Guide to Boat Camping

Boat camping is a dream come true for the intrepid outdoor adventurer. Skip the crowded campground, leave your hiking boots at home, and explore nature from the comfort and privacy of your floating home.

Sleeping on Your Boat

The trick to getting a good night's sleep on your boat is to invest in comfortable bedding. Not all camping mats are suited for hard surfaces like the deck of a boat, so choose thick foam pads and heavy sleeping bags to keep you cozy. And since you’re camping on the water, you definitely want to look for products made with water resistant materials.

Camping on Islands

Boat camping gives you the opportunity to answer that age old question: what would you bring to a deserted island? If you plan to include some island camping on your itinerary, first be sure to pack your tent! You also want to make sure your backpack contains a first aid kit, all the necessary food and water, and a few trash bags for packing out your garbage.

Recommended Gear

Aside from bedding, what are some other must-have items for boat camping? This list covers all the bare necessities, which should leave plenty of room in your cargo hold for any recreational equipment you want to have with you.

• Cooler (packed with ice or ice packs)
• Camping stove
• Plenty of non-perishable food
• Plenty of fresh bottled water
• Portable toilet (if your boat doesn’t have its own sanitary unit)
• Paper maps of your destination
• Communication devices (and chargers)
• Personal Flotation Devices (one for each passenger)
• Water resistant clothing
• First aid kit

Other helpful items include a GPS unit, insect repellent, and sun protection in the form of sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing. Even summer nights on the water can get chilly, so remember to pack some warm clothing as well. 

Activity Ideas

Nature lovers will find no shortage of ways to fill the time on a boat camping vacation. You can explore remote areas, discover hidden places, and capture one-of-a-kind photographs. You can pack up your bait and tackle and enjoy fishing in peaceful solitude, listening to the gentle lap of the waves. You can find great spots for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. You can bring a sketchbook or journal to document your adventure, or even a portable easel to do some landscape painting. Your only limit is your imagination!

Safety Tips

Since you might be venturing far away from emergency services, it’s especially critical to follow all the best practices for safe boating when boat camping. Adult passengers should wear their Personal Flotation Devices whenever the boat is moving. Children should wear their PFDs at all times, and remain seated when the boat is moving. Mop the deck as needed to keep the surface from getting slippery.

Stock your boat’s first aid with antiseptic wipes, band aids, and antibacterial ointment. Bring plenty of backup supplies, like extra food and clothing. Make sure to have a point of contact back on dry land who knows your complete itinerary. If you’re going to be traveling in an area with cell service, you can set up regular check-in times with your contact person. That way if you miss a check-in, they will know to call for help on your behalf.

Finally, remember that boating and alcohol don’t mix! Boating under the influence isn’t only dangerous, it’s against the law. Leave the six-pack to enjoy when you get home.

Are you looking for your perfect family boat? Check out the selection at New Jersey Outboards. We are located in Bayville, New Jersey. We also serve those in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as New York and Connecticut.