What to Pack for Island Hopping

Luggage: soft, not hard

Boat crews stack bags on open decks and hand them across gunwales. A 40–60 litre soft duffel or backpack survives that; a hard shell gets scuffed, does not compress and is miserable on sand and cobbled village lanes.

Add a 20-litre dry bag for boat days. Spray comes over the bow of every bangka and longtail on every crossing.

The list that matters

• Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (SPF 50) — oxybenzone sunscreens are banned in several marine parks
• Rash vest with long sleeves — better sun protection than reapplying on a moving boat
• Own mask and snorkel — rental gear leaks and costs the price of a set within a week
• Quick-dry towel and two swimsuits so one is always dry
• Reef shoes for volcanic and coral shorelines
• Waterproof phone pouch on a lanyard
• Power bank and a universal adapter — island power cuts are routine
• Motion-sickness tablets, taken 45 minutes before boarding
• A basic first-aid kit with antiseptic, blister plasters and rehydration salts
• Cash in small notes for park fees, tricycles and beach kiosks

What to leave behind

Hairdryers, more than one pair of shoes beyond sandals and trainers, jeans, and hardback books. Laundry costs a few dollars a kilo everywhere in Southeast Asia and half a day in Greece.