Packing for a boat day is mostly about the gaps: what the boat already gives you, and what it leaves to you. The three trip listings answer most of that between them, and they disagree more than you might expect. Here is what each listing says, and what follows from it for your bag.
What the trips ask you to bring
The five-hour trip to Sazan Island, Haxhi Ali Cave and Karaburun asks for three things: sunscreen, cash and flip-flops. The eight-hour trip to the Blue Cave and Grama Bay asks for sunscreen, a towel and flip-flops. The three-hour sunset cruise lists nothing at all, which does not mean you need nothing; it simply means the listing leaves the choice to you. Put the two lists together and you have the core of any bag for these trips: sun protection, something soft on your feet for wet decks, a towel and a little money.
Cash deserves a sentence of its own. Both day trips state that the restaurants at the beach accept cash only, so a card in your pocket will not buy you lunch or a cold drink ashore. On the five-hour trip, sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach are not part of the trip either; they can be rented on the spot, again with cash. A small amount in a zip pocket or a waterproof pouch saves the awkward moment of watching everyone else order.
What is already on the boat
On the five-hour trip, the listing promises a modern speedboat, a local guide, life jackets for all passengers and insurance for the tour. It does not list food, water or snorkelling gear. The eight-hour trip is the most generous: bottled water, snorkelling gear, two beers and one soft drink and, for every guest, a choice of two sandwiches or two pieces of byrek. The sunset cruise includes bottled water, two beers or soft drinks and snorkelling gear, along with its swimming stops.
Read the other way round, that tells you what to add. On the five-hour trip, bring your own water and a snack, and your own mask if you want to look under the surface. On the eight-hour trip you can leave the mask at home and travel lighter on food, though a piece of fruit never hurts on a long day. On the evening cruise, a towel and a dry change of clothes matter more than anything else, because the swim comes late and the walk home starts wet. And whatever the trip, keep valuables to a minimum: a boat day involves water, wet towels and getting on and off, and the less you carry, the less there is to watch.
The short list
- Sunscreen and flip-flops for every trip; a towel for the eight-hour day and the evening swim.
- Cash in a waterproof pouch for the beach restaurants and, on the five-hour trip, for sunbeds.
- Your own water and a snack on the five-hour trip, which lists no food or drinks.
- A mask only for the five-hour trip; the other two carry snorkelling gear on board.
