Packing List

How to Pack Efficiently for a Live-Aboard Scuba & Sailing Summer Camp

14-21Days at Sea

1 Soft Duffel Bag

8-10 Days of Clothing

The Live-Aboard Mindset: Pack Light, Sail Free

Learning how to pack efficiently for a 14-21-day live-aboard scuba and sailing summer camp starts with one fundamental truth: a sailboat is not a hotel room. Storage is shared, quarters are tight, and everything has a chance to get wet.

The good news? You’ll spend most of your time in a bathing suit, laundry is done every 7-10 days, and you need far less than you think. Your future self will thank you the moment you carry your bag down a dock.

Golden Rules Before You Pack

One soft duffel only: maximum 36 inches (180L). No wheels, no rigid frames, no hard bottoms. Add a small backpack as your carry-on.
Label everything with your full name: clothes, gear, toiletry bags, sleeping bag, water bottle.
Assume it will get wet. Waterproof bags, Ziploc pouches, and quick-dry fabrics are essential.
For plug-in devices, charging opportunities are available but limited.
Go reef-safe. All sunscreen and toiletry products must be environmentally safe. Reef-toxic sunscreen is never permitted.

Your Carry-On: The Most Important Bag You’ll Pack

Airlines lose luggage. Prepare a carry-on backpack or beach bag that can sustain you for 2–3 days if your checked bag doesn’t arrive with you.

⚠ Check current TSA/airline guidelines before packing toiletries in your carry-on, especially sunscreen, insect repellent, and aerosols. Regulations change frequently.

Clothing: Pack for 8–10 Days, Not 21

Laundry is done every 7-10 days, so you only need 8–10 days of clothing. Quick-dry and lightweight fabrics are essential.

4–5 lightweight t-shirts

2–3 tank tops or sleeveless shirts

1–2 long-sleeve sun shirts

1 light fleece or hoodie for cooler night passages

2–3 rashguards (for snorkeling & diving)

1 pair of flip flops

1 pair of sneakers or all-terrain sandals (Chacos, Tevas, or similar) for hiking and travel days

Dive booties if using open-heel fins

3–4 pairs of shorts (quick-dry)

3–4 bathing suits, you’ll wear them constantly

1 pair of lightweight pants or leggings

5–7 pairs of underwear

2–3 pairs of socks (for hiking & cooler days)

1 nicer outfit for town visits or celebrations

1 light rain jacket (doubles as a wind layer)

Packing Tips for Clothing

Roll clothes instead of folding to save up to 30% more space. Use packing cubes to organize by category. Label your laundry bag with your name and ‘Sail Caribbean’ on the outside in large letters.

Toiletries: Reef-Safe, Compact & Marine-Conscious

Every product you bring into the water enters a living ecosystem. The BVI’s coral reefs depend on every swimmer and diver making conscious choices. Reef-safe is not a suggestion; it is a requirement.

⚠ Look for ‘reef-safe’ labels with mineral formulas (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate are banned in many Caribbean destinations. No suntan oil is permitted on any Sail Caribbean program.

Reef-safe mineral sunscreen, SPF 30+ (REQUIRED)

Sunstick or lip balm with SPF 30+ (lips, nose, ears)

Aloe vera gel or after-sun moisturizer

⚠ NO suntan oil. It is prohibited on all programs

Swimmer’s ear drops if you are prone to ear infections

Earplugs for sleeping if boat sounds are unfamiliar

Shampoo & conditioner

Antibacterial body wash or bar soap

Loofah or exfoliating mitt

Deodorant/antiperspirant

Toothbrush & toothpaste

Razor & shaving tools as needed

Small mesh bag for toiletries (dries quickly)

Solid shampoo/conditioner bars save significant room

Scuba & Snorkel Gear: What to Bring vs. What’s Provided

Sail Caribbean Divers provides high-quality scuba equipment at the base. You don’t need to bring a full dive kit, but personal items like a well-fitting mask make a meaningful difference.

Scuba Gear Storage Rule

Use a collapsible, mesh-style gear bag for all personal dive equipment. Large rigid or duffel-style scuba bags are strictly not permitted; there is simply no storage space for them on the boat. All personal items must be clearly labeled with your name.

Mask (personal fit makes a huge difference)
Snorkel (dry-top or semi-dry recommended)
Fins (boots if using open-heel fins)
Diving log for certified divers
Rash guards (required for all divers)
Collapsible mesh gear bag (labeled with your name)
Water-resistant watch, 50-meter depth minimum

PADI certification card
Dive table
Dive log in a Ziploc bag (to keep it dry)

Sleeping & Onboard Comfort

Sheets and pillows are provided below deck, but most students choose to sleep on deck under the stars.

Sail Caribbean will provide bed sheets, pillows, and blankets. Sleeping bags are optional and not required.

Sail Caribbean will provide some towels and a reusable water bottle.

Recommended: 1 microfiber towel

Sunglasses (polarized preferred for water glare)

Sun hat or wide-brim cap

Headlamp or small flashlight

Cotton towels stay damp for hours in Caribbean humidity and mildew quickly. Microfiber is much better

Travel Documents & Spending Money

These items live in a waterproof Ziploc bag on your person at all times through Customs and Immigration. Do not pack them deep in your duffel.

Required Travel Documents

⚠ Valid passport: REQUIRED for all programs
Airline tickets or e-ticket printout
Visa if required (non-U.S. citizens: check BVI Entry Requirements)
Travel insurance documents
Emergency contact information (written on paper)
Dive log if certified

⚠ Keep all documents in a clearly labeled Ziploc or waterproof pouch. Customs and Immigration must be cleared with originals in hand.

Spending Money Budget

Cash is strongly preferred in the BVI. ATMs are available but unreliable. Bring a mix of small bills ($5s and $10s) for local markets and snack stops. No Apple Pay as phones are not permitted on program

Recommended weekly budget	$100–$125 USD
3-week total estimate	$300–$375 USD
Accepted formats	Cash (small bills) & cards

Electronics

Phone & charger (collected upon arrival; returned at departure, and for 30-minute phone times once or twice during program)
Battery-powered camera, waterproof strongly recommended
Portable battery pack/power bank (recommended)
Extra memory cards for a camera

Efficient Packing Strategy: How to Actually Fit It All

The goal of packing efficiently for a 21-day live-aboard scuba and sailing summer camp isn’t just knowing what to bring, it’s knowing how to pack it so you can access everything on a moving boat.

Pack by Zone Bottom: sleeping bag & bulky items. Middle: rolled clothing organized in packing cubes. Top: items you’ll access daily. Keep toiletries and snorkel gear in separate labeled mesh bags.	Roll, Don’t Fold Rolling clothes saves up to 30% more space than folding and prevents wrinkles. Use compression packing cubes to group by category: tops, bottoms, dive gear.
Waterproof Everything Use Ziploc bags inside your duffel for clothes, documents, and electronics. A dry bag insert for essentials is even better. Everything will get wet, plan for it.	Label Obsessively Full name on your bag, laundry bag, every piece of dive gear, your water bottle, and your dry bags. Shared spaces mean things mix up constantly.
Do a Weight Check Most airline soft duffel allowances are 50 lbs (23 kg). Weigh your bag before leaving home to avoid gate fees. Aim for under 40 lbs to leave room for purchases.	The One-In Rule If you’re on the fence about an item, leave it. Most forgotten essentials can be purchased at the Sail Caribbean base or in nearby towns.

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