Packing for a watersports holiday

On a watersports holiday with Neilson in Sardinia, Croatia or Greece you should expect to pack for long, hot, sunny days. The watersports can be quite addictive and you’ll soon be spending large chunks of the day sailing, windsurfing, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. Out on the water you might not feel the effects of the sun as much as on land due to the cooling effects of the wind and sea spray. The sun will reflect off the water intensifying the effects meaning it’s easier to get sunburnt or suffer from heatstroke, so it’s a good idea to minimise the risks.

Tried and tested basics are a hat (that won’t blow away), a decent pair of sunglasses (that won’t sink), you can buy sailing specific sunnies which float and are glare free, and most important of all a good quality waterproof sun cream. Remember to apply before you go out and top up regularly. 

For those of you who are trying watersports for the first time and don’t want to invest in any kit which may or may not be used again, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt that you don’t mind getting wet and salty is more than enough to start with. A rash vest is also a great idea – they keep the sun off and don’t sag or weigh you down when they get wet. And at the end of the day if you don’t have anything other than your swimsuit that’s fine too, just wear whatever you feel comfortable 

Our advice would generally be to save the space in your suitcase and leave the wetsuit at home. In the warm water and sunshine of the med a wetsuit is very rarely needed. The only exceptions would be at the very beginning and end of the season (May and October), and then that’s only if you really feel the cold. If you do decide to pack a wetsuit, a shortie or wetsuit top should be all you need. A shortie wetsuit has short arms that sit above the elbow and short legs that finish above the knees. You won’t need a thick wetsuit, a 3mm suit is enough (the size refers to the thickness of the neoprene), the bonus of this is that the suit is still flexible, allowing you to move around with ease.


Spray tops are waterproof and windproof and less bulky to pack than a wetsuit, so could come in handy for holidays in May and October when the weather may be a little more unpredictable or the water hasn’t had a chance to warm up. They can be worn over a t-shirt or rash vest and if you’re a keen dinghy sailor are a good investment.

If you think you’ll be spending a lot of time on holiday learning to sail, a pair of sailing gloves will very quickly become your best friend. The combination of salt water, wet ropes and constant adjustment of the sails means that your hands will be exposed to rub and friction. It could very easily put a dampener on your holiday, so if you can, purchase a pair of fingerless gloves and pop them in your suitcase. They’re a useful investment whatever the weather and if you plan on sailing most days you’ll be thankful for them.

That’s your hands taken care of, now what about your feet? A pair of neoprene shoes or boots are useful to stop you slipping on the wet deck and stubbing your toes. A cheap pair will do just fine, shoes range in price from around £5 to £30, so it doesn’t need to be a big investment. 

A buoyancy aid is an absolute essential and is provided on all Neilson watersports holidays. Which is handy, as they are bulky and would take up most of your luggage allowance if you needed to bring your own. If you’re dinghy sailing, kayaking and learning to windsurf you are required to wear one always. Just ask one of the beach team and they will help you select one in the correct size and ensure you are wearing it correctly.