Packing for a sailing holiday is quite different from packing for a normal summer holiday.
After sailing in both Croatia and Greece, I quickly learned that you need far fewer clothes than you think, while a few practical items can make life on a boat much easier.
You spend a lot of time in swimwear, storage space is limited, and you are constantly around water. Suddenly, things like a soft bag, dry bag and microfibre towel become much more useful than another nice outfit.
I also made a few mistakes on my first sailing trip, so in this guide, I am sharing what I would actually pack for a sailing holiday in the Mediterranean, including the things I use for filming, swimming and life on board.
Whether you are sailing in Croatia, Greece or elsewhere around the Mediterranean, most of these essentials will be the same.
If your sailing holiday is part of a bigger trip around Croatia, you can also download my free Croatia packing list, which covers what to pack for beaches, road trips, national parks and exploring the country beyond the boat.
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Start With the Right Bag
This was one of my mistakes. I did not fully appreciate just how limited the storage space would be inside a sailing boat until I was actually on one.
Luckily, I had the whole cabin to myself during my Croatia sailing trip, so I had somewhere to put my belongings. But if Bruno had joined me and we had both been sharing the same cabin with all our luggage, I think we would have been in trouble.
Sailing cabins are compact, and there is very little spare floor space.
For that reason, I would leave your hard-shell suitcase at home and bring a soft duffel bag or foldable holdall instead. Once you have unpacked, you can fold it down and push it underneath the bed or into a small storage space.
If you are travelling around Europe before or after the sailing trip and really need a suitcase, check whether your sailing company or hotel can store it while you are on the boat.
Bring More Than One Swimsuit
You are going to spend a lot of time in swimwear. On our Croatia sailing trip, we were ready to jump into the sea whenever the boat stopped in a beautiful bay. Some days, I probably spent more time in my swimsuit than in normal clothes.
I would bring at least two or three swimsuits so you always have a dry one available while another is drying.
This is especially useful if you are swimming several times throughout the day.
Clothes You Actually Need for a Sailing Holiday
Do not overpack clothes. During the day, you will probably be wearing swimwear, shorts, a T-shirt or something light and comfortable. You really do not need a completely different outfit for every day.
I would pack lightweight, quick-drying clothes, a few casual tops and shorts or loose trousers.
Bring one or two smart-casual outfits or a dress for the evenings. When the boat docks in a marina or stays near an island town, you will often go ashore, walk around and have dinner in a restaurant.
That was one of the things I enjoyed about sailing in Croatia. Some evenings we were sleeping in quiet bays, while on others we stayed in places such as Milna or Vis and could get off the boat and explore.
I would also bring a lightweight jumper or jacket. Even during summer, it can feel cooler when the boat is moving or once the sun goes down.
What Shoes Should You Pack for Sailing?
You probably need fewer shoes than you think. Many sailing boats are shoes-free, so once you are on board, you will usually take your shoes off anyway.
I would bring flip-flops or lightweight slippers for walking around the marina and using communal marina showers. You will also want a comfortable pair of shoes or sandals for exploring towns and islands.
For example, when we were on Vis, we hired scooters and explored more of the island, so I was very happy to have proper footwear with me.
You definitely do not need several pairs of dressy shoes for a sailing holiday.
A Dry Bag Is One of the Most Useful Things to Pack
A small dry bag is one item I would definitely recommend for a sailing holiday.
It is obviously useful for protecting your phone, wallet and other things you do not want to get wet, but there is another reason I found it practical.
When you are sailing, you will not always dock directly beside the place you want to visit.
Sometimes you take a small dinghy from the sailing boat to reach a beach, cave or somewhere on land.
There is not much room inside a dinghy, and everything can easily get splashed. A small dry bag is much easier to carry than a large backpack and keeps your important belongings protected.
This is particularly useful if you are carrying electronics or camera equipment.
Bring a Waterproof Phone Pouch
A waterproof phone pouch is another inexpensive item that is particularly useful on a sailing trip.
You can use it during dinghy rides, at the beach or when you are close to the water and want your phone accessible without worrying about splashes.
I would still put valuable electronics inside a proper dry bag when travelling by dinghy, but a waterproof phone pouch is handy when you want to take photos or keep your phone with you around the water.
Should You Bring an Action Camera on a Sailing Trip?
If you enjoy filming your travels, sailing is one of those trips where an action camera is genuinely useful.
There are so many moments when I would not want to take my main camera out: jumping from the boat, snorkelling, swimming, taking a dinghy into a cave or simply filming close to the water.
I have recently been using the DJI Osmo Action 6, and I have been really happy with the image quality.
It is small, well stabilised and waterproof to 20 metres without an additional waterproof case, which is more than enough for normal swimming and snorkelling. The RockSteady stabilisation is particularly useful on a sailing boat where everything is constantly moving.
One feature I particularly like as a content creator is the new 4K Custom mode. The camera uses a square sensor, so you can film first and then crop the same footage for horizontal YouTube videos or vertical Instagram Reels and Shorts afterwards. That means you do not always have to decide while filming whether you want the shot to be horizontal or vertical.
Another option I like for sailing is an Insta360 camera.
The big advantage of a 360 camera is that you do not have to worry as much about getting the perfect angle while you are filming. You can record everything around you and choose the framing later while editing.
It can also create some really interesting wide perspectives from the boat, particularly in places where you cannot, or simply do not want to, fly a drone.
