Printable planning kit
Boat Day Checklist
For any day that involves getting on a boat, of any kind.
One list that works for snorkel sails, fishing charters, sandbar days and sunset cruises. The details differ; the failure modes don't.
The single most common boat-day mistake is arriving at the advertised departure time. Check-in is earlier — always ask what time to actually be there.
Before the day
- Confirmed check-in time (earlier than departure) and exact meeting point
- Confirmed which marina or dock — operators use several around the island
- Confirmed what's provided versus what you bring
- Asked whether the boat has shade, a restroom, a ladder and a freshwater rinse
- Told them everyone's ages if children are aboard, and confirmed gear sizes
- Read the weather and cancellation policy
- Worked out parking at the dock, or how you're getting there
Pack
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen, applied before you leave
- Rash guard or long-sleeve sun shirt per person
- Hat with a strap, sunglasses with a retainer
- Towel and a full change of dry clothes
- Dry bag for phones, wallets and keys
- Refillable water bottle per person
- Motion-sickness remedy, taken before boarding
- Light layer for the ride home, especially in winter
- Any medication you might need while aboard
Leave behind
- Glass containers — banned on most boats
- Jewelry and anything you'd mourn losing
- Spray sunscreens, which are deck-slick and often prohibited
- Unleashed electronics
- Hard-soled or marking shoes
At the dock
- Arrived at check-in time, not departure time
- Used the restroom before boarding
- Completed any waiver
- Mentioned anything the crew should know: nerves, mobility, medical, first-timers
- Listened to the whole safety briefing, including where not to stand
- Stowed the dry bag where the crew suggested
Aboard
- Know where the life jackets are
- Know the crew's signal for “come back to the boat”
- If motion-prone: seated low, mid-vessel, horizon in view
- Reapplied sunscreen after water time
- Drank water on a schedule rather than on thirst
- Kept an eye on children at all times, including in shallow water
Confirm directly with your provider
These depend on the operator and the day. We don't publish them because we can't know them for your booking.
- Actual arrival time and the precise meeting location
- What's included and what you should bring
- Shade, restroom, ladder and rinse availability
- Age minimums, life-jacket sizes and any capacity limits
- Cooler, glass and alcohol policies
Fill this in
- Operator and vessel
- Dock / marina and how we're getting there
- Check-in time
- Operator phone number
Key West Compass is an independent publisher, not an activity operator. We publish no prices, availability, forecasts or travel times, and we don't rank or recommend individual operators. Providers control pricing, scheduling, safety and service — verify material details with them directly.