What to bring on a boat trip around Menorca
If you're wondering what to bring on a boat trip around Menorca, the short answer is: less than you think. A day of coves on a llaüt isn't a house move. You bring just enough to keep the sun off, get into the water and stay comfortable for a few hours on deck. The rest is surplus and gets in the way.
I write this as a skipper: I leave Es Canutells to sail the south coast most days, and I see people come aboard loaded as if for a week, and people who forget the one thing that really matters. Here's what does count.
The essential list (and why)
Sun protection. It comes first because it's the most neglected. At sea the sun hits twice as hard: the water reflects the light and burns you in places that don't burn on the beach, like the chin or the backs of the legs. Factor 50, reapplied every two hours and always after each swim. If you can, use a cream that's kind to the sea ("reef-safe", no oxybenzone): the posidonia in these coves is what keeps the water so clear, and it'd thank you for not tipping chemicals on it.
A cap or hat and sunglasses. On deck there isn't always somewhere to take cover, although the boat has an awning. Your head and eyes feel it after a few hours of glare off the turquoise water.
Swimwear on from home. It seems obvious, but it saves the dance of changing on board. You come ready for the first anchorage.
A microfibre towel. Better than the usual beach towel: it takes up nothing, weighs less and dries fast. On a boat, space is gold.
A dry bag or pouch. For your phone, documents and a bit of cash. Between the salt, the splashes and the rush to get the photo from the bathing platform, it's the accessory that prevents the most upset.
A light layer. A windproof or a long-sleeved top. Even in July, on the way back or when the breeze picks up the feel changes, especially if the boat is sailing into the wind.
The Menorcan detail: breeze, shadeless coves and snorkelling
There are things you only understand once you sail here. The tramuntana, the north wind, can get up from one day to the next and forces a change of coast; that's why the route is decided according to the sea on the day. That same breeze that cools things at midday is the one that calls for keeping a long sleeve to hand.
The southern coves — Macarella, Mitjana, Trebalúger — are pale sand and shallow water, lovely, but many have barely any natural shade on their shores. All your protection you carry yourself: cream, cap and the shade of the boat's awning.
And then there's the water. The bottom of these coves mixes sand with rock, with fish at shallow depth and posidonia meadows. We already carry a full set of snorkelling kit on board, so there's no need to lug a mask and snorkel. If you have your own water shoes or water sandals and find them comfortable, bring them for the rocky parts; the rest, we provide.
How to avoid seasickness
The llaüt sails gently — it's a boat built for this coast, with little noise and little vibration — but if you're prone to seasickness it's worth preventing. The most effective steps:
- Take the tablet or put the patch on before casting off, not once you already feel ill.
- Have some breakfast, but light. Neither an empty stomach nor a feast.
- If you feel anything, look at the horizon and breathe. The back of the boat, in the open air, usually sits better than staring at your phone.
- Keep hydrated. The sun and the salt dehydrate you more than you'd think.
There's always bottled water on board, so drinking isn't a problem. But the real trick is to get ahead of it.
What NOT to bring (the typical mistakes)
Just as important as the shopping list is knowing what to leave in the car:
- Suitcases or big bags. Bring what fits in a small backpack per person. The boat is for seven passengers and the space is shared.
- Valuables you don't need. Jewellery, expensive watches, lots of cash. The sea and slip-ups don't forgive.
- Glass. A broken glass on deck or in a cove is a serious problem. Drinks in cans or plastic.
- Heeled or dark-soled shoes that leave marks. On board you go barefoot or in clean, light-soled shoes; it's the norm on a llaüt.
- Too much food. The boat has a cooler with ice to chill what you bring; a light picnic — fruit, nuts, a sandwich — is plenty. If you'd rather not carry anything, there's a catering option on board.
If you're coming with children
Families are welcome and the boat carries children's life jackets. For them, double up on sun protection (a lycra rash top for the water, a cap) and bring their trusted floats or armbands if they're still learning. A change of dry clothes for the way back and a snack of their own save more than one drama. The rest — swimming, shade, snorkelling — is already covered on board.
Your quick list before setting off
So you don't forget anything, the essentials fit on one line:
Factor 50 reef-safe cream · cap · sunglasses · swimwear on · microfibre towel · dry bag · a light layer · water and a snack · water shoes (optional) · seasickness tablet if you need it.
Remember that boarding is 15 minutes before departure time from the port of Es Canutells, so leave home with everything ready. The welcome water, the cooler with ice, the snorkelling kit, the shower to rinse off the salt and the shade of the awning, we already provide.
If you want to see which boat you're sailing in and how it's equipped, take a look at the Capeador 43, our Menorcan llaüt. And if you're still choosing where to go, it'll help to read which are the best coves on the south of Menorca to visit by boat. When you've made up your mind, book your boat trip around Menorca and we'll see you at the quay.
Frequently asked questions
What clothes should I bring on a boat trip in summer?
Swimwear on from home, light clothing and, even in the heat, a long-sleeved layer or windproof for the breeze and the way back. And always a cap and sunglasses.
Can I bring my own food and drink on the boat?
Yes. There's a cooler with ice on board to keep it cold. Better a light picnic and drinks in cans or plastic, never glass. If you'd rather not carry anything, there are catering options on request.
Do you have to go barefoot on the boat?
On a llaüt it's usual to go barefoot or in clean, light-soled shoes. For walking the rocky parts of the coves, water shoes or water sandals work well.
How do I avoid seasickness on the boat?
Take the tablet or put the patch on before you cast off, have a light breakfast, look at the horizon if you feel anything and keep hydrated. The llaüt sails gently, but getting ahead of it is what works.
Do I need to bring my own snorkelling kit or life jackets?
No. On board we carry a full set of snorkelling kit and life jackets, children's ones too. If you have your own comfortable water shoes, you can bring them.
How much luggage can I bring on the boat?
Just enough: a small backpack per person. Leave suitcases and big bags in the car; the deck space is shared between everyone.