For sailing, where things happen quickly and you might be swimming, steering a paddleboard or climbing into a dinghy, not having to think constantly about framing can be very useful.
Pack a Power Bank
I would definitely bring a power bank on a sailing holiday, especially if you use your phone a lot or film your trip.
When you are staying in a marina, charging is usually straightforward, but when you are anchored away from shore, access to electricity can be more limited. And if you are using your phone, action camera and other devices throughout the day, batteries can disappear surprisingly quickly.
I use an Anker 20,000mAh power bank with a built-in USB-C cable, and I find it really practical for travel because I do not need to carry a separate charging cable. It also has enough capacity to keep several of my devices going when I am away from a socket for most of the day.
It is not the smallest power bank, but for longer trips and filming days, I personally prefer having the extra capacity.
Do Not Forget Seasickness Medication for Sailing
Even if you normally do not suffer from motion sickness, I would still bring something with you.
A sailing boat moves very differently from a ferry or cruise ship, and conditions can change quickly.
I recommend speaking to your pharmacist about motion-sickness medication before travelling, especially because some types need to be taken before you start feeling sick.
I also use an acupressure wristband. I do not only use mine on sailing holidays. I have also worn it on liveaboard diving trips and personally find it useful, so it is something I now tend to pack whenever I know I will be spending several days on a boat.
Bring Your Own Microfibre Towel
Check what your sailing company provides before packing towels because many boats will already have one waiting for you.
However, that towel may mainly be intended for showering.
On a week-long sailing trip, it may not be replaced every day, and personally, I would rather not use the same towel for drying myself after swimming in seawater and then again after having a shower.
A microfibre towel takes very little space, dries quickly and is perfect for swimming from the boat or taking to the beach. Then you can keep the towel provided by the boat clean for showers.
Bring Your Own Snorkelling Mask
Before packing snorkelling equipment, check what your sailing company already provides. Many boats have snorkelling masks available for guests, so you may not need to bring anything.
However, if you already own a mask that fits your face well, I think it is worth bringing it.
I use my Tidal diving mask, which I mostly use for diving but also take snorkelling. I find it comfortable, and it does not fog up easily for me, which makes a big difference when you are constantly getting in and out of the water.
Having your own mask also means you already know it fits properly rather than trying several shared masks every time you want to swim.
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Pack a Cap Rather Than a Loose Sun Hat
Sun protection is especially important when you are spending most of the day outside on a boat.
Bring high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses and something to protect your head. I would recommend a cap rather than a large loose sun hat.
Those beautiful wide-brimmed hats may look great in sailing photos, but once the wind picks up, there is a very good chance yours will end up somewhere in the Mediterranean.
A cap that stays securely on your head is much more practical.
Do Not Forget Sunscreen
It is very easy to underestimate how much sun exposure you get while sailing.
You are outside for hours, and the sunlight reflecting off the water can make it feel even more intense.
Apply sunscreen regularly, particularly after swimming, and do not forget areas such as your shoulders, feet, ears and the back of your neck.
I would also bring a lightweight shirt or cover-up for times when you want a break from direct sun.
Bring a Small Wash Bag for Marina Showers
One thing that surprised me on my first sailing trip was how much marina life reminded me of camping.
When you stay overnight in a marina, you will often use the communal toilets and showers rather than the tiny bathroom on your sailing boat.
Having a small wash bag with your shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush and other toiletries makes this much easier.
Keep your flip-flops nearby too because you will probably use them every time you head to the marina showers.
Pack a Reusable Water Bottle
It sounds obvious, but bring a reusable water bottle. You are spending a lot of time outside, swimming and sitting in the sun, so staying hydrated is important.
Having your own bottle also means you can refill it rather than constantly using disposable bottles.
Check whether the tap water onboard is intended for drinking, as this varies depending on the boat and how the water system is managed.
Earplugs Can Be Useful
Sailing boats are small shared spaces. Even if you have your own cabin, you can still hear people moving around, marina activity, ropes, water against the boat or someone snoring in the cabin next door.
Earplugs take almost no room in your luggage and can make a big difference if you are a light sleeper. I would definitely throw a pair into my wash bag.
What Not to Pack for a Sailing Holiday
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that sailing is a trip where packing less genuinely makes your life easier.
Avoid bringing a hard-shell suitcase if possible because storing it inside a small cabin can be difficult.
You also do not need lots of evening outfits or several pairs of shoes. Most of your day will be spent in swimwear and casual clothes, and nobody on the boat is expecting you to dress up for breakfast.
I would also avoid bringing expensive jewellery or anything you would be devastated to lose in the sea.
And unless your sailing company specifically tells you otherwise, do not bring bulky beach towels. A small microfibre towel does the same job while taking up a fraction of the space.
My Recommendations for Packing for a Sailing Holiday
Packing for a sailing holiday does not need to be complicated. In fact, the less you bring, the easier life on the boat becomes.
My biggest advice is to think about how you will actually spend your days. You are going to be swimming, relaxing on deck, travelling between islands and occasionally heading into town for dinner.
You do not need a different outfit for every day. Instead, use the limited luggage space for the things that genuinely make sailing easier: a good dry bag, your swimming gear, sun protection, something for seasickness and a few pieces of filming equipment if you want to capture the experience.
After sailing in Croatia and Greece, that is what I would pack again, and what I would happily leave at home.