What to pack for a sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands

If you’ve never taken a sailing trip before, it can be impossible to wrap your head around what to bring. Since you’ll likely be flying and ferrying in, luggage weight limits can terrify even the most hardened traveler! So, use this guide as a starting point to see what activities you need to plan ahead for. You’ll want to make sure that you’re packing light!

Let’s start with the basics – Yachtwear. You’re going to be on your boat in the BVI, for the majority of your trip, so this is the most important thing to pack for. This trip is all about catching the sun and swimming in crystal clear waters, so pick a good, multi purpose swimsuit that’s comfortable. For men, a good pair of trunks that aren’t overly colorful can also be worn around the town during the day. Add a linen shirt for some easy evening wear. For women, pick a well fitting bikini or tankini and a simple sarong for more modesty in the evenings.

It’s always going to be scorching hot in the Caribbean, so even on the nights you’ll want to pick something easy to wear. For men, always pick a linen shirt! Then, add some chino shorts and slip-on shoes for a relaxed beach-side look. There’s a lot of different styles available for women, so find staples like sundresses and wedge sandals that suit your style.

You’re best off bringing at least one shirt per day and one change of swimsuit every 2 days. Likewise, pack underwear for each day you’re travelling, plus a spare or two for when you’re going between the boat and the sea all day! A lot of other packing guides recommend simple cotton t-shirts, but they’ll hold on to sweat instead of helping you stay cool.

After these essentials, there’s nothing else that you need for a basic trip. But, you have to look at your itinerary and see if you’re doing any activities that will require extra clothing. For example, some people might prefer to hike along Norman Island in trainers. If you wanted to head of the beaten track, however, you might want shoes with more grip.

Remember- you’re going to a tropical destination. You need a strong sunscreen, at least SPF 30, and a good first aid kit. Although you’ll be very safe on the seas of the BVI, a small medical issue will usually result in spoiling a day’s worth of fun! Include a variety of medicine like antihistamines, as they can be very useful in a pinch.

One of the biggest struggles you can fix before you even board the plane is using only carry on luggage. If you lose a bag whilst you’re on this trip, you can’t be sure it will make it to you during the trip. It’s better to use a duffel bag, or other canvas style hand luggage, as it’s going to be much easier to store on your boat. Make sure you have some type of waterproofing for gadgets and important documents. Often, a zip-lock bag will keep your documents and expensive gadgets safe.

At the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Pack light, but pack sensibly. You don’t come to the British Virgin Islands to be a fashionista, you come to relax and swim. If you make sure you have what you need, and you take precautions to keep your things safe, you’re going to have a fantastic time.