A lot of people dream about spending a day on the water, only to realize, once they’re there, that they have no plan. Being on the water is like being on the beach or anywhere else. Without a plan or an idea, there’s not much to do. Now, a good plan is different for everyone, but with a few great tips on your side, you’ll have an easier time crafting a perfect plan for your own day on the water. Here’s what you should keep in mind.
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Consider renting a boat
Renting a boat is a completely new way to spend time on the water. For most people, owning a boat is too big of a luxury. It’s not just the acquisition cost, which is already quite significant, but the cost of gas and maintenance, as well. This is the way you can overcome this obstacle.
Freedom to explore and travel unrestricted is something quite interesting and unique. In fact, according to specialists from Your Boat Club, the freedom to explore and travel unrestricted is probably the main reason why people rent a boat. This way, you won’t be tied to a single spot. You’ll be able to explore hidden coves, find a perfect fishing spot, or even drift wherever you’re taken.
If you like cove fishing, you’ll soon learn that it is different from pier fishing. For instance, you’ll be able to reach deeper waters with bigger fish.
All in all, it’s a unique and adventurous experience.
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Pack the essentials
The quality of your experience often depends on your overall preparedness. So, you want to pack the essentials in order to avoid some silly and unimportant deficiency ruining your experience.
For starters, not bringing sunscreen and hats seems like an impossibility, but if you do forget, it will be a serious problem.
Also, bring plenty of water and snacks. If you go sailing, you won’t be able to replenish your water as easily. Same with the beach. If you go to a remote place, chances are that the nearest convenience store will not be that close by.
Now, you don’t have to carry a first-aid kit in your bag when going to the beach, but having it on a boat or in your hotel room is a good idea.
Lastly, you want to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
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Plan your route ahead of time
Having an itinerary keeps you focused and prevents you from wasting time on your journey. It’s a cure to indecisiveness and if you give yourself a looser itinerary, you won’t even have to eliminate spontaneity.
When you know the date of your visit, you should check the weather conditions. In this day and age, weather apps are pretty accurate, which means that they’ll give you a pretty good idea of how to dress and pack.
Previously, we’ve mentioned the fact that boating gives you more freedom, but there are a few restrictions, as well. You can’t just leave your boat anywhere, you have to identify safe docking locations.
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Bring water activity gear
Depending on the activity that you have in mind, you have to bring the right gear for the right activities. For instance, kayaking is one of the most exciting things you can do during your day on the water, but you need kayaks or paddleboards for it.
If you want to go snorkelling, you have to get snorkelling equipment. If you’re anywhere near clear waters, this is something that you should never skip.
We’ve already mentioned fishing and for this, you need proper fishing gear. Now, fishing gear is a broad term, and you need to adjust your gear to fit the type of fish you’re hunting for.
Lastly, if you want to add some relaxation to the mix, you should probably bring some inflatables.
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Invite friends or family
Being a solo traveller is a good thing, but it’s also a bit restrictive. When you bring others, you get to share the experience and enhance your fun. Let’s face it: most water and beach activities require an extra person. After all, you can’t play beach volleyball on your own.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, by inviting friends or family, you’re actually creating lasting memories. You’re getting closer and creating much material for future reminiscence and conversation. It could be a tipping point in your relationship (in a positive way).
When boating, you’re also dividing responsibilities. Sure, the captain is captain for a reason; however, there’s more to do on the boat than just commandeer it, especially if there are kids around.
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Prepare a waterside meal
To further enhance the experience, you want to pack a portable grill or cooler and come up with a few meals that thematically and practically fit the day. You don’t want anything that will fall particularly heavy on your stomach. Why? Well, for two reasons. First, waterside activities require agility and mobility. Second, the day spent on the water is usually hot.
To turn this even more into an experience, you should plan a picnic on a secluded beach. Since you don’t know where you get one more thing to look forward to, and you get to really feel like an explorer, looking where they should dock after a long voyage.
Ideally, you would enjoy fresh seafood since nothing could fit more thematically.
Most importantly, bring something easy to carry (the so-called no-mess foods).
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Capture the moment
Finally, you should bring a waterproof camera so that you can capture the moment and create some mementos that will last you a lifetime.
This way, you can take group photos and candid shots for everyone to bring home. You can frame them, turn them into a presentation, and more.
You also want to record videos of key moments of the voyage. Human memory is imperfect, and some moments need to be recorded as they really were.
In this day and age, you can even consider using a drone for aerial views. This way, you’ll record your journey in a completely different and unique way.
Wrap up
An unforgettable day is something entirely different for everyone, but if you’re well-organized, you’ll always be able to get more from it. This means being more efficient with your time, never missing a crucial piece of equipment and equally taking care of leisure and safety.
