Packing for a day on the Andaman Sea is refreshingly simple, but a few small choices make the difference between a perfect trip and a sunburnt, soggy one. The same goes for a multi-day Similan liveaboard, where space is tight and the right kit matters more. This guide gives you a clear, no-nonsense checklist for both — a sunset cruise around Phang Nga Bay and a week of diving offshore — so you arrive at the marina with exactly what you need and nothing you don't.
The short answer: pack light
Phuket is hot and humid year-round, and every charter here comes fully crewed, so you can leave most of your luggage at the hotel. For a day trip you genuinely need very little: swimwear, sun protection and a dry place for your phone. The boat supplies towels, drinks, food and shade.
The single most important thing to get right is sun protection. The tropical sun reflects off the water and burns far faster than people expect, even on a hazy day or in the shade of a flybridge. Bring more than you think you need, and reapply.
A soft bag is always better than a hard suitcase. Deck space and cabin storage are limited on any boat, and a duffel or holdall squashes into a locker where a rigid case will not.
Day charter: the essentials
For a day on a private yacht, catamaran or speedboat, pack swimwear (wear it under your clothes so you are ready to jump in), a light cover-up or rash guard, and a hat with a strap so it does not blow off at speed. Add sunglasses, flip-flops or boat-friendly sandals, and a light layer for the breezier ride home in the late afternoon.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, ideally SPF 50, plus a lip balm with SPF. Several Thai marine parks restrict sunscreens containing oxybenzone and similar chemicals, so a mineral, reef-safe formula keeps you both protected and compliant. A small dry bag for your phone, wallet and camera is the one accessory people most often wish they had brought.
If you tend to feel queasy, take a motion-sickness tablet before you board rather than once you feel unwell — it works far better that way. Otherwise, leave the heavy gear behind: snorkel sets, paddleboards, drinking water and lunch are provided on virtually every charter.
Multi-day liveaboard: the extra kit
A Similan or Mergui liveaboard runs three to four dives a day for several days, so comfort and routine matter. On top of the day-trip essentials, bring a couple of quick-dry T-shirts and shorts, a warm layer (a hoodie or light fleece) for cool evenings and the air-conditioned salon, and a second swimsuit so one is always dry. Cabins are compact — keep it to a soft bag.
Most boats supply full rental scuba equipment, but many divers prefer to bring their own mask and dive computer for fit and familiarity, and a 3 mm wetsuit if you feel the cold over repeated dives. Pack any personal medication, a basic first-aid pouch, and a power bank, since charging points can be limited at sea. A waterproof phone pouch and a head torch are both quietly useful.
Bring printed copies of your dive certification and logbook, plus your passport for any trip crossing into Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago. Cash in small Thai baht notes is handy for tips, the marine-park fee and the odd souvenir, as boats do not take cards offshore.
What you can safely leave at home
You do not need to bring your own towels, snorkelling gear for a casual day trip, drinking water, food, or any boat-handling experience — every charter is crewed and catered. Hard suitcases, formal clothes and bulky electronics simply take up space you do not have.
Skip ordinary chemical sunscreens for marine-park trips, single-use plastics, and glass bottles, which many operators discourage on board. Drones are restricted in Thailand's national parks, so leave yours behind unless you have arranged clearance in advance.
When in doubt, ask us what your specific vessel already provides. Crew, kitchen, safety gear and most water toys come with the boat — your job is mainly to turn up sun-ready and relaxed.
Featured vessels for this trip
MV Pawara
MV Sawasdee Fasai
MV South Siam 3
MV South Siam 4
Estrella · Leopard 43
Say Yes · Rizzardi Technema 89Frequently asked questions
What should I wear on a Phuket day charter?
Swimwear under a light cover-up or rash guard, a hat with a strap, sunglasses and flip-flops. Add a light layer for the cooler ride home in the late afternoon. Everything else — towels, shade and refreshments — is on the boat.
Do I need to bring my own snorkel or dive gear?
Not for a day trip — snorkelling sets are provided. On a liveaboard, full rental scuba gear is available, but many divers bring their own mask and dive computer for comfort, and sometimes a thin wetsuit for repeated dives.
What sunscreen is allowed in Thailand's marine parks?
Use a reef-safe, mineral sunscreen. Several Thai marine parks ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and similar chemicals to protect the coral, so a reef-safe SPF 50 keeps you both protected and within the rules.
How much luggage can I bring on a liveaboard?
Keep it to one soft bag. Cabins and storage are compact, and a duffel squashes into a locker where a hard suitcase will not. You need far less than for a normal holiday because the trip is casual and crewed.
Should I bring cash on board?
Yes — small Thai baht notes are useful for crew tips, the marine-park fee and souvenirs, as boats do not accept cards once offshore. Bring your passport too if your route crosses into Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago.
What if I get seasick?
Take a motion-sickness tablet before you board rather than waiting until you feel unwell — it is far more effective taken early. Catamarans and larger liveaboards are notably more stable than small speedboats if you are prone to it.