Whether you’re flying to a bonefish flat or loading the truck for a long weekend at the coast, packing for saltwater is its own art. Pack wrong and you’re either sunburned and miserable or dragging three bags you never open. The Insider approach: protect against sun, salt, and water, and leave the rest at home.
Sun protection comes first, because the sun on the water is relentless — it comes at you from above and off the surface. Pack a long-sleeve sun shirt (the lightweight UPF kind beats sweating in a heavy tee), a wide-brim or flap hat, a quality buff or neck gaiter, polarized sunglasses with a retainer so they don’t go to the bottom, and plenty of reef-safe sunscreen and lip balm with SPF. Sunburn is the single most common thing that ruins a saltwater trip.
Protect your gear from water and salt. A roll-top dry bag is the best money you’ll spend — phones, wallet, camera, and keys live in there, full stop. Pack a couple of zip-top bags for the same reason. Everything that goes on a boat gets wet eventually, so assume it and plan around it. Quick-dry clothing beats cotton, which stays soggy and chafes. Bring more than one pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked — non-marking soles if you’re on someone’s nice boat.
Layer for the reality that mornings offshore are cold and afternoons are hot. A light, packable waterproof shell handles spray and the run out before sunrise. You can always peel layers; you can’t add what you didn’t bring.
Don’t forget the practical kit: any medications, seasickness remedies taken before you feel sick (not after — by then it’s too late), a small personal first-aid kit, a refillable water bottle, and a way to keep your phone charged.
And on the flip side — leave the stuff you won’t use. You don’t need five outfits for a three-day trip where you’ll basically live in two sun shirts and board shorts. Pack light, pack smart, pack dry.
Training & safety note: Heat and sun do real damage fast on the water — hydrate before you’re thirsty, and reapply sunscreen far more often than you think you need to. If you’re prone to seasickness, talk to a pharmacist or your doctor about options before the trip and take them on schedule, not as a rescue. Check airline and any destination regulations on packing hooks, knives, or fishing gear, and never pack anything sharp or restricted in a carry-on.
Cover sun, salt, and water — and walk on board light, dry, and ready to fish.
By The Saltwater Insider Crew
See you on the water.