What to Pack for a Boat Day in Milos — Complete Checklist (2026)
A boat day in Milos is not like a beach day. You are away from shops, away from tavernas, away from any kind of facility for the entire duration. Kleftiko has no kiosk. Sykia has no beach bar. Polyaigos has nothing at all.
What you bring with you in the morning is what you have for the day. This checklist covers everything — the essentials, the things people forget, and the items that turn a good day into a great one.
What Poseidon Milos Provides
Before going through the checklist, it helps to know what we already include with every rental and cruise. You do not need to bring these:
- Cooler with ice — kept onboard throughout the day
- Drinking water — sufficient for the day
- Soft drinks — included in the cooler
- Life jackets — for all passengers, all sizes
- Sunshade / bimini top — shade available on the boat
- Safety equipment — fire extinguisher, flares, first aid kit
- Detailed map — of all beaches, caves and anchorages on your route
- Full fuel tank — no additional fuel costs
Everything else on this list is what you bring yourself.
The Essentials — Do Not Leave Without These
Sunscreen — and Lots of It
The Aegean sun is intense. On a boat you have no fixed shade, you are surrounded by reflective water, and the breeze disguises how much UV you are absorbing. Burn on a boat in Milos is faster and more severe than on any beach.
Bring significantly more sunscreen than you think you need. Apply before departure, reapply every hour in the water, and bring a separate SPF lip balm.
Reef-safe sunscreen is strongly preferred. Kleftiko and Sykia have exceptional marine ecosystems. Chemical sunscreen washes off your skin in the water and causes documented damage to coral and sea life. Look for mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The extra cost is worth it.
Water — Beyond What We Provide
We include drinking water with every rental and cruise. But on a hot August day with a group of six people swimming hard for eight hours, additional water is always a good idea. Bring at least one litre per person beyond what we supply.
Food
This is the most common thing people underestimate. A boat day is physically active — swimming, climbing rocks, moving around the boat — and the sea air increases appetite significantly. A light snack is not enough.
Bring a proper lunch. The ideal boat lunch is: something substantial but not heavy, easy to eat on a moving deck, and not dependent on heating. Think: good bread, cheese, cured meats, olives, cherry tomatoes, fruit. A proper meal, not a collection of snacks.
What to avoid: anything that needs refrigerating beyond what fits in the cooler, glass containers (which break on boats), or heavy hot food that will make you feel ill in the sun.
Sun Protection
Hat — essential, not optional. A wide-brimmed hat for those who burn easily. A cap for everyone else. On a boat the sun comes from directly above for most of the day.
Sunglasses — polarised lenses make a significant difference on the water. The glare from the sea surface is intense, and polarised glasses cut through it completely, making it much easier to see what is below the surface when snorkelling from the boat.
Long-sleeved rash guard or light linen shirt — for the journey out and back, when you are moving fast and the breeze is strong. Also useful for anyone prone to burning who wants to stay in the sun without constant reapplication.
Swimming and Snorkelling
Swimwear — pack an extra set. You will be in and out of the water all day and a wet swimsuit is uncomfortable on a hot boat deck.
Towels — we do not provide these. Bring one per person minimum. Quick-dry microfibre towels are significantly better than cotton on a boat — they take up less space and dry between swims.
Snorkelling mask and fins — this is the item most people wish they had brought. The water around Kleftiko, Sykia and Gerakas is exceptional for snorkelling — visibility of 15–25 metres, rock formations, sea caves, abundant fish. Without a mask you see a fraction of what is there.
We do not provide snorkelling gear as standard. Bring your own, or rent a set from a dive shop in Adamas before you depart — the difference it makes to the day is significant.
Underwater camera or waterproof phone case — the underwater visibility at Kleftiko and Sykia is extraordinary. Whatever you use for photography above water, have a waterproof solution for below. Waterproof phone cases cost very little and make a huge difference to what you bring home.
Clothing
Light cover-up or sarong — for when you are out of the water and do not want to sit in a wet swimsuit. Also useful if the afternoon wind picks up.
Windproof layer — the journey back in the late afternoon can be significantly cooler than the morning departure, particularly if the meltemi has picked up. A light windproof jacket or fleece takes up almost no space and makes the return journey much more comfortable.
Water shoes or sandals with straps — essential for two reasons. First, the rocks at the base of the cliff at Kleftiko and Tsigrado are rough and uneven — bare feet are uncomfortable. Second, boat decks get hot in the sun and can be slippery when wet. Flip flops are the worst option — bring something with a strap.
Practical Items
Waterproof dry bag — for your phone, camera, wallet, passport and anything else that must not get wet. Even on calm days, sea spray on a moving boat is unavoidable. On rougher passages, a dry bag is essential. Bring a large one for valuables and a smaller one for your phone with you when you swim.
Cash — there are no card machines at sea. If you want to buy anything in a port or small taverna during the day, bring cash. Kimolos has one ATM in the village; everywhere else has nothing.
Seasickness prevention — if anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, bring medication and take it before departure. The south coast of Milos can have swell, and the crossing to Polyaigos or Kimolos involves open water. Seasickness medication taken after you feel ill is much less effective than taken in advance.
Reusable bag for rubbish — there is no bin at Kleftiko, Sykia or Polyaigos. Everything you bring to these places, you bring back. Bring a bag for rubbish and leave every anchorage exactly as you found it.
For Families with Children
Extra sun protection — children burn faster than adults. Bring high-factor sunscreen (SPF 50+), a full-coverage rash guard and a hat with a neck flap.
Snacks and drinks they will actually consume — hungry children on a boat are difficult. Bring more than you think necessary and include things they definitely like.
A small inflatable dinghy or pool float — for younger children who are not strong swimmers. Having something to hold onto at anchor makes the swimming stops much more relaxed for parents.
Nappy bags if relevant — Kleftiko has no toilet facilities of any kind. Plan accordingly.
What NOT to Bring
Glass bottles or containers — glass breaks on boats. Use plastic or metal alternatives for everything.
Anything you cannot afford to get wet or lose — jewellery, expensive watches, items with sentimental value. Leave these at your accommodation.
A large heavy cool box from a supermarket — it will take up space and you will trip over it. We provide a cooler onboard.
Drone without permission — drone flights over Kleftiko and the protected marine areas around the south coast of Milos require permits. Check regulations before bringing one.
The Day Before — Preparation Checklist
The night before your boat day:
- Confirm your departure time and location with us
- Prepare and pack food — do not leave this for the morning
- Charge your phone and camera fully
- Check the weather forecast
- Fill any water bottles you are bringing
- Locate your snorkelling gear
- Take seasickness medication if needed (some work best taken the night before)
Book Your Boat Day in Milos
Whether you choose a milos boat rental, one of our organised milos cruises or a private milos boat tour — we depart daily from Agia Kyriaki Beach and Adamas.
Call or WhatsApp us on +30 698 79 30 867 or email poseidonmilosboats@hotmail.com.