What to Pack for a Boat Rental Trip: The Essential List

Wondering what essential items I should pack for a boat rental trip in Fort Lauderdale? This is the only boat packing list you will need, designed for a fun-filled day or night on the water in the Yachting Capital. From first sunscreen swipe to last sunset selfie.

First things first. The best things every Lauderdale Adventure includes are a licensed, local Captain. You get to choose your Captain, and he will contact you before the trip to talk about your preferences and details. They make great tour guides, DJs, and photographers.

Below, you will find what belongs on your boat trip checklist, what is already on board, and simple rules for food, meds, and tech. Skim the final 60-second checklist before you leave the dock, and you are packed like a pro.

Safety First

Lauderdale Adventures is licensed, insured, and supplies and maintains all vessel-required safety equipment. We follow USCG rules for our operations and gear. Your job is the personal stuff, clothing, sun care, snacks, hydration, tech, and any medications.

Lauderdale Adventures’ guest inclusions beyond the basics

With Lauderdale Adventures, many "bring it yourself" items are already covered. Your pontoon charter includes

• Multiple coolers, with ice and bottled water

• Two paddle boards

• Floating party pad

• Large Bluetooth speaker

• Canopy top for shade

What essential items should I pack for a boat rental trip?

You will cover six categories: sun protection, food and drinks, clothing and footwear, safety and meds, waterproof storage, and a few comfort extras. This guide works for pontoon charters like ours, a casual 4-hour day or night cruise, or even a 8-hour adventure if you’d like to go to Hollywood or Haulover. If you're curious about areas to explore in the Fort Lauderdale area, here's a guide.

Sun protection that actually works all day

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the SPF 30 to 50+ range, apply 15, 30 minutes before boarding, and reapply every two hours or after swimming. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30+ and regular reapplication for effective protection (source: AAD). Florida sun is strong, so SPF 50 is a smart pick for long, high-UV days. Plan shade breaks around midday and use UPF clothing to reduce reapplication fatigue.

Head-to-toe gear: hats, buffs, and long sleeves (if you like)

A wide-brim hat or a cap with a strap is helpful, plus polarized sunglasses with a retainer so they stay on during a turn or a splash. Polarized lenses cut glare off the water and improve visual contrast in bright conditions, which helps you see more clearly (source: American Academy of Ophthalmology). A UPF long-sleeve shirt or rash guard and a lightweight cover-up protect shoulders and arms without heating you up. Add SPF lip balm and slip a compact aloe or after-sun gel in your bag for instant relief if you overdo it.

• Sunscreen and SPF lip balm

• Polarized sunglasses plus a backup pair and case

• Hat with a strap or clip

• UPF long-sleeve shirt or rash guard

It’s not required, but consider choosing reef-friendly sunscreen is appreciated. "Reef-safe" is not a regulated term, read labels and avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are commonly flagged by marine experts (source: NOAA).

Smart snacks and drinks for a happy crew

Hydration math made easy

For a half-day, plan about 0.5 gallon of water per person (64 ounces or roughly 1.9 liters). For a full day, plan 1 gallon per person (128 ounces or about 3.8 liters), and add electrolytes if it is hot or you will be swimming a lot. The National Park Service often recommends up to one gallon per person per day in hot conditions, handy guidance for any outdoor day (source: NPS). Bring insulated bottles and stash backup waters in the cooler we stock with ice, so everyone refills without thinking.

Heat-proof snacks and simple boat meals

Pick no-mess, no-melt winners like wraps, fruit cups, cut veggies, trail mix, jerky, cheese sticks, hummus and crackers, and easy-peel oranges. Portion foods into containers that will not shatter, and pack serving pieces you can handle with one hand. Pre-slicing and portioning saves time and keeps crumbs off the deck.

Boat charter packing list: cooler and BYOB tips

• Layer ice on the bottom, then drinks, then food, keep a separate dry tote for snacks.

• Bring trash bags and a pack of zip bags for leftovers and wet items.

• BYOB for 21+ is welcome; skip glass and use cans or plastic drinkware.

• Relax while the licensed Captain drives, and keep alcohol moderate so the crew has a smooth day.

Florida allows passengers to drink on a boat, and the operator cannot be impaired, the legal limit is 0.08 BAC (source: Florida FWC). On captained Lauderdale Adventures charters, your captain stays focused on driving while you enjoy the day within our house rules.

Clothing, footwear, and comfort layers

Florida-friendly outfits: quick-dry and breathable

Go with quick-dry swimwear, a UPF cover-up, and light shorts or flowy pants that breathe. Toss a spare dry outfit in a small liner or dry bag so you feel fresh on the ride back. Microfiber towels are your friend because they dry fast and pack tiny.

Shoes that grip: deck-friendly choices

If you like, wear non-slip rubber soles that stay put on wet decks, boat shoes, water shoes, and secure sandals are all solid options. Avoid dark or marking soles that scuff. Wet flip-flops are the most common slip culprit on charters; save them for the ride home. Keep a dry pair for the drive back so you are not leaving in soggy footwear.

Cruising on cool or breezy-day packing checklist

If it’s chilly (yes, that happens in Fort Lauderdale:), add a light windproof shell and a thin fleece for when the sun dips. Crusing days can feel cooler than powerboating because you spend more time in the wind.

IDs

For the person who charters the boat, bring a photo ID.

Captain's Fees

You will need to pay the Captain Fee by cash or Venmo before the start of your cruise.  

SUNSET EVENING CRUISE - $110

4-HOUR ADVENTURE - $170


6-HOUR ADVENTURE - $250

8-HOUR ADVENTURE - $340

Waterproof storage, tech, and fun extras

Dry bag and phone-proofing basics

Use a roll-top dry bag with welded seams for clothes, towels, wallets, and keys. Slip your phone into a floating waterproof case with a lanyard so it survives a surprise splash or a selfie fumble. Stash electronics in a smaller pouch inside the dry bag for a second layer of protection..

Power cords

All boats has one USB port to charge your mobile devices

Final 60-second dockside checklist: what essential items should I pack for a boat rental trip?

• Sun: SPF, UPF shirt, hat, polarized sunglasses with strap, SPF lip balm.

• Food and drink: water target met, electrolytes, heat-safe snacks, cooler packed.

• Comfort and safety: non-slip shoes, dry change, meds, IDs, compact first-aid, dry bag, phone case, power bank.

Your perfect boat day, packed and ready

When you know what belongs in your bag and what is already on board, the whole day feels easier. Start with sun protection, hit your water target, and keep your essentials dry and reachable. The result is a smooth cruise, better photos, and a crew that stays energized and comfortable.

Book your private pontoon charter with Lauderdale Adventures now and show up lighter. We include a licensed captain and trip-ready basics like ice-chilled water, a Bluetooth speaker, and select water toys. Policies such as BYOB rules, pricing, and weather cancellations are subject to our current terms. We work with guests on weather flexibility whenever possible.

We hope this answers your question about packing for your boat rental trip here in Fort Lauderdale. If you have general questions out our charters, check out the FAQ on the bottom of the homepage. Hope to see you at the dock for your Lauderdale Adventure!