Packing List
What to bring on a Greek Island Sea kayak expedition:
Kayaking equipment - We supply:
- Single kayak , OR Rainbow Atlantis double (tandem) expedition kayak, with rudder
- Paddle – Werner Shuna glass paddle (210, 215 and 220cm), OR Greenland paddle (carbon-fibre, 215-225cm)
- Spray-deck (PVC or Neoprene)
- Buoyancy-aid (a PFD)
See our equipment page for full details.
- Laminated A4 maps
- Expedition first aid kit
- Repair kit
- Safety gear – Tow lines, hand pumps, spare paddles, spare spray-deck
- Communication equipment: cell phone, VHF radio, PLB, flares
Personal Items - You bring:
Camping Kit
- Lightweight tent with sandpegs (available for hire €60/week)
- Inflatable camping mattress (available for hire €20/week)
- Sleeping bag
- Head torch
- Mug, plate and cutlery (available for loan)
- Dry bags (2 x 20 litre and 5-7 smaller ones) – we have some available for loan
- Stove and Pots – Most fuel types are available on Milos. We have trangia stoves for loan.
Paddling gear:
- Quick dry shirt (a long sleeve shirt – a “running top” or “rashy” is ideal)
- Quick dry or neoprene shorts
- Waterproof paddling jacket (cagoule) – available for hire €20/week
- Swimming costume
- Sport sandals, water shoes, neoprene booties or ‘crocs’
- Hat and sunglasses with retaining straps, sunscreen
Additional paddling gear:
(for late and early season expeditions; Mid-October to April)
- Neoprene or “Reed” trousers (available for hire €20/week)
- Extra base layer
- Warm hat
- Pogies or gloves
Dry clothes:
- Pair of trainers or walking shoes
- 2 t-shirts or similar
- 1 shorts
- 1 trousers
- 1 thermal top base layer
- 1 fleece
- Warm hat
- Underwear and socks
Other
- Toiletries
- Pak-towel or similar
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Wet-wipes
- Toilet paper
- Book
- Phone, power bank
- Waterproof camera or camera in a waterproof case/container
Planning
Sea kayaks can take loads of gear, however, the more you have, the heavier (and slower) your kayak is. It is also more difficult and time-consuming to pack and unpack. The key is to keep everything to a minimum. Everything should be packed in dry bags. Many smaller dry bags are preferable to a few larger ones. 20 litres (20 cm diameter) should be the maximum size. We suggest 2 x 20 litre dry-bags and several smaller ones of various sizes and colours.
How to pack!
We recommend you pack everything into dry bags before you leave home. This is a suggested system of packing:
- 20lt – Camp clothing
- 8lt – Cagoule and neoprene trousers (for when you do not need to wear them; keep this accessible in case you do)
- 20lt – Extras. Things you do not necessarily need on a day-to-day basis and can usually stay in the boat at camp: First-aid kit, repair kit. Spare items (sunglasses, sun cream, toilet paper, batteries, etc)
- 15lt – Sleeping bag
- 15lt – Tent
- 12lt – Mattress
- 12lt – Shoes
- 12lt – Food – I use just one for bread, crackers, biscuits, pasta, and small items. Food, for the most part (fresh fruit and veg, tins, jars and bottles) does not need to go in a dry bag and can stay loose or in shopping bags.
- 5lt – toiletries (tooth brush & paste, shampoo, toilet paper, wet wipes, medications, etc)
- 5lt – electronics and books – head torch, book, diary, phone, batteries, chargers, passport, money (probably worth double bagging!)
- Loose items – water and other drinks, food items, stove and fuel.
