What to Pack for a Sailing Holiday in Greece: Complete Packing List
Sailing holiday advice · Packing list
Packing for a sailing holiday in Greece is easier than you think. Space on board is limited and life is relaxed, so a soft bag of light clothes, good sun protection, and a few clever extras will see you through the week.
This guide covers what to pack for a sailing holiday, from clothing and footwear to sun protection, kit for on board, and the documents you need, plus what to leave at home. Still choosing your trip? See our flotilla holidays.
In short
For a sailing holiday in Greece, pack a soft bag rather than a suitcase, with light, quick-drying clothes, two swimsuits, a warm layer and a light waterproof for evenings, and soft-soled deck shoes. Add high-factor reef-safe sun cream, polarised sunglasses, a hat with a strap, a dry bag, a power bank, and any seasickness remedies. Bring your passport, travel insurance, GHIC, and, if you’re skippering, your original sailing licence or ICC.
On this page
Clothing
What to wear on a sailing holiday
Comfort is everything on a yacht. Choose light, breathable fabrics that dry quickly, and plan on living in swimwear and shorts for most of the day.
On board
- Light, moisture-wicking T-shirts and tops
- Two swimsuits, so one can dry while you wear the other
- A long-sleeve sun shirt or UV rash vest
- Shorts and loose, airy clothes
- A fleece or light jumper for evenings, and for April, May, and October
Ashore
- A sundress, or a collared shirt with linen trousers, for taverna dinners
- A light waterproof jacket or windbreaker
- Something to cover your shoulders and knees for visiting churches and monasteries
Footwear
- Soft-soled deck shoes with good grip, ideally with pale, non-marking soles
- Flip-flops or sandals for the beach and harbour
- Water shoes for rocky beaches and sea urchins
Barefoot is fine
Plenty of sailors go barefoot on deck in good weather. Just avoid black-soled shoes, which can mark the deck, and wear shoes when you’re handling ropes or stepping ashore.
Sun protection
Sun protection for long days on deck
The breeze keeps you cool on the water, so it’s easy to forget how strong the Greek sun is. Sunlight reflects off the sea and the deck too, so protect yourself from every angle.
- Reef-safe sun cream, SPF 50: kinder to marine life everywhere you swim. Read more in our guide to eco friendly sailing holidays.
- Polarised sunglasses with a strap: they cut the glare off the water, and the strap stops them going overboard.
- A wide-brim hat or cap with a chin strap: so it stays on in the afternoon breeze.
- Lip balm with SPF: wind and salt dry your lips quickly.
- After-sun: for the end of a long day on deck.
On board
Handy kit to bring on board
Your yacht comes with all the standard safety equipment, from lifejackets to a first-aid kit. These small extras make life on board easier.
Gear and gadgets
- A dry bag for trips ashore in the tender
- A power bank and a USB charging cable
- A waterproof phone pouch
- A head torch for moving around at night
- A reusable water bottle
- A mask and snorkel
Health and comfort
- Seasickness tablets or wristbands
- Any personal medication, in your hand luggage
- Plasters and blister care
- Insect repellent for evenings in harbour
- Sailing gloves, if you’ll be handling ropes
Charging on board
Power on a yacht is limited, especially at anchor, so you won’t be able to run a hairdryer. A power bank keeps your phone topped up between harbours.
Before you set off each day, check the forecast on meteo.gr, and read the RYA’s on-water safety advice before your trip.
Documents
Documents and money
- Passport, valid for your whole trip.
- Travel insurance, with a copy of the policy on your phone.
- GHIC or EHIC: UK travellers need a Global Health Insurance Card, which replaced the EHIC. Bring it alongside your insurance, not instead of it.
- Your sailing qualifications, if you’re skippering: take your original certificates and your ICC, as photocopies may be refused. Our guide to the ICC licence in Greece explains what you need.
- Some cash in euros for small tavernas, village shops, and harbour fees.
Pack light
What not to pack
Storage on a yacht is tight, and anything you don’t use just gets in the way. Here’s what to leave behind, and what to bring instead.
Leave at home
- A hard suitcase
- Too many outfits
- Expensive jewellery
- Hairdryers and straighteners
- Heavy books
- Black-soled shoes
Bring instead
- A soft holdall that folds flat
- A few versatile pieces you can mix and match
- Simple accessories you won’t mind losing
- A hat and a hair tie
- An e-reader or one paperback
- Soft-soled deck shoes
Use packing cubes or dry bags
They keep your things organised in a small cabin locker, and leave a little room for souvenirs on the way home.
Plan your trip
Ready to sail?
Once you know what to pack, the fun part is choosing where to go.
Corinth Canal and Saronic Gulf
Flotilla · April to November
One-way weeks between Kiato and Korfos via the iconic Corinth Canal. Yacht prices from £1,778.
All our flotillas
Ionian, Aegean, and beyond
Skipper your own yacht with a lead crew nearby, from the calm Ionian to the Dodecanese.
Thinking about a spring sail? Find out why April is perfect for the Saronic Gulf, or read our Saronic Gulf sailing guide.
Common questions
What to pack for a sailing holiday: your questions answered
What shoes should I wear on a yacht?
Soft-soled deck shoes with good grip and pale, non-marking soles. Many people go barefoot on deck in good weather, and flip-flops or sandals are fine ashore.
Can I bring a suitcase on a sailing holiday?
It’s best not to. Storage on board is limited, and a hard suitcase is difficult to stow. A soft holdall or duffel bag folds away easily.
Do I need warm clothes for sailing in Greece?
Yes, a little. Evenings on the water can feel cool, especially in April, May, and October, so bring a fleece or light jumper and a windproof jacket.
Can I charge my phone on board?
Yes, but power is limited, especially at anchor. Bring a power bank and a USB cable, and leave high-power items like hairdryers at home.
What documents do I need to skipper a yacht in Greece?
Your original sailing qualifications and an ICC, plus your passport and travel insurance. See our ICC licence guide for details.
Bags packed?
Plan your Greek sailing holiday
Tell us when you’d like to sail and who’s coming, and we’ll find the right flotilla, yacht, or charter for you.
Call or email us
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00 · Saturday 09:30 to 17:00
Book with confidence. Seafarer has run sailing holidays since 1995, and every payment you make to us is financially protected: ATOL licence 9511 for holidays with flights, ABTOT member 5660 for holidays without.