5 min readpractical

What to Pack for a Greek Yacht Charter

The essential packing guide — what to bring, what to leave behind, and why soft bags are your best friend.

In This Guide

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The Golden Rule: Soft Bags Only

The single most important packing tip for a yacht charter: **bring soft bags, not hard suitcases.** Yacht cabins have limited storage, and rigid suitcases simply don't fit in the curved compartments and under-bed spaces. A soft duffel bag or backpack can be folded and stowed once unpacked. Most charter yachts will specifically request that you bring soft luggage. If you arrive with a hard Samsonite, the crew will store it in the tender garage — but you'll need to unpack everything first.

Pro Tip

A good-quality duffel bag (60–80 litres) is the perfect yacht charter bag. Many experienced charterers have a dedicated 'yacht bag' they use every year.

Clothing Essentials

Yacht life is wonderfully casual. You'll spend most of your time in swimwear and cover-ups. Here's what to pack for a 7-night charter: **Swimwear:** 2–3 swimsuits (they need time to dry between uses) **Cover-ups:** 2–3 lightweight cover-ups, kaftans, or sarongs **Shorts & T-shirts:** 3–4 casual outfits for going ashore **Evening wear:** 2–3 smart-casual outfits for dinners ashore (linen trousers/dress + nice top) **Light jacket:** 1 light windbreaker or cardigan for evening breezes **Hat:** A wide-brimmed sun hat (essential — the Greek sun is intense) **Underwear & sleepwear:** As needed **What NOT to pack:** Formal clothing (no restaurant in the Greek islands requires a jacket and tie), heavy shoes, excessive outfits. You'll wear the same 3–4 things on rotation and nobody cares.

Footwear

**White or light-soled deck shoes:** Essential. Dark soles mark the teak deck and the crew will (politely) ask you to change. Boat shoes, white-soled trainers, or deck sandals all work. **Flip-flops/sandals:** For going ashore and beach visits. **Comfortable walking shoes:** One pair for exploring villages and archaeological sites. **Water shoes:** Optional but useful for rocky beaches and getting in and out of the tender. That's it. Four pairs of shoes maximum. Leave the heels and dress shoes at home.

Pro Tip

Buy a pair of Sperry boat shoes or similar before your charter. They're comfortable, non-marking, and grip wet decks. You'll wear them every day.

Sun Protection

The Greek summer sun is powerful — especially reflected off the water. Sun protection is not optional: **Sunscreen:** SPF 50, reef-safe if possible. Bring more than you think you'll need. Reapply every 2 hours. **Sunglasses:** Polarised lenses are essential on the water. Bring a retainer strap so they don't end up at the bottom of the Aegean. **Sun hat:** Wide-brimmed for maximum protection. **Rash guard/UV top:** For snorkelling and extended water activities. **After-sun lotion:** For the inevitable first-day overexposure. The reflection off the water intensifies UV exposure. You will burn faster on a yacht than on a beach. Take sun protection seriously — a bad sunburn on day one can ruin the rest of your charter.

Electronics & Gadgets

**Waterproof phone case:** Essential for tender rides, water sports, and beach visits. **Portable charger:** Cabins have charging points, but a portable charger is useful for long days ashore. **Underwater camera/GoPro:** For snorkelling and water sports footage. **Bluetooth speaker:** Most yachts have onboard sound systems, but a portable speaker is nice for the beach. **Kindle/e-reader:** For lazy afternoons on the sun deck. **Adaptor:** Greek sockets use European 2-pin plugs (Type C/F). **What NOT to bring:** Laptop (leave work behind), hair dryer (yachts have them), travel iron (yacht life is wrinkle-friendly).

Health & Toiletries

**Seasickness remedies:** Even if you've never been seasick, bring some just in case. Dramamine, ginger tablets, or acupressure wristbands. **Prescription medications:** Bring enough for the entire trip plus extras. **Basic first aid:** The yacht has a first aid kit, but bring any personal medications. **Toiletries:** Basics only. Most luxury yachts provide high-quality toiletries. **Insect repellent:** Mosquitoes can be present in some anchorages, especially near land. **Hand sanitiser:** Useful when going ashore.

The Complete Packing Checklist

**Luggage:** 1 soft duffel bag + 1 small day bag/backpack **Clothing:** 2–3 swimsuits, 2–3 cover-ups, 3–4 casual outfits, 2–3 evening outfits, 1 light jacket, 1 sun hat **Footwear:** White-soled deck shoes, flip-flops, walking shoes, water shoes (optional) **Sun protection:** SPF 50 sunscreen, polarised sunglasses with strap, sun hat, rash guard, after-sun **Electronics:** Waterproof phone case, portable charger, underwater camera, EU adaptor **Health:** Seasickness remedy, prescription meds, insect repellent **Documents:** Passport, travel insurance details, charter confirmation **Optional:** Snorkelling mask (yachts provide them, but your own fits better), binoculars, playing cards/games

Pro Tip

Pack half of what you think you need. Seriously. Yacht life is simple, and you'll wear the same few things every day. The less you bring, the more comfortable your cabin will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — always use soft bags (duffel bags or backpacks) for a yacht charter. Hard suitcases are difficult to store in yacht cabins, which have limited and irregularly-shaped storage. Soft bags can be folded flat once unpacked. Most yacht crews will specifically request soft luggage.

Bring white-soled or non-marking deck shoes or boat shoes for onboard use — dark soles can mark the teak deck. Flip-flops or sandals for going ashore, and comfortable walking shoes for island exploration. Most of the time you'll be barefoot on deck.

No — crewed charter yachts provide all towels, including beach towels, bath towels, and pool towels. Bed linen is also provided and changed regularly. You don't need to bring any household items.

Bring high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen (the sun on the water is intense), a wide-brimmed hat, quality polarised sunglasses, and lightweight long-sleeve cover-ups. Reapply sunscreen frequently — the sea breeze makes you underestimate the sun's strength.

Most crewed yachts provide basic snorkelling equipment (masks, snorkels, fins). However, if you have your own well-fitting mask, it's worth bringing for comfort. Check with your broker what water sports equipment is included on your specific yacht.