| Clothing
Layering is your best option because it will
keep you from packing unnecessarily bulky items such as big sweaters.
Start with outfits which can be mixed and matched. In addition
to this, you should take one lightweight weatherproof jacket -
sailing jackets are the best because they retain body heat, keep
you dry and are suitable for all climates, and one long sleeved
lightweight 100% cotton shirt for sun protection.
If you plan to visit a tropical resort,
the generally accepted mode of dress, depending on the type of
resort being visited, is good 'tropical casual'.
This style recognises the warm moist climate and is neat and comfortable
for the tropics -
- For men... sports shirt, slacks or shorts
with long socks and shoes.
- For women... slacks or dress, not shorts.
You really have to consider only two modes
of dressing in Australia - beachwear and casual clothing. To relax
in a tropical climate clothes need to be light, made from natural
fibres and comfortable...with shorts, tee shirts and swimsuits
being the norm.
On your feet
Cruising barefoot may seem like a good way
to get in touch with nature, but running around without shoes is
an open invitation for a stubbed toe - or worse. Where you're going
to walk on a wet, slippery deck, non slip shoes are required equipment.
Pick shoes that are non-marking, like the shoes you wear on a tennis
or basketball court, they are so much more comfortable than leather
boating shoes and provide plenty of grip on a slippery foredeck. No
black soles on board please!...A few years ago, the shoe
companies came out with athletic shoes with a true, non slip sole
made for boating.
You probably own a pair of sneakers or soft-soled
athletic shoes that are fine for cruising (you'll find that soft
rubber soles with plenty of grooves to grip the deck are best).
You'll find yourself slipping around the deck in your regular shoes,
so be sure to bring a pair of shoes for sailing.
Also take a pair of solid, comfortable walking
shoes for exploring the islands, and make certain you take one
pair of older sand shoes suitable for coral walking and fossicking
at low tide (shoes you don't mind getting wet or cut by coral).
For your eyes
One essential is polarised sunglasses...
these provide you with one of the ways to read the water. The lenses
help you see coral or rocky outcrops through the water by removing
the sun's glare, so you can see into the water rather than just
the sky's reflection on it.
So apart from your eyes being protected from
glare and the ultra-violet rays reflected up from the waters surface,
you can clearly see coral structures under the water.
Even if you're not a yachtie, polarised glasses
make the sky a deeper blue, the clouds stand out like balls of
fluff, and colours become more vivid... You'll also find that a
polarising filter fitted to your camera will also yield dramatic
results.
Personal care kit
Fill it with a tube of toothpaste... a toothbrush in a travel container... deodorant...
contact lens solution... a spare razor, and whatever basic personal items you
use on a regular basis that would not be provided in your hotel or that you cannot
live without. Having an extra set of everything (even if it's miniature size)
eliminates the possibility of forgetting to pack essentials at the last minute
- or the likelihood that you've run out.
Save small
beauty care product containers and vitamin bottles. Better than spending money
on travel-size products, these containers can be refilled before you leave,
with you own everyday products. This avoids taking large bottles that will take
up a lot of room in your suitcase.
Don't take bars of soap. Almost every hotel provides soap, plus it's messy. If
you don't like hotel soap, consider a bottle or tube of shower gel that can double
as a clothes cleanser or even a shampoo. (And to keep liquids you do take from
leaking, cut a small piece of plastic wrap, unscrew the cap and place over the
top of the opening them screw the top back on. This provides a seal in case the
top becomes a little loose in transit.)
Specialty items
Following is a list of specialty items. They're not necessities but can come
in handy.
- A pair of binoculars really enhances sightseeing -
great for watching birds, sweeping panoramas, and almost a necessity if you're
going whale-watching.
- A folding Teflon-bottomed travel iron makes up for cotton's
one major shortcoming - wrinkles - and you can't always count on hotels having
irons.
- Nylon twine and miniature clothespins are used for drying
garments, especially bathing suits. Commercial and hotel laundromats abound,
but you can get by with hand washing a few items in the sink.
- A transistor radio/tape recorder provides news, weather,
entertainment, and can be used to record impressions, music and a running commentary
for your slide show.
- Hair dryer: although the wind can be relied on to dry hair,
it leaves a bit to be desired in the styling department.
Pack the right gear
Items to have in
your gear bag include the following:
Sun stuff - sunglasses, hat and sunscreen: The
glare of sunlight (even on a lightly overcast day) reflecting off
the water and sails makes these items essential. Make sure that
you have a string or some sort of retainer for your sunglasses
and your hat...It can be proven beyond a doubt that sunglasses
sink.
When you're going to be on the water all
day, put sunscreen on first thing in the morning, because sunscreen
is most effective when it has time to soak in. Then reapply sunscreen
before going out on the water, and try to remember to add another
layer a couple more times during the day. Don't forget to put sunscreen
on the back of your neck, on your ears, and on the backs of your
hands, and be sure to use a product with an SPF (Sun Protection
Factor) of 15 or higher.
When sailing in the tropics, wear a long-sleeved
shirt (an old button-down) and lightweight, long pants every few
days, just to give your skin a rest from the sun... Don't let
sunburn ruin your holiday.
