Destin Packing Checklist

Sun, which is the real constraint

• Reef-conscious sunscreen, more than you think, applied before you leave rather than on a moving boat
• A rash guard or long-sleeved swim top for anyone who burns — more reliable than reapplying
• Hats that stay on in wind, not hats that look good in still air
• Sunglasses with a strap for anyone going on a boat
• A shade plan for the beach: umbrella, pop-up, or a confirmed canopy on the boat

Glare reflected off shallow water is the part people underestimate. It burns undersides — chins, forearms, the backs of knees.

Water and the boat day

• More drinking water per person than feels sensible, in something insulated
• A dry bag for phones, keys and anything that must stay dry
• Water shoes for anyone who dislikes an uneven bottom underfoot
• A towel per person that is not the accommodation's
• A change of clothes for the drive back

Fit matters more than quantity

• Properly fitted life jackets for non-swimmers, if fit matters to you — rental spares are sized generically
• Your own snorkel mask if anyone is particular; a bad seal ruins the trip faster than anything else
• Motion-sickness remedies for anyone who might need them, bought before the trip rather than at dawn

Practicalities

• Printed or screenshotted confirmations for every booking, in case signal is poor at the dock
• A small first-aid kit, including something for stings and something for blisters
• Refillable bottles rather than a case of single-use ones
• A bag you are happy to get wet and sandy

Fill in before you travel

Accommodation address and check-in time

Accommodation contact number

Departure point for each booked activity

Anything an operator asked you to bring