Okay, let’s set the scene. You’ve done the thing. You’ve booked a boat trip in Athens. You’re going sailing in Greece, like some kind of sun-kissed main character in a European rom-com. The Aegean Sea is waiting. A catamaran is calling your name. Life is beautiful.
And then you open your suitcase and stare at it like it personally offended you.
What do I wear on a boat? Will I need shoes? Is there a dress code? What if I pack wrong and end up looking like a lost tourist from 2006?
Deep breath. We’ve got you. We’ve been running sailing tours from Athens for years, and we’ve seen every packing crime known to humanity. Stilettos on a yacht? Seen it. Full suit and tie on a summer catamaran cruise? Unfortunately, yes. Someone once brought a desktop fan. A desktop fan.
So here’s your ultimate, no-judgement, extremely fun guide to dressing for an Athens sailing experience, whether you’re doing a half-day Athens Riviera cruise, a sunset catamaran cruise, or a full-day island hop to Aegina, Moni, and Agistri.
1. Swimwear: A.K.A. Your Entire Personality for the Day
Your swimsuit isn’t just an outfit on a boat tour in Athens. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a statement. It’s the thing you’ll be wearing in 87% of the photos that end up on your Instagram grid for the next six months.
Wear it under your clothes when you board. This way, when the boat anchors in some absurdly gorgeous hidden cove along the Athenian Riviera and everyone else is fumbling with zippers, you just casually strip down like a Greek god/goddess and cannonball into turquoise water. Power move.
Hot tip: Bring a second swimsuit in a ziplock bag. Because sitting in a wet, cold swimsuit during lunch is a special kind of misery that no amount of Greek wine can fix. (Well… maybe it can. But still, bring a spare.)
2. The Cover-Up: Your “I Woke Up Like This” Moment
Every great sailing day trip needs a cover-up that says: “I’m effortlessly chic but also ready to eat three plates of pasta on a boat.”
Think: oversized linen shirts, breezy kaftans, sarongs, that one flowy dress you bought on impulse in Zara three summers ago. This is its red carpet moment. Let it shine.
The Athens sailing conditions in summer hover between 28–35°C, which in human terms means “warm enough to question all your life choices if you’re wearing anything synthetic.” Stick with cotton and linen. Your skin will thank you. Your Instagram aesthetic will thank you. Everyone wins.
3. Footwear: The Less, the Better
Here’s the most liberating fashion advice you’ll ever receive: the best shoes for a catamaran cruise in Athens are no shoes. Barefoot. Au naturel. Free-range feet.
Most yachts and catamarans ask guests to go barefoot on deck to protect the surface. So leave the chunky sneakers at the hotel. Your toes deserve a vacation too.
That said, do bring flip-flops or slip-on sandals for getting on and off at Marina Glyfada and for any island stops. If you’re doing a full-day boat trip from Athens to spots like Aegina, you’ll want something easy for a quick wander through those impossibly photogenic harbour streets.
4. Sunscreen & Sun Protection: The Chapter Your Mum Would Write
We know, we know. You didn’t come here for a lecture. But the Greek sun is basically a professional athlete, and you are an amateur. When you’re out on the water, whether it’s a half-day cruise in Athens or a Cape Sounion sailing trip, UV rays hit you from above AND bounce off the water like a trampoline. It’s a UV sandwich and you’re the filling.
Your Sun Survival Kit (non-negotiable):
- SPF 50+ sunscreen. Slather it on like you’re frosting a cake.
- A hat with an actual brim. Baseball caps work. Bucket hats work. That floppy straw thing? Iconic. A beanie? Absolutely not.
- Sunglasses with a cord or strap. The Aegean has eaten more sunglasses than any ocean on earth. Don’t let yours become a statistic.
- A lightweight long-sleeve top for when your shoulders start whispering “we’re burning” and you ignore them until they’re screaming.
5. The Jacket You’ll Roll Your Eyes About (Until You Need It)
“A jacket? In Greece? In SUMMER?”
Yes. A jacket. In Greece. In summer.
Here’s the thing about sailing in Athens Greece: the breeze on the open water is delicious for the first hour. Then the sun starts going down, especially on a sunset cruise in Athens, and suddenly you’re hugging yourself like you’re in a dramatic music video. The Saronic Gulf wind doesn’t care about your summer vibes.
A thin windbreaker, a hoodie, or even a denim jacket works perfectly. Bonus: it’ll double as a pillow when you inevitably food-coma after that freshly cooked lunch on board. (Spoiler: the food is incredible.)
6. What Goes in the Bag (Keep It Tiny, Keep It Smart)
You do not need a suitcase for a boat day trip in Athens. You need a tote bag. Maybe a dry bag if you’re feeling fancy. That’s it. Here’s what goes inside:
- Your phone (with storage cleared because you WILL take 400+ photos and 12 boomerangs you’ll never post)
- A waterproof phone pouch, because dropping your phone in the Aegean is not the kind of “unplugged holiday” you were going for
- A dry change of clothes for after the cruise (your future self will high-five you)
- Seasickness tablets if you’re the type (though sailing from Athens is usually smooth as butter)
- A reusable water bottle, hydration is not optional, people
- Your best playlist downloaded offline, for the moments between splashes
7. The Hall of Shame: What NOT to Wear
This section exists because real people have made these real choices. We’re not judging. Okay, we’re judging a little. But lovingly.
