You have booked the charter, the group chat is buzzing, and now somebody asks the practical question: what do we actually bring? The list is shorter than most people expect. Here is what I tell every guest before they step aboard at Yacht Away Now.
Clothing and Footwear
Wear layers you can peel off. Most guests arrive in a casual outfit and change into swimwear once we are away from the dock. A light coverup, linen shirt or sundress does the job. If your charter runs into the evening, bring a jacket or a hoodie. The breeze picks up once the sun drops, and the flybridge gets cooler than anyone expects.
Footwear is the one people get wrong. Soft soles, boat shoes or clean sneakers. Black soles mark the deck and heels are a firm no. Most guests end up barefoot anyway, so do not overthink it, but a pair of non-marking shoes is handy for moving between decks. If you plan to wade onto a sandbar at Shell Key or Egmont Key, throw in water shoes or old sandals you do not mind getting sandy.
Sun Protection Essentials
Sunscreen is not optional out here. The water reflects the sun back up at you, so it gets you from both directions, and people burn on grey days all the time. Bring SPF 50 or higher and reapply every 90 minutes. Use a reef-safe mineral one if you can. We swim in this water too.
Sunglasses and a hat do the rest. Polarized lenses cut the glare and make it far easier to pick out dolphins, manatees and the occasional sea turtle. Any hat with a brim keeps the midday sun off your face. The 52ft Marquis Flybridge has shade on every deck, but you will still want cover out on the bow or swimming off the stern.
Food, Drinks, and BYOB
Bring your own food and drinks. This is my favorite part of a private charter. You stock the galley with exactly what your group wants, not what a bar menu decided for you. Most guests turn up with a cooler of beer, wine, seltzers and water plus snacks, a charcuterie board or catered trays. There is no drink minimum and nothing is marked up, because we are not the ones selling it to you.
The galley has a full kitchen with a refrigerator, so perishables stay cold. Bring more water than you think you need. Sun and salt air dry you out faster than an afternoon onshore, and water is the thing groups underestimate every single time. Two bottles per person, plus whatever else you are drinking.
Towels and Swim Gear
A towel per guest. One for drying off after a swim, and a second if you plan to lie out on the sun pad. A dry bag for your phone and wallet is worth it if you are getting in at a sandbar. Goggles or a snorkel mask are optional, but the water around Shell Key and Egmont Key is often clear enough to see straight to the bottom, so they get used.
Cameras and The Shots Worth Getting
Your phone is enough. Just clear some storage and charge it before you get to the dock. A battery pack earns its place on a four or five hour charter. Shoot in the first or last hour of daylight if you can. The low angle light on the Gulf Coast flatters everybody.
If you own a GoPro or a waterproof action camera, bring it. Bow footage while we are up on plane and underwater clips off the swim platform are the ones people actually rewatch.
Seasickness Remedies
Better to have it and not need it. Bring something even if you have never been seasick in your life. Dramamine or Bonine work if you take them 30 to 60 minutes before we leave the dock. Ginger chews and acupressure wristbands are the non-drowsy option. Tampa Bay is usually calm, especially in spring and summer, but usually is not always.
One more thing: skip the heavy greasy meal right before you board. Something light an hour or two ahead keeps your stomach settled for the food you brought with you.
Decorations and Celebrations
Birthday, bachelorette, engagement, whatever you are celebrating, bring decorations. Banners, balloons, sashes, custom cups, whatever makes the day feel like yours. Our crew at Yacht Away Now will help you set up before your guests arrive so it is already done when people step on board.
The one ask is no loose confetti and no glitter. Both work their way into every seam on a boat and we will still be finding it months later. Everything else is fair game.
Music and Entertainment
You can bring a Bluetooth speaker, though you probably will not need it. The 52ft Marquis Flybridge has a premium stereo that reaches every deck. Connect your phone, queue the playlist, done. Pick one person to run the music before you leave the dock. The groups that skip that step spend half the afternoon arguing about it.
What You Can Leave Behind
Leave the chairs, the ice (we have coolers) and any navigation gear at home. The captain and crew handle everything to do with running the yacht. You do not need formal clothes either. This is Florida's Gulf Coast and the dress code stays relaxed even on a luxury vessel. Your only job is to show up.
Still not sure what to bring for your charter? Reach out to our team or call (727) 609-2248 and we will walk through it with you.
What to Bring on a Yacht Charter: FAQ
What should I bring on a yacht charter?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, a swimsuit and towel, a light layer for the evening, and your phone. The yacht has Starlink WiFi and a premium Bluetooth stereo. Bring your own food and drinks, because charters are BYOB. Leave the chairs, ice, coolers and navigation gear at home. The crew provides those and handles the boat.
Can you bring your own food and drinks on a yacht charter?
Yes. Every charter is BYOB, so bring whatever food and drinks your group likes. We provide coolers and ice. Please avoid glass containers for safety on deck. Cans, plastic and koozies are ideal.
What should I wear on a yacht charter?
Dress is relaxed, even on a luxury yacht. A swimsuit with a cover-up plus a light jacket for the sunset breeze covers most charters. Footwear should be soft-soled or none at all. No shoes are worn inside the yacht because they mark the decks, so barefoot or boat shoes are perfect.
What is not allowed on a yacht charter?
Glass containers are discouraged for safety, and street shoes are not worn inside the vessel because they mark the decks. You do not need to bring chairs, ice or navigation equipment. The captain and crew handle everything to do with running the yacht. There is no formal dress code.