Are you ready for your sailing adventure? But are you overwhelmed by how complex a sailing holiday might be? We provide beginner sailing tips and tricks!
Having the right preparation for your sailing vacation makes all the difference.
These sailing travel tips will help you stay comfortable, safe, and stress-free on the water.
Pack a soft duffel bagÂ
Whether you go sailing in Tahiti, Geneva on the Lake, or Milos, the space is always tight on a sailboat.
Hard-shell suitcases are bulky and impossible to store.
Instead, use a soft, collapsible duffel bag that fits into the small cabins.
BONUS: it’s easier to carry when boarding from a small dinghy.
Keep essentials in a dry bag
Even if the weather conditions are perfect, things get wet. Just think about one wave hitting the sailing boat from behind, and your whole seating area will be wet.
A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, passport, and wallet safe from saltwater and splashes.
If it falls overboard, it floats, and you can fish it back out—unlike your electronics, which are not in a waterproof dry bag.
Bring a headlamp instead of a flashlight
Sailing at night? You’ll need light.
A headlamp keeps your hands free from moving around the deck.Â
We recommend rechargeable headlamps, especially if your boat has limited power outlets. Look for waterproof or water-resistant models to handle unexpected spray or rain.
Choose one with a red-light mode, it won’t blind others and preserves night vision.
Download offline maps and weather apps
Cell service is often unreliable at sea unless you want to use expensive iridium phones.
That is why we recommend, as one of our sailing travel tips, to download some of the apps below:
- Navionics for offline navigation
- Windy for accurate wind and weather forecasts
- PredictWind for advanced sailing weather data
This way, you’re not guessing when the next storm is coming, and you’ll have plenty of time to go around her.
An advantage of owning one of the Premier boats, which lets you access the best spots, is also that you can customize the Navionics you use when sailing or boating! We always recommend carrying around an iPad with the apps installed for flexibility.
Tide knowledge
An often overlooked item when sailing is the tide knowledge.
Tides shape the ocean’s movement, influence coastal landscapes, and impact everything from beach walks to boating safety.
Yet, many sailors overlook them—until they get stranded on a sandbar or find their planned beach completely underwater.
Understanding tide knowledge is essential for anyone who spends time by the sea, whether you’re sailing, swimming, or just exploring the coast.
Dress in quick-dry, layered clothing
The weather changes very fast on the water.
That is why we recommend bringing:
- A lightweight windbreaker for breezes
- Quick-dry clothes—cotton stays wet for hours
- Non-marking shoes (boat decks are slippery)
INSIDER TIP: Merino wool is great for layering—it stays warm even when damp and doesn’t smell after multiple wears. So definitely one of the best sailing travel tips!
Don’t rely on the boat’s food—bring extra snacks
There is never enough storage space on a boat. Also, food-wise, most beginning sailors have to make some changes.
DID YOU KNOW: Many experienced sailors eat snacks out of boredom. When sailing, you leave behind all deadlines or distractions to truly take in nature, cast a line, read your favorite book, or drift with its rhythms as your mind wanders free. That’s when many sailors start snacking, so you better be prepared!
Pack:
- Dried fruit and nuts (lasts longer in humid weather)
- Protein bars (easy to grab on the go)
- Instant coffee or tea (not all boats provide it)
If you’re prone to seasickness, salty crackers and ginger chews help (speaking from experience).
KEEP IN MIND: Even seasickness cannot stop boat owners, as a ship provides them with an unmatched sense of freedom and exploration.
Secure your hat and sunglasses with a leash
Boats are windy. Your favorite sunglasses won’t survive a fall into the ocean.
Use a retainer strap for sunglasses and a clip for your hat. It might not look super Instagram-worthy, but it will save the day!
Learn a few basic knots—it makes things easier
Knowing how to tie a bowline or a cleat hitch is helpful even if you’re not sailing.
Apps like Animated Knots make learning a knot easy.
