What to wear for a day at sea
Why fabrics matter
On board you get sun, salt and wind all at once. Linen, lightweight cotton, silk and viscose let the air through and dry without clinging; heavy synthetics turn the deck into a sauna. A linen overshirt draped over your shoulders gives better protection than half a tube of sunscreen and comes off in a second.
Swimwear goes on before you leave
On full-day tours the swim stop comes with little warning and lasts about half an hour: those already in their swimwear are in the water while everyone else is hunting for a corner to change. On the short island circuits there’s no swim stop at all, so you only need your swimwear if you plan to hit the beach afterwards. How long each tour lasts explains which option does what.
What to bring
- Swimwear already on under your clothes
- A towel – it dries you off and doubles as a cushion on the bench
- A sweatshirt or light jacket for the trip back
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Easy slip-on shoes that don’t need you to sit down
What to leave in your suitcase
- Lace-up sandals and city shoes
- Heavy synthetic fabrics
- Rigid, bulky bags
- Nice clothes: salt stains
The return trip is the chilly part
On full-day excursions, the sail back to the mainland takes about an hour, with wet hair and the sun low in the sky. A light sweatshirt in your bag makes all the difference during that hour. The same goes for anyone returning from an island tour in the late afternoon, when the breeze shifts.
Footwear: many boats ask you to remove your shoes on board. A pair you can slip off while standing—no laces, no sitting down—saves you the hassle when boarding.
If you get seasick or are travelling with children
Those prone to seasickness should keep clothing light: nothing tight at the waist, no layers that overheat. With kids, pack a hat, a long-sleeved top for the water, and a dry change of clothes, as explained in boating with children. Timing helps: in April or October, you’ll need more layers than sunscreen; in August, the opposite. And if your day at sea includes lunch on board, the review of a lunch-included tour gives you a realistic idea of the space you’ll have.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need swimwear for the short island tour?
On one- or two-hour tours from Marina Grande, there’s no swimming stop, so no—unless you’re heading straight to the beach afterwards. Tour durations are listed in how long the tour lasts.
What shoes should you wear on a boat?
Low shoes you can remove while standing: many boats ask you to go barefoot. Dark soles may leave marks on the deck.
Do you need a sweatshirt even in summer?
Yes, for the return trip: on full-day excursions, you’ll sail back to the mainland for about an hour, wet and with the wind in your face. See when to go for how the experience changes from month to month.
What should you wear to enter the Blue Grotto?
Comfortable and dry: you enter the grotto lying down in small rowing boats, and the manoeuvre is quick. How it works is explained in how the Blue Grotto works.