If it’s your first yacht charter, it’s easy to bring too much of what you won’t need and forget a few of the simple things that actually make the day more comfortable. The good news is that we already provide many of the essentials on board, so packing for your yacht day is easier than you might think.

Our charters are BYOB, which is the part people focus on. But a good packing list starts with knowing what is already on board, so you are adding to it rather than duplicating it. Here is the whole picture.

Before You Board

Before heading to the marina, plan to arrive about 20 minutes early with your full group. That gives everyone enough time to get settled and helps us leave right on schedule. Boarding takes a few minutes and departure is on schedule, so arriving right on the hour eats into the time you paid for. If half your group is running late, the boat still leaves when it leaves.

And bring photo ID — every guest, not just whoever made the booking.

What Is Already on the Boat

Before you buy anything, know what comes with the charter:

• Coolers and ice. You bring the drinks; chilling them is handled.
• Captain and crew. Included on every charter.
• Fuel for your route.
• Life vests in all sizes, including children's.
• Bluetooth sound system, so you only need your phone and a playlist.
• Bathroom and shaded seating on board.

Catering is available as an add-on if you would rather not think about food at all. Arrange it when you book rather than the day before.

Drinks: The BYOB Part

Bring whatever you actually like to drink. A few things that make the day go better:

One tip we always give our guests: bring plenty of water. Between the Miami sun, swimming, and a few drinks, you’ll be glad you packed extra. Sun, salt air and open water dehydrate people much faster than they expect, and the effect of alcohol on a boat in August is not the same as the effect of alcohol in an air-conditioned room. A rough guide: at least one bottle of water per person per hour, separate from anything else you bring.

No red wine, and nothing that stains. This is a firm one. Red wine and similar staining liquids are not permitted on board — a spill on upholstery or deck is permanent, and it is the one rule guests are most often surprised by. White, rosé, sparkling, beer, spirits and mixers are all fine. If in doubt about something you are planning to bring, ask when you book.

If you have the option, cans and cartons are usually easier to bring on board. They cool quickly, fit nicely in the cooler, and are easier to manage while the yacht is moving.

Don't forget mixers and garnish. Spirits with nothing to mix them into is the most common gap we see. Juice, soda, limes, and a bag of extra ice if your group is large.

Pre-batch if you can. Mixing cocktails on a moving boat is harder than it sounds. A pitcher-style drink made at home and poured into a sealed container is far easier than assembling drinks one at a time on deck.

Food

You are welcome to bring your own. When it comes to food, keep it simple and easy to enjoy on the water. Here are some options we’ve found work best:

• Good: sandwiches and wraps, charcuterie, cut fruit, chips, anything eaten with one hand.
• Difficult: anything needing a plate and two hands, anything that melts, anything that needs reheating, big salads that go everywhere in a breeze.
• Bring more napkins than you think. Wind takes them.
• Bring your own utensils, plates and cups — disposable is easiest. These are not provided, and it is the most commonly forgotten item on the list.

If it is a celebration and food matters, catering is the easier route. Cake, in particular, survives the trip much better when someone else has planned for it.

Shoes: The One Rule People Don't Expect

Wear soft-soled shoes or plan to go barefoot. Hard soles — dress shoes, heels, anything with a firm edge — mark and damage deck surfaces, so they come off at the dock.

Planning to dress up for photos? Absolutely bring the heels — just keep in mind that they’ll need to come off before boarding. Soft-soled shoes are best, and many guests end up enjoying most of the charter barefoot. Boat decks also get genuinely hot in the afternoon sun, which is its own argument for having something on your feet.

Sun

Miami sun on open water is stronger than the same sun on land. You get it directly, plus reflection off the water, plus a breeze that hides how much you are getting.

• Reef-safe sunscreen, and reapply after every swim
• A hat that will not blow off — a cap beats a wide brim at speed
• Sunglasses, ideally polarized
• A cover-up or light long sleeve for the second half of the day
• Aloe or after-sun for the ride home, if you are prone to burning

For the Swim Stop

Most daytime charters anchor somewhere — a sandbar, an island, a quiet stretch of the bay. Pack for actually getting in the water rather than just looking at it:

• Swimsuit worn under your clothes, so nobody is changing in a small bathroom
• A towel per person — towels are not provided, so bring your own
• Water shoes if you are wading onto a sandbar or island
• A dry change of clothes for the trip back
• A floatie, if that is your thing — inflatable, not rigid

If you are heading to the Nixon Sandbar or Monument Island, both are worth reading up on beforehand — neither has facilities, so what you bring is what you have.

Phones, Cameras and Valuables

You’ll probably be taking plenty of photos and videos, so we definitely recommend bringing a waterproof phone pouch or small dry bag — especially if you plan to swim or hang out near the swim platform.

Otherwise: bring a power bank, since a day of photos and music drains a phone fast, and leave anything genuinely irreplaceable at home. Jewellery and salt water are a bad combination, and the bottom of Biscayne Bay does not have a lost and found.

Decorations and Celebrations

Plenty of guests decorate for birthdays, bachelorettes and proposals, and you are welcome to. Three things to keep in mind: tell us in advance so the crew can help, remember that anything loose becomes airborne the moment the boat moves, and avoid anything that can stain — the same rule that applies to drinks applies to decorations. Weighted balloons, banners you can actually tie down, and table pieces that will not slide are the way to go.

What to Leave at Home

• Firearms. Weapons are not permitted on board under any circumstances.
• Red wine and anything else that stains. Not permitted — see above.
• Hard-soled shoes. They will come off anyway.
• Anything you would be upset to lose. Boats move; things fall.
• Single-use plastics you can avoid. Light items blow off deck easily and end up in the bay.

The Short Version

If you read nothing else: photo ID, drinks and mixers, water, disposable utensils, sunscreen, hat, towel, soft shoes, dry bag, swimsuit already on. No red wine. Arrive 20 minutes early.

FAQs

Can I bring my own alcohol on a Miami yacht charter?

Yes. Our charters are BYOB — bring the drinks you want and we provide coolers and ice. Catering packages are available if you would rather have food and drink handled for you.

Do you provide ice and coolers?

Yes, both are included. You bring the drinks.

Is there anything I can't bring on board?

Red wine and anything else that can stain are not permitted, since spills on upholstery and decking are permanent. Firearms are not permitted under any circumstances. Hard-soled shoes and heels come off before boarding.

Do you provide towels, plates or utensils?

No — bring your own towels and your own disposable utensils, plates and cups. Coolers and ice are provided.

What shoes should I wear on a yacht?

Soft-soled shoes, or bare feet. Hard soles and heels can damage deck surfaces and are removed before boarding.

Can I bring food on board?

Yes. Bring your own snacks or a full spread, or add catering to your booking. Food that can be eaten with one hand works best on the water.

Is a yacht charter suitable for kids?

Yes. Our charters are family-friendly and life vests are available in children's sizes.