What should I wear on a boat party

If you have booked a boat party, one of the questions you may have is, ‘What should I wear to a boat party?‘ and ‘What are the essentials to bring with me?‘

Thinking about what to wear is part of party planning, and many visitors base their outfits on the experience – for example, the Magaluf Boat Party lets you enjoy sea views, music and swim stops in outfits that work for both comfort and style.

1. Swim Shorts or Swimwear 

The number one thing to remember is your swimwear. You could go in your birthday suit, but it might be worth packing if you want jump off the boat to cool down at the swim stops.

Don’t forget swimwear and cover-ups – these are must-haves on the water, especially if you’re heading to events like the Ibiza Boat Party, where you’ll be in and out of the sea before your night out.

2. Shirt or cover-up to prevent sunburn from shoulders

Although the boat parties are generally ‘dress to impress‘, we suggest you bring a shirt or cover-up onto the boat.

Some boat parties can last over 4 hours so if you are under the blazing sun all day, there’s a chance you can get sunburn or worse, heat stroke! So to avoid being sick on holiday bring a lightweight shirt or cover up. 

3. Bring a Hat or cap.

It is always a good idea to bring a cap or sun hat to prevent the sun from the top of your head. A broad-brimmed hat will stop the sun from hitting your neck and face and keep you in the necessary shade. Some boat parties have shade, such as the Tattoo Boat Party in Sunny Beach, and others such as the Kavos Boat Party, do not. So it’s best not to take any chances here and bring a hat! 

4. Sunglasses- Always

Sunglasses are a must for any boat party. Whether you have purchased some Ray Bans from the airport or some Ray Berrys from the looky-looky men, it won’t matter. Sunglasses will not only look cool, but they will protect your eyes from the sun.

The right sunglasses will stop you from squinting and you can party hard without holding your hand above your eyes!

5. Sliders or flip flops

Sliders, flip flops or sandals are the best footwear to wear on a boat party. You can easily take them off when you decide to go for a dip. Trainers are fine, too, but your feet may get a bit hot when you’re partying on the dance floor.

We would avoid high-heeled shoes at all costs, there are usually stairs on the boat, and you don’t want to fall down them after a couple of vodkas! In fact, we wouldn’t recommend taking high heels to any of the party resorts! 

Comfortable footwear is essential if you’re on a cruise that’s part of your party itinerary – like the Benidorm Boat Party — where you’ll be moving between deck areas and enjoying seaside views.

6. Man Bag or handbag

It seems every lad has a man bag now, especially in Ibiza, so it makes sense to wear it on the boat. It means you can keep your possessions close to you, and when you decide to belly flop off the boat into the sea, you can take your bag off.

The same goes for girls; always take a bag to keep your belongings safe. The majority of boat parties in Europe will have somewhere to store your bags when you go into the ocean,

7. Sun Screen

It goes without saying that sun cream is a must when at a boat party! Whether you have light or dark skin, sun cream will protect you from the sun. If you burn easily, then you should consider at least factor 50 and reapply after each time you exit the water. 

8. Hand fan

A hand fan is not essential, but it is recommended, especially in the heat of peak season! This is one accessory that everybody else will wish they had brought! Especially when the boat is stopped for a swim stop.

Protecting yourself from sun and wind matters especially on daytime cruises – for example, on the Tenerife Boat Party, conditions can shift from calm sunshine to sea breeze, so gear up accordingly.

Now you will be blazing under the hot sun, with a little breeze so having a hand fan will keep you cool on deck. You can usually pick up a hand fan pretty cheap on Amazon.

9. Matching outfits

If you are on a stag or hen party or whether you just want to take the best group photos then matching outfits can help your group stand out from the crowd. It will also make it easier to spot each other when partying on the boat.

We have seen it all over the years at Ultimate Boat Parties! Bridge squad bikinis, Lifeguards fancy dress, Even the odd Mankini! 

10. Towel  

This is another optional item but if you are on boat parties longer than a few hours you may wish to take a towel.

This will help dry you off after your swim and can also be a comfort when sunbathing on deck. Most European boat parties will not provide towels so just a heads up for you!

Microfiber towels are great as they pack small into a bag and dry super quick.

If you’re coordinating outfits with friends or planning a group theme, think about how it will look in photos – especially on activities like the Zante Boat Party, where scenic backdrops and music make for great memories.

Quick Summary pack List

• Swimwear
• Coverup
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Flip Flops
• Bag
• Suncream
• Fan
• Fancy Dress
• Towel

This Summer, over 50,000 of you will be partying with us and it is going to be epic! If you have any questions drop our experts a message and we will be happy to help! You can also check out our FAQ for answers to the most common questions.

Ready to Put Your Outfit to Good Use?
Now that you know what to wear, here are some of our most popular party cruise experiences where you can rock your look:

👉 Magaluf Boat Party – Lively daytime cruise with DJs, drinks & sea vibes
👉 Ibiza Boat Party – Party on the water before island nightlife
👉 Benidorm Boat Party – UK-friendly daytime party cruise
👉 Tenerife Boat Party – Scenic daytime cruise with music
👉 Zante Boat Party – Greek island cruise party
👉 Albufeira Boat Party – Algarve daytime cruise vibes
👉 Split Boat Party – Adriatic cruise party experience
👉 Barcelona Boat Party – City coastal cruise with music