Working out what to bring on a boat trip in Koh Samui is simpler than it sounds. A day in the Gulf of Thailand is mostly sun, salt water and wet feet. Bring the few things the boat cannot give you, protect whatever does not like water, and leave the rest at the hotel.
The list assumes a typical Koh Samui island-hopping day, like the Samui Journey 1-Day Catamaran to the Five Islands, Koh Tan and Pig Island. Ang Thong and Koh Tao-style trips need a couple of extras, and those are covered near the end.
Quick facts
| The short list | Swimsuit, towel, sandals, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, camera |
| Wear to pickup | Swimsuit under light clothes, sandals, hat |
| Protect | Phone, cash and cards in a dry bag or waterproof pouch |
| Leave at the hotel | Passport original, jewellery, anything you would hate to lose overboard |
| Already on the catamaran | Snorkel gear, life jackets, lunch, free-flow drinks, toilet, first-aid kit, accident insurance |
| Not included | Personal spending and optional tips |
What to wear to pickup
Hotel pickup for the catamaran runs from 9:00 to 9:40 AM depending on your area, and the first swim stop comes within a couple of hours of sailing. Save yourself hunting for somewhere to change.
- Swimsuit on under your clothes. Then you’re ready the moment the boat anchors.
- Light cover-up: a loose shirt, sarong or shorts that dry quickly. Handy at lunch, at the beach stop and on the ride home.
- Sandals or slides: easy to slip off on deck and fine on sand. Leave trainers at the hotel unless your trip involves a hike.
- A hat that stays on: it’s windier on deck than on land, so pick one with a chin strap or one you can stuff in your bag.
What to bring on a boat trip: the checklist
In your bag
- Towel (a quick-dry travel towel packs smallest)
- Swimsuit (if not wearing it) and a dry set of underwear for the trip home
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Sunglasses, ideally with a strap
- Camera, or phone in a waterproof pouch
- Small dry bag for phone, cash and cards
- Some cash for personal spending and tips
- Any personal medication
- Lip balm with SPF
- A plastic bag for wet swimwear
Sun protection
On a boat the sun gets you twice, once from above and again off the water. That is why boat days catch out people who never burn on the beach.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Thailand bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben in its marine national parks, with fines of up to ฿100,000. Even where the rule doesn’t apply, it is kinder to the reefs you are about to swim over. Read the ingredients list, not the label on the front.
- Rash guard or a long-sleeved swim shirt. Nothing protects your back and shoulders better while you snorkel face down.
- Reapply after every swim. Towelling off removes more sunscreen than the water does.
Phone, camera and money
- Waterproof phone pouch if you want photos in or near the water.
- Dry bag for everything else. A basic roll-top bag does the job.
- Power bank: photos, maps and messages drain a phone faster in the heat.
- Cash in small notes for personal purchases and tips (tips are optional and not included in the tour price).
Already on board: what you don’t need to pack
On the Samui Journey catamaran these are provided, so you can leave them at the hotel.
| Provided on board | So you can skip… |
|---|---|
| Snorkel gear and life jackets | Bringing your own mask and snorkel (unless you prefer your own fit) |
| Lunch with seasonal fruit | Packing a picnic |
| Free-flow cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks and drinking water | Carrying bottles of water |
| Paddleboard, kayak, banana boat, springboard, floating sea pool, water slide, all included | Inflatables and pool toys |
| Toilet on board | Worrying about facilities between stops |
| Accident insurance and first-aid kit | Nothing to skip here, but bring your own regular medication |
For children
- Rash guard and sun hat for each child
- Swim nappies for little ones
- A spare set of dry clothes
- A familiar snack in case lunch does not suit a fussy eater
- A small toy or book for the ride back, when energy dips
Life jackets are provided, and under-5s join the catamaran free of charge. Check that each child’s jacket fits snugly before they get in the water. It shouldn’t ride up over their chin.
If you get seasick
- Eat a light breakfast. An empty stomach and a heavy one both make things worse.
