What to buy and bring for a canoe trip

A canoe trip needs more than canoes and paddles. Plan food that is easy to portion and eat, enough drinking water, and cooking equipment that can handle an outdoor setup. Keep phones, route maps and spare clothing dry in waterproof storage, and check safety gear before loading. This list covers the practical supplies for launching, paddling, stopping for a picnic and getting everyone back safely.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Open canoesqty 12
Paddlesqty 28
Life jacketsqty 28
Waterproof barrelsqty 12
Waterproof phone pouchesqty 24
Water ticketsqty 3
Compassqty 3
Throw linesqty 3
Bailer bucketsqty 12
Paddle oarsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Whistlesqty 28
Flashlightsqty 8
Headlampsqty 12
Repair kit

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 28
Picnic blanketqty 4

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3
Cooking potsqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Water containersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 30
Reusable bowlsqty 30
Reusable cupsqty 36
Cutlery setsqty 30
Mugsqty 30

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3
Reusable dish towelsqty 8
Tea towelsqty 8

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- White rolls - 30 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 30 pieces
- Young cheese - 2.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Cream cheese spread - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Muesli bars - 36 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa sauce - 3 jars
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Passata - 6 liters
- Tomato paste - 6 cans
- Kidney beans - 8 cans
- Corn - 8 cans
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilos
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Fruit juice - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls

Tips

Plan at least 2 litres of drinking water per person for a full day, then add extra for hot weather or a route with no refill point. Use water containers rather than relying only on individual bottles.
Pack food in portions before departure. Allow one main meal, one or two snacks and two to three drinks per person for the first hour, with extra drinks for the rest of the route.
Use waterproof barrels for shared food, cooking supplies and spare clothing. Put phones in waterproof phone pouches and make route maps waterproof before they are loaded into the canoes.
Count one life jacket and one paddle per participant, plus the canoe equipment needed for the group. Keep throw lines, bailer buckets, whistles and a first aid kit accessible rather than buried under luggage.
Check fuel before leaving: each gas burner needs a compatible gas cylinder, and cooking pots, cutting boards, a chef’s knife and serving spoons should be packed together. Bring coolers and thermos flasks only after deciding what must stay cold or hot.

Frequently asked questions

How much water should I bring on a canoe trip?: Pack at least 2 litres of drinking water per person for a full-day trip. Add 0.5 to 1 litre per person in hot weather or where there are no reliable refill points.
What food is best for a canoe trip?: Choose food that can be portioned in advance and eaten without complicated preparation, such as sandwiches, fruit, snacks and one simple cooked meal. Plan one main meal and one or two snacks per person, with a little extra for delays.
How do I keep food and phones dry in a canoe?: Store shared food, clothing and cooking supplies in waterproof barrels, and use a waterproof phone pouch for every phone. Double-bag items that must stay dry and leave at least 10% spare space for quick packing.
What safety equipment do I need for a canoe trip?: Bring one life jacket and whistle per participant, plus a first aid kit, emergency blankets, throw lines, bailer buckets and a repair kit. Check all safety equipment on the day before loading, and keep the first aid kit and throw lines within immediate reach.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.