Packing for a Side Boat Day: What Our Crews Wish Everyone Knew
A well-packed family boards a Side boat with three things: a small bag, a big hat, and swimwear already on under their clothes. The good news is a boat day in Side needs surprisingly little, lunch, crew and insurance are already covered on every tour, and hotel pickup means you're never hauling gear across town. Here's the packing list, based on what our own tour notes ask for and what actually gets used on deck.
The Non-Negotiables
- Swimwear, worn under your clothes. Changing space on a busy boat is limited, so board ready to swim. Every one of our tours makes swimming stops in the clear bays along the Side coast.
- A towel per person. Towels are not provided on board, and between swim stops a dry towel is the difference between a great afternoon and a shivery one.
- High-SPF sunscreen. The Mediterranean sun doubles up on the water: you get it from the sky and again off the surface. Reapply after every swim, especially on children. Our pirate boat notes specifically call for high-SPF for the whole family.
- Hat and sunglasses. There's shade on board, but you won't want to spend the whole day in it.
Smart Extras That Earn Their Place
- A small amount of cash. On the classic boat and pirate boat, bar drinks are paid extras; the on-board photo service and tips are optional everywhere. On the relax boat, soft and alcoholic drinks are already included, so cash is only for souvenirs of the day.
- Water shoes or sandals with grip. Not required, but decks and swim ladders are wet by design. Little ones especially find them useful.
- A snorkel mask if you own one. The bays are clear enough to reward it; the classic tour includes snorkeling stops.
- A dry change of clothes for kids. Foam parties are exactly as wet as they sound, and a dry T-shirt for the ride home keeps everyone comfortable in the air-conditioned transfer.
- A phone in a zip bag. Simple, cheap insurance against splashes and foam.
What to Wear
Keep it simple: swimwear underneath, light cover-up on top, comfortable sandals. Evenings out at sea aren't an issue — these are day tours — but a light long-sleeve is welcome on the breezy stretches of the cruise, and it doubles as sun protection for fair-skinned guests. On the relax boat there's no dress code either; it's a quiet day, not a formal one: the only "requirement" is something comfortable to stretch out on your reserved sunbed in.
What to Leave at the Hotel
- Valuables you don't need. Our crews ask you to keep valuables with you on board: the easiest way to do that is to bring fewer of them.
- Outside food and drink. On the island boat these aren't permitted on board for hygiene reasons, and you won't need them: a hot lunch is served on board (with a vegetarian option if you tell us when booking), and soft drinks flow free all day.
- Full-size beach kit. Umbrellas, inflatables and cool boxes just take up deck space. The boat is the shade and the sea is the pool.
Packing for Kids on the Pirate Boat
The pirate ship is our bestseller with families, and kids come home face-painted, foam-soaked and asleep before the transfer reaches the hotel. Pack the family basics above, plus that dry change of clothes. The kid-friendly lunch (spaghetti, chicken fingers, fish fingers) is included, so no need to smuggle snacks for picky eaters. One thing no bag can carry: children stay under parental supervision throughout the day: our animation team runs the games, but the lifeguarding of your own crew is yours.
One Less Thing to Pack: Worry
Life jackets are available on board, so non-swimmers and nervous paddlers can join every swim stop at their own pace. And because you reserve free and pay on the tour day, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before, the booking itself travels light too. Check current prices in our price guide, browse the whole fleet on the boat tours page, or get the remaining practical questions answered in the boat tour FAQ.