Quoi apporter lors d'une excursion en bateau : liste complète de colisage

Packing for a boat tour in Side is not like packing for a day at the beach, and the people who get it wrong are easy to spot. They are the ones squinting into the sun without sunglasses by 11am, holding a melting phone they daren't take out near the water, or shivering on the way back because the sea breeze turned cool after the sun dropped. A boat is its own small world for a few hours - no shops, no shade unless the boat provides it, and no nipping back to the room for the thing you forgot. Get the packing right and the day runs itself.

This is a practical, no-fluff packing list based on years of watching what actually works on the water off Side, Kumkoy, Sorgun and the Manavgat River. It covers the genuine essentials, the things people always forget, what you can safely leave behind, and a few details that differ between a sea trip out of Side Harbour and a calmer river cruise. Whether you are on a shared group boat or a private charter, this list will get you on board prepared and comfortable.

The Non-Negotiables: What You Must Bring

Some items are simply not optional. Forget these and the day is noticeably worse - or, in the case of documents and money, you may not get the experience you booked at all.

Sun protection (this is the big one)

The single biggest mistake on a Side boat tour is underestimating the sun. On the water you get hit twice: once from above and once from the reflection off the sea, which is why people who never burn at the hotel pool come back pink. Bring a high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 minimum, 50 if you are fair) and reapply after every swim, not just once in the morning. Add a hat that won't blow off, proper UV sunglasses, and a light long-sleeve shirt or rash vest if you burn easily. The breeze on a moving boat masks how hard the sun is working, so people forget to top up. Do not.

Swimwear and a towel

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you are ready the moment the captain drops anchor at the first swim stop - no awkward changing in a tiny toilet while the boat rolls. Bring a towel (quick-dry microfibre is ideal as it packs small and dries fast) and a dry change of clothes for the trip back. Many boats do not supply towels, so assume you are bringing your own unless your operator says otherwise.

Documents, money and your booking confirmation

Keep your booking confirmation accessible on your phone or printed, plus some cash. Drinks are usually extra on shared tours and you will want money for the on-board bar, the Grand Bazaar stop on a Manavgat river trip, or a tip for a crew that looked after you well. Small Turkish lira notes are handy; euros are widely accepted but you will get change in lira at an awkward rate. If you are an unaccompanied minor or travelling with kids on a different surname, carry ID just in case.

Good to know: Almost every shared tour from Side includes round-trip hotel transfer from Side, Kumkoy, Sorgun, Colakli and Manavgat (Belek and Antalya on request). That means you can travel light from your hotel door - but it also means you cannot pop back for forgotten items once the minibus leaves. Lay everything out the night before.

Protecting Your Phone, Camera and Valuables

Water and electronics are the classic boat-trip casualty. You will want photos of Dolphin Island, the Temple of Apollo from the sea, or the two-waters delta where the Manavgat River meets the Mediterranean - but a wet phone ends the day fast.

Watching for wild dolphins on the Manavgat delta cruise.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch (the cheap zip-lock type with a lanyard works well) so you can shoot photos at the swim stop without panic. A power bank is wise on a full-day trip; you will burn battery on photos and the heat drains batteries faster than you expect. Keep passports, hotel keycards and the bulk of your cash in a small dry bag. On a busy shared boat, do not leave valuables loose on a bench while you swim - tuck them away. Most boats are perfectly honest, but a phone slid off a seat into the bilge or the sea is gone either way.

Comfort Items That Make the Day Better

These are not strictly essential, but regular boat-goers swear by them.

Water shoes or flip-flops: Decks get hot underfoot, ladders can be slippery, and some swim stops have rocky entries. Flip-flops for the deck, water shoes if you have sensitive feet.
A light layer for the journey back: Even in high summer the sea breeze cools quickly once you are wet and the sun starts dropping. A hoodie or sarong saves the ride home.
Refillable water bottle: Stay hydrated - the sun and salt dehydrate you faster than you notice. Some boats sell water; bringing your own is cheaper and greener.
Snacks (within reason): Lunch is usually included, but kids and grazers appreciate a few snacks for the gaps.
Motion-sickness tablets: If you are prone to seasickness, take them 30-60 minutes before boarding, not when you already feel queasy.
Wet wipes and a small dry bag for wet swimwear on the way home.