- High heels. This is a catamaran, not the Met Gala. Save those for your night out in Kolonaki.
- Dark jeans. They’re hot, heavy, take approximately four business days to dry, and will make you question every decision that led to this moment.
- Your most expensive jewellery. The sea is already sparkling enough. Leave the heirlooms at the hotel safe.
- A full face of makeup that isn’t waterproof. Mascara tears + saltwater = raccoon by 2 PM. Waterproof or nothing.
8. Outfit Formulas (For When Your Brain Is on Vacation Mode)
Can’t be bothered to think? Perfect. Copy-paste one of these combos and call it a day:
| The Vibe | Her Outfit | His Outfit |
| Chill Half-Day Cruise | Bikini + oversized linen shirt + straw hat + slides | Swim trunks + cotton tee + cap + flip-flops |
| Sunset Sailing | One-piece + flowy midi dress + light cardigan + gold earrings | Boardshorts + linen button-up + hoodie tied at the waist |
| Bachelorette Boat Party | Matching swimwear + fun cover-ups + sashes + ALL the accessories | Matching trunks + Hawaiian shirts + ridiculous hats + main character energy |
| Full Day Island Hop | Bikini + denim shorts + light sneakers + extra top + dry bag | Trunks + tank top + light sneakers + windbreaker + dry bag |
| Romantic Couples Cruise | Elegant swimwear + wrap dress + subtle accessories + subtle perfume | Clean trunks + crisp linen shirt + sunglasses + confidence |
9. What to Wear by Season (Because Athens Has Opinions)
Spring (April – June): The “Should I? Shouldn’t I?” Season
Gorgeous but flirty weather. Mornings are breezy, afternoons are warm, evenings get cool. Layers are your best friend here. A light jacket and a pair of long pants tucked in your bag gives you options. Perfect time for a Greece sailing tour if you hate crowds and love good lighting for photos.
Peak Summer (July – August): The “Wear As Little As Legally Possible” Season
It’s giving 35°C at 10 AM. The sun wakes up and chooses violence. Wear your swimsuit, drape something linen over it, and pray to the sunscreen gods. The Meltemi wind will show up uninvited and mess up your hair, but honestly, it feels amazing. Just tie down anything that can fly off the boat. Including your hat. Especially your hat.
September – October: The Sweet Spot (Chef’s Kiss)
Still warm enough to swim. Fewer tourists. Golden-hour light that makes everyone look like a Renaissance painting. Pack like summer but add a windbreaker for late afternoon when the Saronic Gulf breeze gets cheeky. This is the season where you take the photo that becomes your profile picture for the next two years.
10. “I Forgot Everything”, The Emergency Plan
Okay, so you panicked, packed wrong, forgot sunscreen, and you’re standing at Marina Glyfada in jeans and boots. It’s fine. It’s all fine.
Most Athens sailing tours, including catamarans, motor yachts, and RIB boats, provide beach towels, snorkelling gear, and even SUP boards. So the essentials are covered even if your suitcase is not.
And if you’re sailing with Athens Sailing, your cruise includes snacks, fruit salads, a freshly cooked meal on board, wine, beer, and soft drinks. So really, all you need to bring is yourself, a sense of adventure, and the willingness to say “this is the best day of my trip” at least four times.
BONUS: The Unwritten Rules of Boat Life
Nobody tells you these, but they’ll make you the MVP of any Athens boat trip:
- Charge your phone to 100% before boarding. There are outlets on board, but you’ll be too busy vibing to remember.
- Tie your hair up. The wind-in-your-hair fantasy lasts about 3 minutes before you’re eating your own ponytail.
- Bring a small ziplock bag for your phone, keys, and cards. Waterproof peace of mind for approximately 50 cents.
- If someone offers you seconds on the homemade food… say yes. Always say yes.
The Ultimate Boat Trip Packing Checklist
Screenshot this. Pin it. Tattoo it on your arm. Whatever works.
- Swimwear (x2 if you’re civilised)
- Light cover-up (linen/cotton, nothing synthetic unless you enjoy suffering)
- Flip-flops or slip-on sandals
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (and then some more sunscreen)
- Hat with a brim (not a beanie, we beg you)
- Sunglasses with a strap (protect the investment)
- Light jacket / hoodie / windbreaker
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Camera or phone with cleared storage
- Dry change of clothes
- Reusable water bottle
- Good vibes (absolutely mandatory)
- A sense of humour (for when the wind takes your hat)
Now That You Know What to Pack… Let’s Go!
Book your Athens sailing experience at athenssailing.gr
Pack light. Sail happy. Tan responsibly.
