taxis, trolleys, cabin hatchways and stowage all punish hard cases.
Do boats supply towels and bedding?
Bedding always; towels usually — confirm with your operator, and pack a beach towel regardless.
Is snorkel gear provided?
Most bareboats include masks and snorkels; fins often too. Bring your own mask if you're fussy about fit.
Do we need seasickness medication?
Bring it even if you never get seasick — the passage's chop catches people out. Take the first dose before boarding.
Can we charge phones and cameras?
Yes — boats have 12V and often inverters. Bring a car-charger style USB and a power bank for beach days.
What about valuables?
Leave them home. Between salt, sand and swim stops, the charter week punishes anything you'd hate to lose.
Packed. Provisioned. Priced?
The last box: what your week actually costs.
Check Charter Prices