Guide · Updated 2026-08-26
What to Bring on a St Barts Boat Day (and What to Leave)
The dry-bag list, perfected: what comes aboard, what stays ashore, what everyone forgets.
The dry bag’s contents
Reef-safe sunscreen (the reserve asks, the turtles thank), a long-sleeved sun layer, polarised sunglasses with a strap, a hat that ties, phone in a pouch, cash for the beach shack that takes nothing else, and the medication case even ’never seasick’ guests quietly appreciate.
What the boat already has
Snorkel gear, towels, ice, water, shade and usually an apéritif: doubling these wastes bag space. One considered tote per couple is the connoisseur’s load — the pile of beach bags belongs to first-timers.
What to leave at the villa
Anything that hates salt: leather, linen you love, watches with opinions, the drone the reserve forbids anyway. And leave the schedule — a boat day with an itinerary is a meeting on water.
The three most-forgotten items
Lip balm with SPF (the reflection burns from below), a warm layer for the ride home at dusk, and the pre-charged camera battery. Crews can improvise many things; golden-hour power is not one. The rest of the day’s design lives in the charter guide.
Questions
What shoes for a boat day?
None — barefoot rules aboard. Sandals travel in the bag for the beach landing; white soles only if you must.
Can we bring our own wine?
Most day charters welcome it chilled and ready; tell the crew ahead so the right glasses are aboard.