Every morning at Vlychada we watch guests arrive with backpacks sized for Kilimanjaro, and every evening we hand half the contents back untouched. The boat carries more than people expect; the sun demands less gear and more respect than people plan for. Here's what fifteen seasons of watching people pack wrong has taught us.
The ten things that earn their place
- A dark swimsuit — worn under your clothes. Two reasons. Worn, because the first swim stop arrives twenty minutes after departure and the bathroom queue is real. Dark, because of the rule below. This is the most important item on the list.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30+ and ideally reef-friendly. Five hours of Aegean sun with sea-reflection doubling your dose. Reapply after every swim; the sea keeps no secrets and neither does tomorrow's mirror.
- A hat with a fighting chance. Caps blow off (we retrieve two a week — our unofficial fishing programme). A hat with a chin cord or a snug fit beats a stylish sacrifice.
- Sunglasses, polarised if you own them. Polarised lenses switch the sea's glare off and the seabed on — at the White Beach anchorage you'll see the bottom at six metres.
- A light jacket, shirt or wrap. Non-negotiable on the sunset cruise: the post-sunset ride home is 20 minutes of wind-chill that August cannot cancel. Daytime guests can downgrade this to a linen shirt.
- Phone at 100% (plus a floating case if you have one). You'll shoot ten times more than planned. The hot springs have collected several phones; the floating case is cheap insurance.
- Motion-sickness tablets — if you know you're susceptible. Catamarans are the steadiest thing on this water, but if boats and you have history, take one an hour before departure, not when you feel it.
- A hair tie / claw clip. The Aegean styles aggressively. File under "small item, disproportionate gratitude".
- Any daily medication + seasoned common sense. Inhalers, EpiPens, insulin — bring them even for five hours. Our crew is first-aid trained; your medication is still yours to carry.
- A dry change of underwear/clothes in a small tote. Optional but wise if you intend to swim until the final ladder call — damp transfers home are a rookie tax.
The dark swimsuit rule, explained properly
The volcanic hot springs at Palea Kameni are the day's most memorable swim: 30–35 °C water stained rust-orange by dissolved iron and sulphur compounds. That colour is not just for show — the minerals bond with fabric, and a white or pastel swimsuit can come out with a permanent apricot souvenir. Dark colours (black, navy, forest) shrug it off completely. Locals have known this for generations; now it's on the internet with a heading, and your favourite white bikini is safe in the hotel drawer where it belongs — for today.
Already on board — leave these at the hotel
- Towels — fresh ones are included on every cruise we run, semi-private and private alike.
- Snorkel masks and fins — sanitised sets in all sizes.
- Food and drinks — the BBQ, wine, beer and softs are the whole point. Outside picnics stay ashore.
- Beach umbrellas, camping chairs, Bluetooth speakers — shade exists, seats exist, and the caldera has its own soundtrack. (One speaker per season tries. The sea judges.)
- Heels or dress shoes — decks are barefoot or flat-sandal territory; the teak thanks you.
Month-by-month tweaks
| Month | Add to the list |
|---|---|
| April–May | A real jumper — sea's still waking up (18–20 °C); a light windproof layer earns MVP. |
| June | Nothing extra. The easy month. Maybe a second SPF for good measure. |
| July–August | Electrolytes or an extra water bottle habit, and the highest SPF you respect. Meltemi days feel cooler than they burn. |
| September | Nothing — warmest sea of the year (25–26 °C), gentler sun. The insiders' month. |
| October | The April jumper returns, plus socks-for-later. Golden light compensates generously. |
The one-bag test
If your bag doesn't fit under a catamaran bench, repack. One small tote per person covers every item above with room for the souvenirs you'll swear you won't buy in Oia later. The best-dressed guests on our boats carry the least — they figured out that on a Santorini catamaran, the boat is the luggage.