Every morning our crews watch the same scene at the dock: one family strolls aboard with a single well-packed beach bag, another arrives dragging half their hotel room. After thousands of departures on our pirate and dolphin boats, we know exactly what earns its place in the bag: and what stays on deck untouched all day. Here is the honest list.
The non-negotiables
- Swimwear: worn under your clothes. Every one of these cruises stops to swim. The Dolphin Island tour anchors where the cold river meets the warm Mediterranean, and the Dolphin Watching Cruise gives you about 1.5 hours of swimming at the river mouth alone. Changing cabins exist, but with excited kids it is far easier to arrive swim-ready.
- Towels: one per person. The single most forgotten item. Between swim stops and the foam party, everyone gets wet at least twice.
- High-SPF sunscreen. You are on open water for around 6 hours, and the sea reflects sun back up at you from below. Reapply after every swim, especially on children. A waterproof formula earns its price on a boat day.
- Hats and sunglasses for the whole family. There is shade on board, but kids chasing a treasure map do not stay in it.
- A change of clothes for the children. The foam party is the highlight of the sail home: and foam-soaked clothes are no fun on the transfer back. A dry T-shirt per child is the cheapest comfort upgrade there is.
What to wear on deck
Keep it simple: swimsuit underneath, light cover-up on top, and shoes that slip off easily: flip-flops or sandals, since you will kick them off for every swim. Leave anything precious at the hotel; between salt water, sunscreen and flying foam, a boat deck is no place for delicate fabrics. On the Little Pirates tour the children's outfit question answers itself: pirate costumes are provided on board, though your little one is welcome to bring their own.
Worth the space in the bag
- Phone or camera. Children in pirate costume mid-treasure-hunt is the photo of the holiday. A waterproof pouch keeps it safe during the foam party. Professional photos are also taken during the animations and can be bought optionally.
- A little cash or a card. The onboard bar sells cold drinks on the pirate and Dolphin Island boats, and on the Dolphin Watching Cruise the beach-stop water sports are optional extras paid on the spot. Note that the Little Pirates tour already includes soft drinks with lunch.
- Swim goggles for the kids. The water at the delta is remarkably clear, and the Little Pirates cruise includes snorkeling stops, goggles turn a swim into an expedition.
- A light long-sleeve layer for the sail home, when the sea breeze picks up on a wet swimsuit.
What you can leave at the hotel
Food is the big one, lunch is included on every cruise, from the kid-approved spaghetti and chicken fingers on the Side Pirate Boat Tour to the freshly grilled BBQ on the Dolphin Island route. Life jackets are provided on board, including children's sizes on the Dolphin Watching Cruise, so leave the inflatables behind. And skip the valuables: jewellery, laptops and important documents belong in the hotel safe, not a beach bag on deck.
One thing you cannot pack: timing
Your hotel pickup is part of the ticket on all four cruises, and the exact pickup time is confirmed personally the day before the tour: so keep an eye on your phone the evening before, and have the bag packed by then. The boats wait for no pirate.
Before you sail
If you have not chosen your boat yet, our first-timer family guide compares all four, and the prices guide shows exactly what a family pays and what is included. Still have questions? The FAQ round-up covers the rest: and reservation on the Side Pirate Boat Tour is free, with payment on the day.