What to Pack for a Kayak Expedition: The Complete Guide
Kayak Ibiza
A multi-day kayak expedition is an experience that blends adventure, endurance and a deep connection with nature. It requires careful planning, especially when it comes to your personal gear.
Every item you stow in your dry bags has to justify its weight and space. To do that, it is important to know how to prepare for days of intense sun, nights in the open and the constant exposure to salt and humidity. In this article we explain everything you should bring and, at the end, we show you a complete checklist to help you pack your gear.
Paddling clothing: Your second skin on the water
The clothing you kayak in is the foundation of any comfortable expedition. What you wear to paddle determines whether you focus on the route or on the discomfort.
They should be garments that dry quickly and cause no problems:
- Quick-drying shorts. Preferably synthetic (not cotton)
- Rashguard or lycra. Protects against the sun and the chafing of the life vest.
- Long tights or leggings. They prevent chafing from the seat and the salt
- Cycling-style gloves. they take up very little space and can prevent blisters on your hands.
- A lightweight basic or semi-dry sea-kayak rain jacket or windbreaker with a hood (outside of summer)
- Neoprene booties. Essential for rocks and pebbles.
Neoprene booties or socks are essential for rocky entries and pebble beaches.
On a long expedition you normally paddle in the same clothing the whole time. At the end of each day it will be salty, so there is no point in carrying several identical sets.
Clothing for time on land and the perfect swimsuit
When you reach land at the end of the day, you become a traveller again, not just a paddler. That is why clothing for time on land matters so much: a dry change you feel good in, warm enough when the breeze picks up and simple enough not to complicate your bag.
Things to bring in a kayak for your time on land:
- One or two spare short-sleeve T-shirts
- Tracksuit-style long trousers for cool evenings; or shorts, in summer.
- A thin fleece or synthetic-fibre jumper.
- A quick-drying swimsuit (and a spare swimsuit).
- A microfibre towel or sarong.
- Sandals with a firm sole, like Teva or Keen
The swimsuit deserves special consideration because swim breaks are part of the magic of any expedition.
Sleeping gear
The nights on a kayak expedition are an important part of letting your body recover. Your sleeping bag and your mat become your little portable "home" during the expedition.
On the coast of Ibiza camping with a tent is not allowed, but you can sleep using lightweight systems such as tarps or bivvy bags.
Night-time humidity can soak your sleeping bag by dawn. That is why many groups use a shared tarp that protects against the dew and creates a small communal shelter.
Recommended gear:
- A lightweight summer sleeping bag (3 seasons)
- A compact sleeping mat
- A bivvy bag or lightweight tarp
- Mosquito net (highly recommended in summer)
- Socks (depending on the time of year)
Some paddlers add a small inflatable pillow. It may seem like a luxury, but sleeping well over several consecutive days makes the difference between arriving strong at the end or steadily accumulating fatigue.
Personal hygiene and first-aid kit: Less is more
Personal hygiene is the part many people tend to overcomplicate. On a sea expedition, the opposite usually applies: a small, well-thought-out kit is worth more than a bulky one.
The key lies in biodegradable products that do not harm the marine environment. Solid shampoo, natural soap, repellent, a folding toothbrush and toothpaste in a small format. Everything should fit in a compact wash bag that does not take up valuable space.
Days of exposure to sun and salt can amplify small discomforts. Include waterproof plasters, a painkiller, a UVA lip balm, and any personal medication you usually take.
What else we recommend you bring
- Airtight zip bags for personal waste
- Your own toilet paper
- A small trowel to bury organic waste
Avoid using wet wipes, even those labelled as biodegradable. When there are no freshwater showers, there is a simple way to remove salt: after the last swim of the day, dry off immediately with a microfibre towel. That way you remove the salt before it crystallises on your skin.
Sun protection
Constant exposure to the sun, plus the glare off the water, calls for a serious protection strategy.