- Talk to a pharmacist about motion-sickness tablets before the day. Most only work well if you take them before you board.
- Pick your spot: the middle of the boat moves least. Fresh air and a view of the horizon help more than sitting inside looking at your phone.
- Ginger sweets or ginger tea are a popular mild remedy.
- Choose a steadier boat: a large catamaran on short island-to-island hops is usually gentler than a small speedboat on a long open-water crossing. Our comparison of Ang Thong or Pig Island covers this in more detail.
What to leave at the hotel
- Your passport. Carry a photo or photocopy of the ID page instead.
- Jewellery and good watches. Rings slip off in water, and salt is hard on metal.
- Large amounts of cash.
- Laptops, tablets and anything that cannot get wet.
- Spray sunscreen, which mostly ends up on the deck and on the person next to you.
Booked the catamaran? Then pack light.
Hotel transfers, lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, water toys and accident insurance are all included on the Samui Journey 1-Day Catamaran. Adults ฿3,300, children (5–11) ฿1,900, under-5s free. Check availability.
Packing for other boat trips
Different routes need a few extras.
| Trip type | Add to your bag |
|---|---|
| Ang Thong National Marine Park | Shoes with grip for the steep viewpoint trail, cash for the national park entrance fee unless your tour includes it, and reef-safe sunscreen, which is essential inside the park |
| Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan | A reusable water bottle (single-use plastic bottles are not allowed on Koh Nang Yuan) and cash for the island’s entry fee |
| Speedboat trips | A light windproof layer and a secure hat. Spray and wind make speedboats feel cooler than you expect |
| Trips in the rainy months | A light rain jacket and a second dry bag. See our best time to visit Koh Samui guide |
Good to know
- Check your pickup time the evening before. On the catamaran it ranges from 9:00 to 9:40 AM depending on your area, and the transfer takes you on to Bang Kao Pier.
- Weather changes plans, not your packing. If the sea is unsafe, Samui Journey contacts you by WhatsApp, LINE or email and moves your trip to another date free of charge. If that date is also affected, you get a full refund. Details are in the refund and weather policy.
- A rough-sea day is still a good day. Try a three-hour visit to Samui Elephant Kingdom, an ethical elephant sanctuary we support. Lunch and soft drinks are included, you help prepare “Powerball” elephant food, and all you need is comfortable clothes.
- Pig Island tips: keep food zipped away on the beach and follow the crew’s guidance around the animals. Our Pig Island guide has more on visiting responsibly.
- Snorkelling beyond the boat: if you plan to snorkel from Samui’s beaches on other days, see our guide to the best snorkelling spots around Koh Samui.
Questions before you pack?
Message the Samui Journey team on WhatsApp at +66 94 751 4988 or email samuijourney.mk@gmail.com. When you are ready, book the 1-Day Catamaran online. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
FAQ
Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?
Not on the Samui Journey catamaran. Snorkel gear and life jackets are included. Some people like to bring their own mask for fit or hygiene, and that’s fine.
Do I need to bring a towel?
Yes. A towel is one of the items we ask guests to bring, along with a swimsuit, slippers, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera.
Is there a toilet on the boat?
Yes. The catamaran has a toilet on board, so you don’t have to wait for an island stop.
Should I bring water?
Not for the catamaran. Free-flow cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks and drinking water are included. On trips to Koh Nang Yuan, bring a reusable bottle, because single-use plastic bottles are not allowed on the island.
What shoes should I wear on a Koh Samui boat trip?
Sandals or slides are best for a catamaran and beach day. If your trip includes a hike, such as the Ang Thong viewpoint, bring shoes with proper grip.
Do I need cash on the boat trip?
Bring a little for personal spending and optional tips, which are not included. For Ang Thong, you may also need cash for the national park entrance fee.
What should I do with my phone while snorkelling?
Leave it in a dry bag on board, or use a waterproof pouch if you want photos in the water. Check the pouch is properly sealed before you trust it underwater.
Islands & boats