What I Pack In My Sailing Backpack For A Day Ashore
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There’s a very specific type of backpack that works well for sailing life.
It needs to be hard wearing to survive salty dinghy rides, wet togs, sandy beaches, marina showers, grocery runs, café lounging, and comfortable to wear for the common ‘we’ll only be ashore for an hour or so’ trip that turns into an all-day mission chasing spare parts or joining new friends on a side-quest.
After enough trips ashore where I forgot my togs, insect repellent, phone charger, or cash, I’ve slowly built up a list of things that now permanently live in my sailing backpack.
I’ve used a lot of bags over the years, but lately I’ve been loading up the Zorali Escapade because it’s durable, soft enough to stash in a locker, and fits the crossover between boat life and everyday exploring ashore. Admittedly, waterproof backpacks like these are best on rainy days but I don’t always want the dry bag look when I head ashore on my errand run in the sunshine. Plus the Escapade has way more pockets for all my bits’n pieces (as you’ll see!).
So if you’re newer to sailing, heading off on a cruising trip, or just curious what actually becomes useful living between boat and land — here’s my packing guide and a peak at what’s usually inside mine to keep you covered for all your onshore expeditions.
All The Things (Mostly)
The ‘Always In My Bag’ Essentials
Togs and Towel
There’s an unwritten rule in sailing that if you don’t pack swimwear , you’ll immediately find a beautiful local swimming hole and wish you had. And I’m a fan of skinny-dipping but that’s kinda frowned upon when there’s other people around unless you’re in France…or Spain…in which case viva la vida!
A beach swim, waterfall stop, marina shower, snorkel mission, or random swim off the boat always seems to be on the cards.
I pack a lightweight Turkish beach towel (like these premium cotton ones) because it dries quickly, takes up very little room, and won’t leave the rest of my gear feeling damp for days afterwards.
Pawpaw Lip Balm
I will probably be buried with a tube of this
My name is Tara and I’m a lip-balm addict. Salt, wind, and sun absolutely hammer my lips in the outdoors. I get a lot of stick from my family about having a lip balm in every pocket of every jacket I own — so there’s definitely one in the backpack.
Lucas’ Papaw Ointment is the one I carry most, as it’s one of the few brands you don’t have to reapply a million times an hour. Plus it’s an amazing salve on nicks and scratches and mozzie bites (also something I usually have on me but I wish I didn’t).
Insect Repellent
Speaking of mosquitos, some anchorages look like paradise until you drop the hook and head ashore and run head on into clouds of the high-pitched devils. Or aggressive sandflies. Commiserations if you too attract every biter within a fifty-mile radius. It seems they enjoy sundowners as much as I do, so DEET spray is in my bag for self-defence. Since my bites tend to last for days my best plan is to try and avoid them in the first place.
Sun Protection: Hat and Sunscreen
I’m far less casual about sun exposure than I used to be (also helps that my Australian mum was hardcore on lectures about lathering sunscreen and wearing wide brimmed hats). Long hours in the outdoors do add up, especially when you’re travelling between water, beaches, and town. Protect your skin and keep it healthy. There are plenty of great sunhats for sailing (you can take your pick of them here) and I always have one in my bag, along with sunscreen. This (nicer for the ocean reefs ) natural zinc from Smidge is my go-to.
My beach essentials — sunscreen, post-swim skin and haircare, and DEET insect repellent
Glasses
Sunnies are a must-have on all ocean adventures. And cutting the glare of the sunshine is mandatory. My Vallon Heron Ocean sunnies are king for this job.
Wallet
If you’re travelling, my biggest tip is to leave any home-town cards you don’t need on the boat or at home. I’ve stripped my wallet of library, bus and shop loyalty cards — because (touch wood) if I lose my wallet — there are not a bajillion things I’m having to replace. My Wise card is my absolute faithful payment for travel — along with some local currency. Plenty of small shops and islands don’t take card payments, and I hate missing out on a cold drink because I presumed there would be eftpos!
Dinghy Kill Cord
If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve had to dig through my pack to find my kill cord which has fallen to the bottom, I’d be sailing a Kraken by now! Using the handy key clip tucked just inside the front pocket of the Escapade backpack, I just clip the cord straight on — safely secured, never lost and easy to grab out again.
The key clip is super handy for keeping your keys safe — I use it for our kill cord for easy access
Phone Charger
It’s not a great feeling having the messages of impending doom pop up on your phone: ‘20% battery’…‘10% battery’…
Especially when your phone doubles as your map, camera, weather, banking, comms, and general life line. You can guarantee the day you leave your phone charger at home, your battery will drain quicker than a glass of icy beer on a hot day.
I have a spare charge cord that lives in my backpack. It also feels pretty good when I can loan it out to someone else ashore hunting for emergency phone charging.
