Booking a boat trip is the easy part. Doubts arise the night before: what do I take? The short answer is that you need far less than you think, but getting four things right makes the difference between enjoying the outing and spending it feeling a little uncomfortable. This is the five-minute list we give anyone who asks us on the pontoon, written by people who watch hundreds of passengers come aboard every season.
First things first: for a classic trip along the coast and bay of Benalmádena you do not need to kit yourself out as if for an ocean crossing. We are talking about an outing of 1 h, in sheltered waters and with the coast always in sight, aboard a classic wooden sailing boat that has twice sailed around the world. What follows is what people actually use on board.
Clothing and footwear: what really matters
The golden rule of dressing on board is to dress in layers. In Benalmádena you can set off with thirty degrees at the harbour and feel a good deal cooler as soon as the boat picks up the breeze, especially on the way back, when the sun goes down and the wind picks up. Bring a light layer for the return (a thin jumper or a windbreaker) even if it seems absurd on dry land. It is the tip that repeat visitors are most grateful for, and all the more so if you choose a longer route by private boat to Fuengirola, where you spend more time on the water.
When it comes to footwear, there is a single rule that matters: soft, flat soles. Canvas trainers, deck shoes or simply going barefoot on deck all work perfectly. Leave heels and hard or aggressively treaded soles at home: they slip on the wet deck and mark the wood, which on a boat with heritage is cared for as part of its charm. Add comfortable clothes you do not mind getting wet, and you are set.
An extra that is much appreciated: a small waterproof bag (or simply a zip-lock bag) for your phone, keys and documents. On deck water splashes up with the wind and sea spray, so you can keep your valuables dry without having to worry about them. Anything bulky is better left in the car or at your accommodation: you are better off travelling light on board.
Sun and shade: the most common mistake
The number-one mistake first-timers make is underestimating the sun. On deck there is very little shade (it is a sailing boat, not a covered terrace) and at midday the reflection off the water multiplies your exposure. It is our French passengers above all who remind us, coming back every season and already warning their companions: a cap or hat, without fail.
Your minimum sun kit fits in one hand: high protection (SPF 50), a cap or hat and sunglasses. If your skin is sensitive, a light long-sleeved top saves your back without making you overheat. And a bottle of water: the breeze is deceptive and dehydrates you without you noticing. With that, a day out in the sun goes from an ordeal to exactly what you came for.
Two notes that make the difference: reapply the sunscreen halfway through the outing (water and sweat wash it off) and do not trust cloudy days, because the sea’s reflection burns just the same. At midday exposure is at its highest; late in the afternoon the sun is gentler and the light is better for photos.
If you are coming with children
A boat trip is a great choice with children: they love leaning out to look for dolphins and feeling the sway. It just needs a little preparation. On board there are regulation life jackets, but if you have an approved one in your child’s size, bring it. Add children’s sunscreen, a cap and a change of clothes: they always get wet—it is a law of the sea.
A good tip is to book the dolphin-watching trip first thing in the morning, when the sea is calmer and the little ones cope better. And even if you do not speak Spanish, do not worry: the crew gets by in Spanish, English and French, so the explanations and safety rules are understood by everyone.
What NOT to bring (and what is already on board)
This is where we save weight in your bag. You do not need to bring drinks or snacks: on board there is a welcome toast included (cava, sangria or soft drinks, depending on the outing) served by the crew. Nor do you need cool boxes, crockery or ice.
What is worth bringing if you fancy it: wear your swimsuit and bring a towel, because when sea conditions allow there is a swim stop and a bow sun deck. On the other hand, snorkel or paddleboard gear is not included; if you are keen to explore underwater, bring your own mask. And leave bulky luggage on land, along with powerful speakers (it is a charming sailing boat, not a floating nightclub) and any plans to work while sailing: there are no sockets on deck, so set off with your phone charged and, if you take photos or video, with battery to spare.
And if I get seasick? Express prevention
If it is your first time, this is the question almost no one asks out loud. In the bay of Benalmádena the water is usually calm and most people feel nothing, but if you are prone to seasickness the best advice fits in one sentence: take a seasickness tablet about thirty minutes before boarding, not once you already feel sick. Eat something light beforehand, keep hydrated and, once aboard, look at the horizon and sit towards the middle of the boat. If the sailing route to the open sea tempts you, bear in mind that out in the open the movement is more noticeable than in the bay; with a bit of composure and foresight, it is perfectly manageable.
We have summed it up here in two lines, but if you want full details we cover it in our guide on how to prevent seasickness on a boat.
A practical note before you zip up your bag: the shared trip sets off with up to 12 people aboard, so do not expect an empty deck. It is part of the atmosphere… and also the reason to book well in advance and choose your spot in the shade.
Frequently asked questions
What clothes do I wear for a boat trip?
Wear comfortable clothes in layers: a swimsuit or something light for the way out and a light layer for the way back (a thin jumper or windbreaker). Footwear should always be soft-soled and flat; no heels or hard soles.
Do I have to bring food or drink?
No need. The welcome toast is included (cava, sangria or soft drinks). We only recommend bringing a bottle of water, because with the sun and the breeze you dehydrate without realising.
Can I swim? Do I bring a swimsuit?
Yes: when sea conditions allow there is a swim stop and a bow sun deck, so wear your swimsuit and bring a towel. Bear in mind that snorkel or paddleboard gear is not included; if you want it, bring it yourself.
Is it a good plan with children?
Very much so. On board there are regulation life jackets and the crew speaks Spanish, English and French. Bring children’s sunscreen, a cap and a change of clothes, and book for first thing in the morning, when the sea is calmer.
And if I get seasick easily?
The bay is usually calm. Even so, take a tablet about 30 minutes before boarding, look at the horizon and sit towards the middle. We go into it in the guide to preventing seasickness.
Got your bag ready? This is the trip you are getting everything ready for:
Price table
1 hRates
Departures
Add-ons
- Soft Drink Included · 1 per person per full hour
All prices include VAT.
With your bag packed, all that is left is to choose a plan and a date. If you are still mulling over the day, take a look at everything you can do in Benalmádena by the sea: see you on the pontoon, in front of the mast of our classic sailing boat.