Sailing holiday - what do I need to take?

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

We are going on a sailing holiday next week, to Greece. I've never been sailing before. Its hand luggage only so I'm packing light but definitely need to fit in water shoes, sandals, mask and snorkel which doesn't allow for much else! I'm thinking a couple of vest tops, a couple of pairs of shorts, big shirt/cover up as I burn easily, one floaty dress in case we go out in the evening (will probably only do so a couple of times), 2 swim costumes plus underwear. Will travel in cropped trousers, t shirt, sweatshirt and trainers. Will buy toiletries etc when we arrive.

Is there anything else I've forgotten? Is there anything I can lose to reduce the amount I'm trying to fit in the case?

Are you staying on the boat?

You may want a bungee to hold your sunglasses on, and a waterproof case/lanyard for your phone. Mountain warehouse or amazon would stock them.

Wet wipes are v useful.

also a light sarong will do instead of a towel if that helps.

A couple of clothes pegs to hang up your swim stuff to dry

Depending on where you're going. If staying on board you may find you spend all day in your swim costume so you only then need something to wear in the evening and to travel. If it were me I'd be taking:

swimmers,
Reef sandals
trek towel or sarong
A couple of easy dresses for evening and underwear (again, I wouldn't take 7 pairs if staying on boat for a week)
Flip-flops
Sunglasses + bungee
Suncream
Shirt to cover up
Waterproof phone case
Adaptor
Ear plugs
Eye mask
Ginger tea (for seasickness) in ziplock bag
Plug adaptor

Rucksack

Thanks, that's really helpful. Yes, staying on the boat with friends. DH has sailed before but is clueless about what I might need!
Towels are provided on the boat apparently but you're not supposed to take them to the beach so am taking a v lightweight travel towel. Not sure we will be on the beach that much.

Last sailing holiday I went on was when I was 12, so probably not much help!
A shirt to go over a swimming costume is a definite as well as a light cardigan as it can be cooler at night. A hat.
If it's a flotilla holiday you might be anchoring and going for meals, so a wee dress?

Really depends on what the itinerary is.

If mainly on boat and eating on boat or anchoring each evening and eating ashore?

Boat.

2 swimwear
Sarong
2 shirts and 2 tops
Flip flops
Cover up.

If eating ashore a lot then

2-3 light dresses
Light cardi
Sandals

Then take the travel wash as clothes blow dry easily on a boat if you need to wash them!

Then
sunglasses and cord
Travel adaptor
Microfibre towel
Few pegs
Waterproof Phone case

Have a fab time. I spent a season working for sunsail in Greece many decades ago and loved sailing around all the islands.

If you buy small vacuum back bags with a hand pump your space will go much further!!!

In that case lightweight dresses are ideal because you can sling them on over swimsuit for breakfast etc and don't need PJs unless you're attached to yours.

Depending on the type of boat a pillowcase can be handy to stuff with clothes and use as a pillow!

Thanks, especially for the advice re vacuum.backpack - who knew?

It's not a flotilla holiday, just us and friends hiring a boat and doing our own thing. We might go out to eat one evening, two at most. Otherwise we'll be eating on the boat.

It's a Sunsail boat and it says it comes with snorkels and masks but I'd prefer my own ones if I can fit them in!

My worry is that it will be really windy and ill be frozen as I'm.only taking lightweight clothes.

It seems to be very well equipped with bedding, towels, ceiling fans, USB ports etc.

Should have said vacuum pack bags!!!

Don't think the backpack will suck in but you can certainly do the contents!!

(Bloody autocorrect!)

Things you will NOT be able to do without

• suncream, high factor (50)
• cap rather than a hat
• I’d take one light long sleeve tshirt in case you still get sunburnt and want some added protection
• a jumper fir the evening - it can feel surprisingly chilly at night when you’ve been in the sun all day.
• a pair of light trainers whilst on the boat. It’s amazing the number if things you can bash your feet on when you’re not used to it?

Then the rest will depend on what you are doing.

Are you settling down in a Harbor every night or anchoring the boat in a nice place for tte evening? Are you planning days in shore or staying in the boat the whole time? Etc..
Pack light. You won’t need to get changed 10 times in the day. Nor will you need proper ‘going out’ clothes.

Hat or cap with a cord to secure that too.

I wouldnt worry about it being cold if it’s windy. It’s Greece at the end of June. If anything, you’ll struggle with the heat.

Having a fleece jumper is a good idea. But I doubt you’ll need more.

Thanks @MagicBullet . A few years ago we were in Greece and hired a motorboat (small day boat) for the day. There was a huge amount of spray and a bit of wind and I was absolutely frozen, so I think that has coloured my experience!

Being in a sailing boat is very different than a small motorboat. The height of the boat makes a huge difference :)

Mosquito repellent, bite cream, sun lotion.

Good point!

If you’re going to be handling ropes, gloves.

Travel sickness meds. Seriously.

Books.
Playing cards for the evenings
Spare sunglasses as if yours go overboard and you are remote you'll be stuck.
Lip balm

You can probably manage with one pair of shorts and a couple of tops.
A dress or two. Two sets of swimmers. Sarong. Agree something lightweight with long sleeves.
Hat essential
Travel wash

Stugeron
Cap and hair ties
Trainer type shoes / crocs for on board
Water shoes
Swimwear and cover up x 2
Polarised wrap around sunnies with strap - essential that they're wrap around and polarised!
Backpack / cross body bag
Couple of shorts / t shirts / dress that doesn't crease
Cardi
Factor 50 suncream
Refillable water bottle - eg chillys

You tend to find everyone wears swimwear all day, just pops on cover ups as required.
If you're going ashore in a dinghy to a restaurant or shop it's handy to have a hands free bag. Restaurants frequented by sailors tend to be quite relaxed in terms of dress so I tend to take some jewellery and smarter sandals to dress up an outfit if eating out. I don't even bother with makeup.
It's easy to get dehydrated and if it's a rented boat you won't want to drink the water on board. Get big bottles and decant into the smaller one to have on deck.
We avoid beaches and just swim off the boat - there are usually towels on board.

Lots of hair ties if you use them - I always get very annoyed with my hair when sailing.

Comfy shoes for the boat - as above, crocs work well - barefoot isn't a good idea

Pjs depending on where the facilities are if you need a wee in the night! ;-)

Book, cards

Hi everyone

Thanks for all the advice. We've just got back from our sailing holiday and had a wonderful time. As pp said, we lived in swimming stuff 90%of the time. I took two floaty cotton cover ups as well because I burn very easily.

We went ashore a couple of times so I did wear clothes then!