Preparation

What to Pack for a Yacht Charter

Pack less than you think. The yacht has more than you expect.

Life on board is barefoot and relaxed, laundry is handled by the crew, and most equipment is provided. Here is what to bring, what to leave behind, and what your yacht already has.

Bag Type

Soft-sided only

Dress Code

None. Barefoot & relaxed

Laundry

Daily, by the crew

Sunscreen

Reef-safe, mineral-based

The Golden Rule

Pack light. Use soft bags.

Yacht cabins have limited storage. Hard-shell suitcases do not fit under bunks or in closet spaces designed for duffel bags and backpacks. A soft-sided bag is easier to stow, easier to transfer by tender, and easier to carry on small domestic aircraft with limited baggage holds.

Most yachts provide daily laundry service. A week's worth of clothing for a 10-night charter is genuinely sufficient. You will spend most of your time in swimwear, a rash guard, and shorts. Shoes are optional almost everywhere on board.

Clothing

Essentials

Swimwear (2 to 3 sets, so one is always dry)
Rash guard or UV-protective shirt (your most-worn item on board)
Light shorts and t-shirts for on deck
A long-sleeve linen or cotton shirt for sun protection and evening breezes
A light rain jacket or windbreaker (brief tropical showers are common)
One pair of closed-toe shoes or sturdy hiking sandals for island treks
Flip-flops for the yacht and beach

Optional

A light fleece or sweater for cooler evenings at sea (Raja Ampat nights can be cool)
Athletic wear if you plan to exercise on deck
A sarong (versatile for sun cover, beach sitting, temple visits)

What You Do Not Need

There is no formal dress code on any Indonesian charter yacht. No dinner jackets, cocktail dresses, or smart shoes. The most dressed-up you will be is a clean t-shirt at dinner. The culture on board is relaxed, barefoot, and unpretentious.

Light packing laid out for a yacht charter

Life on board is barefoot and relaxed; pack lighter than instinct tells you.

Sun Protection

The equatorial sun in Indonesia is intense, and you will be exposed for most of each day. Sun protection is the single most important packing category.

Must-Have

Reef-safe sunscreen (mineral-based, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide; no oxybenzone or octinoxate). This is required in Komodo National Park and Raja Ampat. Bring enough for the entire charter; it is difficult to source in Labuan Bajo or Sorong
Rash guard or UV-protective shirt (SPF 50+ fabric)
Wide-brimmed hat or cap
Quality polarized sunglasses (polarized lenses cut surface glare and let you see into the water)
Lip balm with SPF

PRO TIP

Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before entering the water, and reapply after every session. The most common first-day mistake is underestimating how quickly you burn when snorkeling face-down for an hour. The back of your neck, calves, and the tops of your feet are the areas people forget.

Dive & Water Gear

Provided by the Yacht

Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins)
Dive equipment on dive-equipped yachts (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, tanks, weights)
Kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys
Towels (both cabin and deck/beach towels)

Bring Your Own

Your own dive mask (fit is personal; a well-fitted mask that does not leak is worth the luggage space)
Dive computer and regulator (if you are an experienced diver who prefers their own equipment)
Dive certification card and logbook
Reef booties or water shoes (for rocky entries, beach walks on coral rubble, and island hikes)
A thin wetsuit top or skin for cooler water (Komodo thermoclines can drop to 22°C at depth)

For Surfers

Your own surfboards (2 to 3 recommended; include a step-down for hollow reef breaks)
Board bags (soft cover for the tender transfers, travel bag for flights)
Reef booties (sharp coral between the tender and the lineup)
Rash guard (worn constantly)
Wax appropriate for tropical water temperatures

Most equipment is aboard already; bring only the personal kit that matters to you.

Electronics & Photography

Indonesia's underwater and above-water scenery warrants good photography gear. Consider:

Camera Equipment

Waterproof camera or phone in a waterproof housing (the moments you will most want to photograph are underwater)
GoPro or action camera with dive housing
Mirrorless or DSLR camera for above-water photography (the light in eastern Indonesia, particularly at sunrise and sunset, is extraordinary)
Underwater strobe or video light if you are a serious underwater photographer
Plenty of memory cards and at least one backup
A dry bag for protecting electronics during tender transfers

Charging & Connectivity

Universal power adapter (Indonesia uses European-style two-pin plugs, Type C and F)
Portable power bank for charging devices during island excursions
An Indonesian SIM card (Telkomsel recommended) for cellular connectivity near villages and towns. We can arrange this in advance
Do not rely on WiFi for critical communications; satellite internet on yachts is modest and intermittent in remote areas

Health & Personal

Prescription medications in their original packaging (bring enough for the full charter plus a buffer; pharmacies are not available once you leave Bali)
Motion sickness medication if you are prone (Dramamine or Bonine; consult your doctor about scopolamine patches for longer passages)
Basic first aid: plasters, antiseptic, antihistamines, pain relief. The yacht carries a comprehensive first aid kit, but personal medications and preferences are your responsibility
Insect repellent (DEET-based for island treks; biting insects are present on some islands, particularly at dusk)
Personal toiletries (yachts provide basics: shampoo, conditioner, soap, but bring your preferred products)
Travel insurance documentation (printed or accessible offline)

PRO TIP

If anyone in your group has a severe allergy (bee stings, shellfish, etc.), bring your own EpiPen and inform the crew on embarkation. The nearest hospital in Komodo is Labuan Bajo (basic), and in Raja Ampat it is Sorong (basic). Medical evacuation to Bali or Jakarta takes hours, not minutes.

What to Leave at Home

Just as important as knowing what to bring is knowing what not to pack. These items either will not fit, will not be permitted, or simply will not be used.

Hard-shell suitcases (use soft bags)
Formal clothing (no dress code on any yacht)
Hair dryers and styling tools (cabins have limited power; the humidity makes effort futile anyway)
Valuable jewelry (salt water, sand, and tender transfers are unkind to fine jewelry)
Non-reef-safe sunscreen (will be confiscated at national park checkpoints)
Excessive amounts of anything (laundry is handled daily on board)

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