Most guests remember sunscreen and water shoes. Here's the short list of things our guides notice missing almost every week. The small stuff that makes a real difference.
A Hair Tie (Even If You Don't Think You Need One)
Gulf breezes pick up fast once you're on open water. Even guests with short hair end up borrowing one from a guide by the halfway point.
A Second Dry Bag, Not Just One
One bag for your phone, a second smaller one for anything you might want mid-tour, sunglasses case, chapstick, snack. Digging through a single overstuffed bag on the water is nobody's favorite moment.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen Specifically
Standard sunscreen works fine for your skin, but reef-safe formulas matter for the seagrass and marine life you're paddling directly over, especially in the shallow waters at Clam Bayou and Longboat Key.
A Light Layer, Even in "Warm" Months
Mornings on the water run a few degrees cooler than mornings on land, and wind chill off the Gulf catches first-timers off guard almost every season.
Cash for a Tip
Card readers don't love saltwater and boat decks. If you want to tip your guide (never required, always appreciated), a little cash tucked in a dry pocket is the easiest way.
One More Thing: Bug Spray for Night Tours
If you're booking the LED night tour, bug spray isn't optional, it's essential. Everything else on this list is a nice-to-have; that one is not.
Packed and ready? Find your tour and reserve your spot, we'll handle the kayak, paddles, and life jackets.