Packing List

Packing Guidelines

• Don’t overpack! Living on a boat means limited space. Trust us, you don’t need much!
• Leave any items you consider precious at home. Sail Caribbean is not responsible for your belongings.
• Label everything with your full name.
• Don’t bring any luggage with a rigid frame, hard bottom, or wheels. Max size of soft duffel should be 36 inches (90 cm) in length. Bring a small to medium size backpack or beach bag as your carry-on.
• Don’t bring any devices that require plug-in power source. Students will have some opportunities to charge phones, music devices, and cameras on shore.
• Don’t bring music, clothing, or personal belongings that others might consider offensive. Items with inappropriate content (sexual, violent, drug-related) are not permitted on the boats.

What to Bring

• Bring only enough clothes for 8-10 days as laundry will be done midway through your adventure.
• Laundry bag labeled with your name and “Sail Caribbean” on the outside in large letters
• 2-3 towels. Include one (1) micro-fiber towel.
• 1 pair of sneakers or all-terrain sandals (Chacos, Tevas, etc.) for easy-to-moderate hiking

IMPORTANT

• Bring a carry-on bag (backpack or beach bag) containing: 2 black pens, medication, toothbrush, a bathing suit, and enough clothing for 2-3 days just in case your luggage does not arrive with you.

TOILETRIES

Please check current airline packing & checking regulations

• Please check labels for environmentally safe products and recycled packaging.
• Small mesh bag for toiletries
• Shower Supplies: shampoo, conditioner, shaving tools
• Antibacterial Body Wash/Soap
• Loofah (THIS IS A MUST as it prevents infections and clears blocked pores)
• Antiperspirant/deodorant
• Gold Bond medicated powder (prevents rash)
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Moisturizer or aloe gel
• Sunstick/Lip balm with SPF 30 or higher (for lips, nose & ears)
• Mosquito repellent for some evenings on land
• Waterproof sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is required. No Suntan Oil is allowed.
• Swimmer’s Ear Drops (if you are prone to swimmer’s ear)

GEAR

• Snorkel Gear (mask, snorkel, fins & a collapsible mesh bag to carry them) is optional, yet highly recommended.
• Sleeping bag – sheets & pillows are provided, but most sleep on deck under the stars! Check as separate item of luggage if necessary.
• Flashlight or head lamp with extra batteries & your name permanently written on it – preferably waterproof.
• A Sail Caribbean water bottle will be handed to you upon arrival in the BVI.

ESSENTIALS for travel and Sail Caribbean specific items

• Airline ticket(s) and/or electronic ticket information or printout
• Passport- A passport is required for travel to all programs
• Visa (if required) If you are not a U.S. citizen a visa may be required. Check the BVI Entry Requirements.
• Keep the above items in a Ziploc/waterproof bag to go through Customs and Immigration
• Spending money – we recommend $100-$125/week and cash is best (See Handbook for more info)

OPTIONAL

• Camera – very highly recommended, waterproof preferred with extra memory
• Phone & charger – Cell phones are collected upon arrival, made available for use at specific times, and returned to you upon departure. Note: iPhones and similar multi-function devices will be treated as cell phones.
• Your favorite game, guitar, harmonica, etc.
• Journal or small notebook – You’ll be surprised at how much you will have to write about!
• Ipod
• Contact Lenses – We highly recommend that you bring along an extra pair and your glasses.

Packing for SCUBA Divers

We provide high-quality SCUBA gear, but many divers like to bring their own equipment with a collapsible mesh bag for carrying it on and off the boats. Do not bring large duffel-style scuba gear bags since storage is limited. Please be sure that all of your personal items are clearly marked with your name. If you need to purchase any items, contact your local dive shop or you may check with us – our BVI dive shop may have what you need.

All Scuba Certification students and Certified Divers must bring:

• Mask
• Snorkel
• Fins (boots if needed)
• Gear bag – collapsible mesh-type (no large duffels)
• Long-sleeved rashguard
• 2-3 pens and pencils
• Water-resistant watch – min 50 meter depth

More requirements & options for your scuba choice below

Open Water Certification students must also bring:

• Score printout from the end of the online eLearning course

Advanced Open Water, Recreational Diving & Rescue Diver students must also bring:

• Certification Card
• Table
• Dive Log in Ziploc bag to keep it dry

Optional equipment:

• Wetsuit (2-3 mm light weight short or long)
• Regulator – must be equipped with an alternate air source, depth gauge and pressure gauge
• BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
• Underwater light
• Dive Computer
• Underwater camera