What to buy and bring for a canoe trip

A canoe trip needs more than canoes and paddles. Pack food and drinks that can handle a full day outdoors, plus waterproof storage for phones, maps and spare layers. The right safety equipment should be ready before participants arrive, not found at the last minute. Use this checklist to prepare the launch point, lunch setup and support gear without overlooking small essentials.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Canoesqty 10
Paddlesqty 20
Spare paddlesqty 2
Adult life jacketsqty 20
Children's life jacketsqty 2
Towing lineqty 2
Canoe coversqty 10
Waterproof dry bagsqty 12
Waterproof phone casesqty 20
Waterproof route mapsqty 4
Compassqty 2
Whistlesqty 6
Canoe cartsqty 2

Equipment

Power banksqty 4
Headlampsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 2
Charging cablesqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 25
Reusable platesqty 25
Reusable cutleryqty 25
Napkin holderqty 2

Furniture

Folding tablesqty 3
Picnic blanketsqty 6
Folding chairsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand soapqty 2
Washing-up tubsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Towelsqty 10
Disinfecting gelqty 3
First aid kitsqty 2
Plaster kitqty 2
Tick removerqty 2

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 4
String lightsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 25 pieces
- Whole grain rolls - 15 pieces
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 25 pieces
- Bananas - 25 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Mandarins - 30 pieces
- Muesli bars - 30 pieces
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 2 bags
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Broth - 2 boxes
- Soup - 6 liters
- Croutons - 3 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Paper lunch bags - 30 pcs
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
- Paper tissues - 6 packs

Tips

Pack about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add roughly 500 ml for each further hour on the water. Keep extra drinks in coolers at the launch or lunch point.
Prepare one lunch pack per participant, plus 5–10% extra portions for late additions or damaged food. Use reusable plates, cups and cutlery so the group does not depend on disposable supplies.
Allow one waterproof dry bag for every canoe, with separate waterproof phone cases for participants carrying phones. Put route maps in waterproof sleeves before leaving the launch point.
Bring at least one spare paddle for every 3–4 canoes and pack a towing line where it can be reached quickly. Check that adult and children's life jackets match the participants before check-in.
Charge phones and power banks the evening before the trip, and bring charging cables in a dry bag. For a late return or poor visibility, pack one headlamp or flashlight per canoe rather than relying on phone lights.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a canoe trip?: Plan one lunch pack per person, with 5–10% extra portions. Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 500 ml for every additional hour, plus a small reserve.
What safety equipment should I bring on a canoe trip?: Bring a correctly sized life jacket for every participant, at least one spare paddle for every 3–4 canoes, a towing line, whistles and a compass. Keep the safety equipment accessible rather than buried under lunch bags.
How many dry bags do I need for canoeing?: A practical starting point is one waterproof dry bag per canoe, with extra bags for shared clothing, food or electronics. Give each person carrying a phone a waterproof phone case as well.
When should I pack and charge equipment for a canoe trip?: Charge phones and power banks the evening before departure. Pack dry bags, waterproof route maps and safety equipment at least 1–2 hours before check-in so you still have time to replace missing or damaged items.

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