What to wear on a Klein Curaçao powerboat

On the boat: assume you will be soaked

Swimwear or a fitted rash guard is the uniform. Quick-dry shorts if you want coverage. A strap or croakie for glasses is mandatory if you like those glasses. Phones, passports and wireless buds go in a real dry bag, not a supermarket zip bag that splits.

Skip loose hats or clip them until you land. Skip flowing cover-ups that become sails. Skip denim. Life jackets go over what the crew issues — wear swimwear underneath so you are not peeling street clothes in the wind.

On Klein Curaçao: sun, salt, rock

A long-sleeve rash guard earns its keep on the sand even if you rode in a bikini. Reef-safe sunscreen, reapplied. A towel you do not mind ruining. Closed-toe or sturdy sandals for the lighthouse — flip-flops are how people cut their feet and abort the walk.

A light long-sleeve for the air-con van back to the hotel is smart. You will be salty and tired. You will not want to sit in a wet cotton hoodie for 40 minutes.

Pack this (powerboat + island)

• Swimwear you can sit in for two hours wet
• Rash guard (crossing + reef + no shade on the island)
• Glasses strap or cheap backup sunglasses
• Dry bag for phone, keys, tickets, a little cash
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a stick for your face
• Towel (tours rarely provide a good one)
• Shoes you can walk coral rock in — not dressy flip-flops
• Refillable water bottle if the boat allows; extra water if you hike the light
• Hat with a clip, or skip the hat until you land
• After-sun or aloe for the van home

What to expect on the day

1. 1You will be damp before you see the island. That is normal, not a bad crew.
2. 2Salt in hair, seams and camera buttons. Rinse gear when you are back on Curaçao.
3. 3The lighthouse walk in wet swimwear is fine; the walk in flip-flops is not.
4. 4No changing rooms on Klein Curaçao. A towel wrap is as private as it gets.
5. 5The ride home can be windier. Keep the rash guard on even if you dried off on the beach.

Frequently asked questions