What to bring in a kayak to protect yourself from the sun:
- Sunglasses with a safety cord
- A wide-brimmed hat (with an anti-loss cord), a cap or visor that won't blow off in the wind
- Sunscreen that is water-resistant, high-factor and bio-friendly
- A long-sleeved lycra top as the silent hero that protects your shoulders, forearms and the back of your neck
The long-sleeved lycra top is especially important. It keeps your mind on what you are seeing, not on what is burning. Choose one that is comfortable to paddle in and dries quickly.
Personal snacks
Even when the main meals are organised, your personal snacks are morale in edible form. On long paddling days, something small that you genuinely fancy can be the difference between a tough day and a memorable one.
The best snacks for expeditions are compact, nutritious and able to withstand the heat. Nuts, energy bars, dried fruit or dark chocolate work well.
When choosing your snacks, bear in mind that they should be something that sustains your energy and mood without complicating the logistics. Pack them in small, waterproof bags, easy to reach while paddling.
The minimum gear you need to eat
A small personal mess kit takes up very little space:
- A lightweight bowl or plate
- A cup or mug
- Cutlery
- A multi-purpose knife
- Sturdy rubbish bags
On self-guided expeditions you will also need a compact camping stove and a small pot or pan.
Complete packing list
- Quick-drying shorts
- Synthetic trousers or leggings
- Rashguard/lycra
- Neoprene booties
- Long-sleeved lycra
- Lightweight rain jacket or windbreaker
- Microfibre towel or sarong
- Sandals
- Summer sleeping bag
- Compact sleeping mat
- Bivvy bag or tarp
- Mosquito net (optional)
- Inflatable pillow
- Socks (optional)
- Sunglasses + cord
- Hat, cap/visor
- High-factor sunscreen
- UVA lip balm
- Mosquito repellent
- Biodegradable wash kit
- Basic first-aid kit
- Personal medication
- Personal snacks + utensils
- Water bottle (optional)
- Small dry bags
- Airtight zip bags
- A small bag for documents
- Sturdy rubbish bags
- Head torch
- Power bank/solar charger
How to organise your gear inside the kayak
The kayak's dry compartments are long and narrow, so the secret is to reduce bulk and distribute your gear well.
The best strategy is to use several small dry bags rather than one large one:
- Bags of 5 to 10 litres for personal items such as your camera and documents
- A 10–15 litre bag for dry clothes or overnight gear
- A small “personal pouch”-style bag for documents, phone or camera
This system lets you organise your gear by theme and makes it easier to find things without emptying the whole kayak every day.
A common mistake is bringing rigid waterproof barrels. Although they seem practical, they always take up the same amount of space and do not adapt to the inside of the kayak, so they are not recommended.
A simple trick we use on our expeditions is to also bring sturdy rubbish bags: they are useful for isolating food, wet footwear or any gear we don't want to mix with the dry clothes.
Guided or self-guided expedition: what changes in your packing
In Ibiza you can do the experience in a group with a guide or self-guided through a rental, and this slightly changes what you need to bring.
On a guided expedition, part of the logistics is organised: the guide carries the shared gear, coordinates the overnight stays and brings a group first-aid kit.
On a self-guided expedition, the kayaker needs to be more self-sufficient and carry their own cooking and camping system.
Quick summary:
| Item | Guided expedition | Self-guided expedition |
| Camp organisation | Included | Personal |
| Main first-aid kit | Guide | Your own |
| Cooking | Shared | Your own stove |
| Daily logistics | Assisted | Self-sufficient |
Book your place on the next expedition
Do you want to put all this knowledge into practice? Our 8-day expedition around Ibiza is the perfect opportunity to live an authentic adventure in the Mediterranean.
We paddle roughly 150 km of unspoilt coastline, sleep under the stars in secret coves, and explore sea caves that have remained untouched for millennia. With experienced guides who know every corner of the island, your only concern will be to enjoy every moment.
The next expedition leaves soon. If you dream of this great adventure, get in touch with us to book your place and start preparing the perfect bag.
We will be with you at every stage of this unforgettable experience.