Sea Tour vs River Cruise: Pack Slightly Differently

Side boat trips leave from two very different places, and what you bring shifts a little depending on which you choose. If you are still deciding between them, our guide to Side Harbour vs the Manavgat River breaks down the experience itself.

Cruising the calm, green Manavgat River toward the delta.

Item	Side Harbour sea tour	Manavgat River cruise
Sunscreen & hat	Essential - open sea, full sun, strong reflection	Essential, but some shaded river stretches
Motion-sickness tablets	Worth it - open-sea swell possible	Rarely needed - water is calm and flat
Extra cash	For drinks and tips	Plus the Grand Bazaar shopping stop
Water shoes	Useful for ladder/open-water entries	Handy for the muddy two-waters delta swim
Camera/phone pouch	Dolphin Island, Apollo Temple from the sea	Delta scenery, riverbanks, bazaar

The Manavgat river trip is the gentler, family-friendly option with the bazaar built in - read the full Manavgat River boat tour guide. The harbour sea tour is the one for open-water swimming and dolphin spotting, covered in the dolphin boat tour guide.

Packing for Families with Kids

Children change the packing equation. The crew provides child-size life jackets, but everything else is on you. Bring extra sunscreen (kids need reapplying constantly), a sun hat that actually stays on, a long-sleeve UV swim top to save you the reapplication battle, and a few familiar snacks. A small toy or two for the transfer and the quieter stretches helps. Pack a full change of clothes per child - they will get wetter than you plan. If your little ones nap, the gentle motion of the boat often does the job for you. For the full rundown, see our best family boat tours in Side guide.

A relaxed day of island hopping and swimming.

Good to know: Children are usually discounted on Side boat tours, and the calm sheltered swim stops are chosen with families in mind. Wild dolphins and loggerhead turtles are often seen on morning sea trips but never guaranteed - manage expectations with kids so a no-dolphin day isn't a disappointment.

What You Can Leave Behind

Over-packing is its own problem - you have to carry it, mind it and keep it dry. You can confidently leave these at the hotel:

Large beach bags and umbrellas: No room and no need; the boat provides shade and seating.
Lots of jewellery and expensive watches: Salt water and the risk of loss make these a bad idea.
Glass bottles: Many boats ban glass on deck for safety - use plastic or a metal bottle.
Snorkelling gear (on private charters): Private charters typically include snorkelling equipment; check before you lug your own.
Your own food cooler (usually): Lunch is included on most shared tours and a BBQ lunch on private ones.

On a private charter especially, the boat does a lot of the heavy lifting - the whole boat, captain and crew, a BBQ lunch, soft drinks and snorkelling gear are part of the package, so you can travel even lighter. See what's included in our private boat rental guide.

A Sample Packing Checklist

Here is the short version to screenshot the night before:

Category	Pack it
Sun	SPF 30-50 water-resistant sunscreen, hat, UV sunglasses, light cover-up
Water	Swimsuit (worn under clothes), quick-dry towel, water shoes/flip-flops
Tech	Waterproof phone pouch, power bank, small dry bag
Money/docs	Booking confirmation, cash (small lira notes), ID
Comfort	Refillable water bottle, snacks, light layer, motion-sickness tablets
Kids	Extra sunscreen, UV swim top, spare clothes, snacks, small toy

Pricing Context: Knowing What's Already Covered

Knowing what your tour includes stops you over-packing and over-spending. Shared group trips run from around EUR 20-25 per person and usually include hotel transfer plus an on-board lunch, with drinks extra - so cash for the bar matters. Private boat rental starts from around EUR 45 per person and includes the whole boat, captain, BBQ lunch, soft drinks and snorkelling gear. A luxury yacht charter is priced per boat (from roughly EUR 600 for the whole boat, not per person). There are no hidden costs, but extras like drinks, bazaar shopping and tips come from your own pocket. For the full breakdown, see our Side boat tour prices guide.

