What to Pack for a Kayak Trip

A kayak trip needs more than boats and paddles. You need a dry way to carry phones, maps, spare clothing and food, plus enough water for the full route and a clear plan for emergencies. Pack chilled food in coolers with ice packs, and keep route details and emergency numbers in waterproof covers. This checklist also covers the items people often leave until the last minute, such as charged power banks, dry bags and a spare paddle.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Kayaksqty 12
Kayak paddlesqty 12
Life jacketsqty 14
Waterproof barrelsqty 12
Whistlesqty 12
Throw anchor lineqty 2
Transport cart
Ratchet strapsqty 8
Waterproof phone casesqty 4
Route mapsqty 4
Waterproof route map coversqty 4
Dry clothing bagsqty 12
Headlampsqty 12
Spare paddleqty 2
Paddle repair kit
Emergency blanketqty 4
First aid kit

Equipment

Power banksqty 4
Charging cablesqty 6
Lanternsqty 3

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 3
Folding chairsqty 14
Picnic blanketsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Ice packsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving plattersqty 6
Serving utensilsqty 6

Tableware

Platesqty 16
Drinking glassesqty 20
Coffee cupsqty 14
Cutlery setsqty 16

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 8
Soap dispenserqty 2
Waste binsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 36 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini wraps - 36 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,2 kilogram
- Vegetarian slices - 800 grams
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Potato salad - 2 kilogram
- Olives - 3 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Barbecue sauce - 1 bottle
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 bags
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 18 pieces
- Bananas - 12 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 24 pieces
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Bread bags - 1 pack
- Paper napkins - 3 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Wet wipes - 4 packs
- Sunscreen - 4 bottles
- Insect repellent - 3 bottles

Tips

Allow at least 1.5 to 2 litres of drinking water per person for a full day, and bring extra if the route has no refill point. Use thermos flasks for hot drinks and keep cold drinks in coolers with ice packs.
Pack one complete change of clothes per person in a dry clothing bag, including warm layers and spare socks. Keep the bags in waterproof barrels rather than loose in the kayak.
Put phones in waterproof cases before launching, not after the first splash. Print route maps and emergency numbers as backups, then place the paper maps in waterproof covers.
Charge every power bank the night before and pack the correct charging cables. Bring at least one power bank for each small group that needs phones for navigation or emergencies.
Prepare food that can be eaten without much cutting or cooking, such as sandwiches, fruit and snack bars. Pack a cutting board, chef’s knife, bread knife and serving platters separately for the picnic area, so food preparation does not happen inside a kayak.

Frequently asked questions

How much water should I bring on a kayak trip?: Pack 1.5 to 2 litres per person for a full day, plus extra for hot weather or routes without refill points. Keep at least one bottle easy to reach during the paddle.
What food is best for a kayak trip?: Choose 2 to 3 portable snacks per person and one filling meal, such as sandwiches or wraps. Prepare and portion the food before departure, then keep it chilled in a cooler with ice packs.
Do I need waterproof bags for a kayak trip?: Yes. Give each participant one dry clothing bag and use waterproof barrels for shared food, electronics and other essentials. Waterproof phone cases should be fitted before boarding.
What safety equipment should I pack for kayaking?: Each person needs a correctly fitted life jacket and a whistle. Also bring a first aid kit, emergency blanket, throw anchor line, spare paddle and paddle repair kit; check all equipment before launch.

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