Spare Shopping Bag
As cruising sailors we’re naturally passionate about reusable bags (no single use plastic here thank you very much!).
One minute you’re heading ashore to stretch your legs and the next you’re carrying back groceries, laundry supplies, boat parts, snacks, and somehow a watermelon from a roadside stall.
A lightweight fold-up tote bag earns its keep fast.
Small Bandage Kit
Not sure how exactly they each happen, but random nicks and scrapes just seem to appear as part of boat life. Handy to have a few bandaids tucked away.
Tissues, Pain Relief and Hair Ties
All self-explanatory small items that I tuck in the front pocket.
Water Bottle
Hydrate or die. It’s one of the best slogans out there (nice one Camelbak) — and entirely true. I prefer to hydrate with a resusable bottle. I’m currently keeping my drinks cool with the big 26oz YETI Rambler and surprisingly, this actually fits in the side pocket of the Escapade backpack.
Merino Neck Gaiter
This one has been a recent addition and it’s awesome! The neck gaiter is so multipurpose (which I love) — and keeps the sun off, or my ears warm in the wind, or my bangs out of my eyes.
I’ve been using the Zorali merino gaiter because it’s so soft, breathable, and doesn’t get overly hot in the sun like some synthetic buffs can. Plus it takes up basically no room tucking it into my backpack.
‘Depending On The Mission’ Backpack Inclusions
Zorali Trailblazer Hiking Sandals
These Zorali Trailblazer’s are my current go-to shore shoes because they’re pretty much wear anywhere footwear! They rinse off easily after sandy beach landings and don’t look out of place in a cafe like sailing boots might, but equally you can haul yourself up a slippery track on a side-quest to admire the view.
I’ve found these really good jumping out of the dinghy into rocky coralie shores, and navigating dodgy wharfs in the rain. Super grip and really comfy — and these pack in the side pockets when I go barefoot on the beach.
A Good Read
It can be frustrating at times (my patience is a work in progress) but cruising is made up of a series of periods of downtime in between tasks and passages.
Waiting for weather.
Waiting for laundry.
Waiting for friends.
Waiting for tide changes.
Pulling out a good book to escape into makes all of the slower moments feel intentional and more enjoyable. I’ve been whiling away the days waiting to go sailing, on my new Kindle reading and re-reading the ACOTAR series…I love Rhysand and Feyre *sigh*.
Laptop (If It’s A Work Day)
The reality of cruising life is that a lot of us rely on keeping remote jobs and keeping the pennies rolling in! So there are a lot of work days in the mix.
Some days my backpack literally becomes a transportable office — carrying my MacBook, hard drive, headphones, chargers and notebook while I hunt down a café with decent enough WiFi. And then buying rounds of coffee and lunch to support my stay-as-long-as-I-can work day.
After Swim Hair and Skincare (If It’s A Beach Day)
My hair and skin are back to feeling soft and lovely again since using these
Part of looking after my hair and skin better this year (which I wrote about here) includes using Mermaid’s Secret, one of the best collection of hydration products to use if you’re always in the ocean. These are small enough to carry around, and easy to use when I can grab a fresh rinse ashore.
A Few Extras That Usually Sneak Inside
A decent headtorch (You will never regret having light to retrace your dinghy path back to the boat)
Light rain jacket (Don’t pack it? It’ll rain. Guaranteed).
Snacks (No one gets hangry on my watch)
Sanitary pads (No one gets caught out by Shark Week)
Drybag bag for valuables (As in, my wallet and phone)
Pen (Or pencil — anything to scratch out notes or leave your number with someone)
Hand sanitiser (I’ve been in enough dodgy loos in my travels!)
Shop My Sailing Backpack Gear
Backpack: Zorali Escapade Backpack
Footwear: Zorali Trailblazer Sandals
Sun Protection: Smidge Zinc Sunscreen
Skin & Hair Care: Mermaid’s Secret
Layer: Zorali Merino Neck Gaiter
Headtorch: Black Diamond Head Torch
Waterbottle: YETI Rambler 26oz
Foldable Waterproof Shopping Bag: Kaxich Eco Travel Bag
Turkish Beach Towel:Nicola Spring Turkish Towel
Reading: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Sunglasses: Vallon Heron Ocean
In Summary
I’ve had too many dinghy rides where I was halfway to shore (or worse: already strolling about town) and realised that I’d forgotten something important and left it onboard.
No charger.
No towel.
No hat.
No cash.
Often it’s not major but it’s always really annoying. And cruising has a funny habit of turning a quick trip ashore into an entire day of making the most of it. So over time, my back-pack packing has evolved so I don’t forget anything. If you’re newer to sailing, heading off on a charter, or preparing for your own cruising adventures, hopefully this packing guide helps you avoid at least a few of the extra purchases ashore that I made early on!
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