A private motor yacht for a day entirely on your terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my own towel on a Side boat tour?

Usually yes. Most shared boats do not supply towels, so bring a quick-dry one. Some private charters provide them - check with your operator before you assume.

Is lunch included or should I bring food?

Most shared tours include an on-board lunch, and private charters include a BBQ lunch. You may want a few snacks for kids or the gaps, but you do not need to bring a full meal.

Can I bring alcohol on board?

Drinks are usually sold on board and extra on shared tours. Bringing your own is generally discouraged, and many boats ban glass on deck for safety. Buy from the on-board bar and keep cash handy.

Do I need cash, and which currency?

Yes, bring cash for drinks, the Grand Bazaar stop on river trips, and tips. Small Turkish lira notes are easiest. Euros are widely accepted but change comes in lira at a poor rate.

Will I get seasick on a Side boat tour?

Open-sea trips from Side Harbour can have some swell; the Manavgat River is calm and flat. If you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet 30-60 minutes before boarding. Mornings are calmest.

Do I need to bring snorkelling gear?

On a private charter, no - gear is usually included. On a shared tour, bring your own mask and snorkel if you are particular about fit and hygiene; basic gear may or may not be available.

Should I bring water shoes?

They help. Decks get hot, ladders are slippery, and the two-waters delta swim can be muddy underfoot. Flip-flops cover the deck; water shoes are better for rocky or muddy entries.

How do I protect my phone from water?

Use a waterproof zip pouch with a lanyard so you can take photos at swim stops without worry. Keep the rest of your valuables in a small dry bag and never leave them loose while you swim.

What should children wear and bring?

A UV long-sleeve swim top saves constant sunscreen battles, plus a secure hat, lots of sunscreen, spare clothes and snacks. Child-size life jackets are provided by the crew.

Do I need sunscreen if it's cloudy?

Yes. UV penetrates cloud and the sea reflects it back at you. People burn on overcast days at sea precisely because they skip protection. Always pack and reapply sunscreen.

Can I bring a drone or large camera?

A small camera is fine; a drone is risky on a moving boat over water and may be restricted near sites. Most people get great shots with a phone in a waterproof pouch.

What if I forget something?

Once the hotel transfer leaves, you cannot pop back. Lay everything out the night before. The most-forgotten items are sunscreen top-ups, a towel, cash and a phone pouch - prioritise those.

Is there shade on the boat?

Most boats have a shaded upper or lower area, but space is limited on busy shared trips. Bring your own sun protection rather than relying on grabbing a shaded seat.

Should I wear my swimsuit before boarding?

Yes. Wear it under your clothes so you are ready at the first swim stop. Changing in a small rolling toilet is no fun, and you will not want to miss water time fiddling with straps.

Do private charters require me to bring less?

Yes. The whole boat, captain and crew, BBQ lunch, soft drinks and snorkelling gear are included, so you travel lighter. Just bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel and cash.

Final Thoughts

The perfect Side boat tour packing list is short, smart and built around three things: sun protection, keeping your valuables dry, and being ready to swim the moment the anchor drops. Everything else is comfort. Lay it out the night before, wear your swimsuit under your clothes, and you will spend the day enjoying the water instead of wishing you had remembered the sunscreen. The sea off Side is forgiving on most days - your skin and your phone are not.

Ready to set sail from Side?

Pack your bag and let an experienced captain handle the rest - hotel transfer, lunch and gear sorted on a group boat trip from Side.

Browse group boat tours ->

Quoi apporter lors d'une excursion en bateau : la liste complète de colisage