Boat picnic shopping list

A boat picnic needs more than sandwiches and drinks. You need food that travels well, enough cold storage, reusable tableware, and equipment that stays secure when the boat moves. Plan portions for the final guest count, then pack separate coolers for drinks and food so the main meal stays cold. This list also covers the items people often remember too late, including ice packs, bottle openers, waterproof phone cases, lighting and cleaning supplies.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 30
Picnic blanketsqty 6
Seat cushionsqty 30
Tablecloth clipsqty 24

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 35
Reusable drinking glassesqty 40
Reusable wine glassesqty 30
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Thermos flasksqty 3
Portable speaker
Power banksqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Bottle openersqty 3
Scissorsqty 2

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Water-resistant bannersqty 4
LED candlesqty 20

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Safety

Life jacketsqty 30
First aid kit
Waterproof phone casesqty 6

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12
Soap dispenserqty 2
Towelsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini wraps - 40 pieces
- Beef ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 500 grams
- Pesto - 2 jars
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 3 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Mixed green salad - 2 kilogram
- Feta cheese - 750 grams
- Olives - 3 jars
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Meatballs - 120 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 80 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic dressing - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Whipped cream - 2 canisters
- Mini brownies - 40 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Bandages - 1 box

Tips

Plan about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Bring extra drinking water, especially on warm or sunny trips.
Pack roughly 1 main portion and 2–3 snack portions per guest. Keep vegetarian servings separate and label food containing common dietary allergens before loading the boat.
Use at least 1 cooler for drinks and 1 for food, with enough ice packs to keep both cold throughout the trip. Chill drinks before departure so the coolers are not doing all the work.
Bring one reusable plate, bowl, glass and full set of cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra. Add serving spoons, trays, cutting boards, kitchen knives and a bottle opener; these are easy to leave on shore.
Secure tablecloths, banners and lightweight decorations with clips, and choose LED candles or lanterns rather than open flames. Pack power banks, spare batteries, waterproof phone cases, a first aid kit and a dishpan before leaving the dock.

Frequently asked questions

What food should I bring for a boat picnic?: Choose food that can be eaten with minimal cutting and will not spill easily, such as sandwiches, salads, fruit and prepared snacks. Plan 1 main portion and 2–3 snack portions per person, with separate vegetarian portions and clearly marked dietary alternatives.
How many drinks do I need for a boat picnic?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 additional drink per person for every hour after that. Include water in the total plan, chill everything in advance and bring extra ice packs for the full sailing time.
How much tableware should I pack for a boat picnic?: Pack one reusable plate, bowl, drinking glass, wine glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each item, along with serving spoons and trays.
What safety items are needed for a boat picnic?: Check that there is one suitable life jacket for every person on board before departure. Also pack a first aid kit, waterproof phone cases and power banks; review the safety equipment and boat arrangements on the day before guests arrive.

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