- Gloves: Sailing gloves are a good investment, unless
your other hobby is rock climbing and your hands are well calloused.
Head to your local marine store for a good pair. Open-fingered
gloves are best so that you can still use your fingertips for
tying knots and opening the lunch box.
- Hair band: Keep long hair in a ponytail
or a braid. Loose hair can get caught in the lines and blocks
and
then pulled out in big chunks. (That's painful even to think
about - ouch!).
- Consider the following: one or two pairs of light
cotton slacks for going out and about, and one pair of jeans for
hiking. Two to three casual sun dresses - three or four
pairs of shorts for beachwear and for sightseeing; four
to five short-sleeved shirts or blouses and one long-sleeved;
three to four coloured and printed tee-shirts.
- Towel: One medium weight beach towel is
your best option as they dry much more quickly - a thick plush
towel won't. You can also use the one towel for showering and
going to the beach.
- Bathing suit (nylon ones dry quickest),
and for the Resorts, a beach cover-up, short terrycloth-type
is best and a plastic bag to hold wet bathing suits and
laundry.
- Five to six pairs of underwear; towels (optional,
because hotels and charter boats provide them); a pocket-size first-aid
kit; suntan lotion; insect repellent; a day pack or large beach
purse.
- During the cooler months from May to August include warmer
trousers or jeans and a light tracksuit or sweater.
- Experienced snorkelers frequently wear a long
sleeved lightweight shirt in the water to provide some
protection to those parts of the body which remain exposed
when the sunscreen gets washed off. You'll also find the shirt
welcome when reef walking on a hot afternoon.
- Jacket or foul-weather gear and/or a bathing
suit: Now you have both weather extremes covered.
- A brimmed hat for rain and sun - the crushable
floppy type is great for purse or day pack.
- Camera or video camera - and don't forget
the polarising filter.
Remember space can be limited on board
boats, so choose carefully, don't bring too much, and pack it all
in a soft fabric luggage bag.
If you are chartering a boat, check the equipment
specifications, and if you choose to -
bring your favourite
CD's
and selected video movies...For a full rundown on
the bareboats and houseboats available see our section Choose
a Bareboat or Houseboat
You'll find snorkeling masks and fins on
board...for the keen fisherman it's recommended you bring your
own tackle.
To check out the tackle you'll need fishing
Queensland's coral reefs. Go to our section Fishing
Queensland's Coral Reefs
Flying
Passengers are entitled to carry one suitcase per person, with the total sum
of it's width, length and depth not exceeding 160cm (63 inches) and weight
20kg (44 pounds). See example. In addition to your suitcase, you may
also carry
a travel bag, handbag and/or camera case onboard.
Day pack: An essential item for any traveller. Chose a small
pack which can carry your money, camera, light sweater, reading book and towel
- make sure to choose a pack that is water resistant. A water resistant pack
will come in handy if you need to carry around any wet items such as swim wear
but it will also come in handy when hiking or for other activities where it
is important that you keep items safe and dry such as your camera or a spare
pair of dry socks. This could also be used as your every day "day pack".
Keep your luggage safe
Always fix two luggage tags to every piece of checked or carry on bags so
that if one is ripped off (as sometimes happens in the baggage conveyor belt
mechanism) and your bag is misplaced, your bag can be identified and returned
to you. If the bag has more than one handle, tie each luggage tag securely
to a different handle, so if one tag is lost the other will still be fastened
to the remaining handle.
If your bag does not have a place to tie a second luggage tag, or just for
added assurance, it is a good idea to include a business card or piece of paper
with your name, address and telephone number on it inside your checked as well
as your carry on luggage.
Do not use luggage tags on the outside of your bag that openly display your
name and address, company names or logos, or any other information that could
brand you as a potential terrorist or kidnap target... The best kind of
luggage tags to use are those that conceal the name and address of the owner
inside the tag. Protect your valuables
- Carry on your smaller, more valuable items... This seems
like a no-brainer; however, if that were the case, insurance claims wouldn't
be
filed claiming
that
wedding rings, expensive cameras, diamond jewellery, family heirlooms and
even cash had been taken from checked bags.
- Carry on items that are small in size. Small items are most easily taken,
concealed, smuggled out of the airport, and overlooked by travellers when
they arrive at their destination.
- Double-bag or conceal valuable items. If you must put items of some value
in your checked baggage, you may want to put them in a pocket of a pair
of old jeans, inside a sock, or inside another bag so they are not easily
identified.
- Make a short list of the most valuable items in your checked bags...
Sometimes you forget you packed something until you need it, and don't
notice it
is missing for days. If you have a list of valuable items and check your
luggage for them immediately, you can make a timely claim and have a better
sense of when and where the items likely disappeared.
- Inspect your bags before you leave the airport. This is a hassle, but
if you have valuable items in your checked bags, it's probably worth the
time to open a few zips and make sure they are still in your bags.
- If you can't inspect your bags at the airport, do so
upon reaching your destination. Many travellers only partially unpack -
if a few days pass,
you won't know whether your items were stolen during your air travel, from
your hotel, or anywhere else your luggage may have been exposed to potential
thieves.
- Keep your luggage locked even when left empty in your
room. A thief could use your own luggage to cart off your belongings.
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