Packing for a fishing charter is different from packing for a beach day. You’ll be offshore for most of the day, exposed to wind, sun, and saltwater spray, with nowhere to stop and buy anything you forgot. Here’s exactly what to bring.
Sun Protection (Pack More Than You Think)
This is the most common thing people underestimate.
- Sunscreen: SPF 50 or higher. Apply before you leave the hotel, bring extra to reapply every 90 minutes. Water-resistant formulas hold up better.
- Wide-brim hat. Baseball caps leave your ears and neck exposed. A full-brim hat is significantly better.
- UV-rated sunglasses. Polarized lenses are ideal — they cut glare on the water and make it much easier to see fish.
- Long-sleeve sun shirt (UPF 40+). Lightweight fishing shirts protect your arms without adding heat. If you don’t own one, they’re available in Liberia and at most resort shops.
Clothing
- Comfortable shorts or board shorts. You’ll be active — moving around the deck, getting in position, potentially getting wet.
- Closed-toe shoes or sandals with straps. Flip-flops are a bad idea on a moving boat. Boat shoes or sport sandals that won’t fly off are far better.
- Light windbreaker or fleece. The ride out at 6 AM can be cold — wind chill at 25 knots offshore is real. You’ll shed it by 9 AM, but you’ll want it at departure.
Medications and Health
- Motion sickness medication. Take Dramamine the night before and the morning of departure. Once you’re nauseated, it’s too late. Scopolamine patches (behind the ear) are highly effective for longer trips.
- Any personal medications. Pack them in a waterproof bag.
- Sunscreen (again). It deserves two mentions.
Food and Drinks
Our charters include lunch and soft drinks on board. But feel free to bring:
- Extra snacks. Granola bars, fruit, crackers — whatever you normally eat.
- Your own drinks. Water, sports drinks, or beer (in moderation until afternoon).
- Avoid heavy meals before departure. A light breakfast is better than a full one if there’s any chance of motion sickness.
For the Catch
If you’re keeping fish (tuna, dorado, snapper), the crew handles cleaning and bagging on board. You don’t need a cooler — we have ice on the boat and will send your catch home properly packed.
What to Leave Behind
- Your expensive camera unless it’s in a proper waterproof housing. A waterproof phone case or an older phone works better offshore. Salt spray gets everywhere.
- Fishing gear — unless you’ve arranged to use personal tackle in advance. The boat is fully rigged.
- Heavy bags. A small day bag or dry bag for your essentials is plenty. Space on deck is shared.
The One Thing Most People Forget
A change of clothes for after. You’ll be sunscreen-covered, saltwater-sprayed, and possibly fish-slimed by the time you dock. Having fresh clothes in the car makes the drive back to the resort dramatically more comfortable.
Still have questions about what to expect? Get in touch — our team answers these questions every day.