If you are reading this article, it is certainly because you are worried about taking your precious little one on a boat trip, especially if it’s the first time. Having a baby change life completely for the better, of course, but it doesn’t have to stop you from having fun! You must organize the trip according to your baby’s needs so that the whole family can have a fantastic getaway on the water and most importantly, sail in complete tranquility! Boating with a baby can be incredibly fun if you know what to do! So…read on!
Does Your Baby Need to Wear a Life Jacket?
Yes, he does, but it depends on his weight. Any approved life jacket won’t fit an infant if his weighs less than 18 pounds.
It is up to you if you want to put a life jacket on a new baby born, but it just won’t perform as expected on him since they don’t have a neck at that age. So, take your precautions.
Baby Life Jacket Check-List
There are many types of life jackets for babies. So, be sure you choose the right one. For recreational 
boating, you need a U.S Coast Guarde approved life jacket. Don’t just lay on the label indication, make sure it fits your baby as well.
Many parents make the mistake of buying a bigger size for their children hoping it will suit them in the following years. A life jacket will not provide enough protection for your infant if it does not fit correctly!
Get him used to it! Make your baby wear his life jacket as often as possible and try it in a pool first to see if it fits properly.
How to Get the Best Out of Your Sailing Trip?
Even at home, you need time for yourself to recharge the batteries but on vacation, you will require it much more than usual because you’ll just want to enjoy as much as everyone else does. And if you are the only one onboard with a baby, you may feel excluded from the group. The best option is to sail with other couples that have babies as well, or with family so that they can have an eye on the infant while you are busy with something else. Another alternative is to take a nanny to accompany you on the sailing trip.
What If there isn’t the possibility to sail with someone that can help you?
There is much debate on this subject, and some people will disagree with this but Imagine you need 4 hands to handle the boat, a car seat will be of great use to you. It really helps, but don’t overuse it!
What to Bring
Don’t take too much with you. Keep it simple!
For my two babies, I have used cloth nappies as we are green and our interest is to keep the ocean healthy! Here is a list of what you should bring for an extended trip
- Diapers + Bags
- Baby birth certificate
- Long sleeve swimsuits
- Several wide-brimmed hats
- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
- Fold away baby bath
- Little swimmers
- Medicines – Infant Tylenol – Neosporin – thermometer
- Lightweight travel strollers
- Bottle washer baby + bottles
- Baby soap
- Baby sunscreen
- Insect repellent for baby
- Baby flotation device
- Ziplock bags for snacks
- Few Clothes
- Nonmarking sandals
How to Get Your Baby Used to The Boat
Try to keep trips short for the first times and gradually extend the tours. As mentioned 
above, try to bring someone, like a grandmother or someone else you feel safe with to help you.
Make a lot of stops and spend time on the beach. Children love playing in the sand, and in the water, so do we:)
Best Option For Sleeping
The sea air makes us tired, and after a long day swimming and playing on the beach, you can be sure that your baby will have a good night sleep! Also, kids fall asleep very quickly on board a boat due to the gentle rocking motion.
However, when booking your boat make sure the charter company you sail through have security bed for your baby. Ask them if it’s possible to get one. We’ve always used a kids air mattress for all our trips, and for us, it was the best option. We’ve found it easy to carry, and it was comfortable for our children.
What Boat is Best for Sailing With an Infant?
Babies need a lot of space to run and play around. So you’ll need a boat that suits your 
needs. Consider renting a catamaran so that you can have plenty of areas for the storage and the whole family. Plus catamarans are extremely comfortable and more stable than any other vessel.
These are excellent for big groups such as couples, and family with children.
Tips For Boating With a Baby
- Make him drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.
- If you sail for few days, try to make a lot of stops.
- Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, insect repellent and polarized sunglasses.
- Bring some toys beach sands to keep him busy on the beach
- I always carry small music instruments like harmonica, even though my babies don’t know how to play, but they just love the sounds of it, and it keeps them busy for a while:)
- Check if there is a bimini on the boat before renting it so that you and your infant have the option to sit in the shade while sailing.
- Even if it’s not sunny or you are in the shade, always put sunscreen on your baby skin.
In Conclusion
It might seem risky and challenging at first for someone who has never sailed with a baby, but once you are on board, it won’t take long to get addicted to the sea:)
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Have you already sailed with your baby? If so, please, feel free to share your experience in the comment below.
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
We got our boat when my son was only 18 months and you are right, there is a lot to consider when taking little ones out.
When we first got it we didn’t have a Bimini top on the boat, after the first time out, we immediately got a top on it. Being on the water with not shade was not fun, we didn’t stay long the first time out.
Hi Jeremy,
Yes, a Bimini top is a must on a boat as it protects you from the sun, which is very important!
Great you’ve got one:) Now you can enjoy longer trips!
It is a big responsibility to take a baby anywhere whether it is in the pool, to the beach or on a boat, we need to take our precaution! Dangers are everywhere even at home!
Thank you very much for the comment and wish you a wonderful day!
Thanks Daniella for this article and tips.
You brought up many issues and aspects that I have never thought of.
I agree with you that many people are scared from the idea of taking their kids on a boat trip, and I admit that I am one of them.
Last summer I wanted to go on a yacht trip in the red sea with my wife and threw kids, then before booking a thought came to me that one of my kids may fall in the sea and I wasn’t sure that I will be able to take care of them on the boat.
Just this thought made me remove this idea from my head.
Maybe next summer I will have the guts to do it and ofcourse your tips will be of great help.
Thanks again and looking forward to more valuable articles from you.
Hi there,
You are very welcome. It is always a pleasure for me to help!
The sea can be frightening, and it is understandable because the sea is sometimes unpredictable. But it is not more dangerous than taking a baby on the road. There are much more car accidents than boat crashes. Many people live on a boat with their children, it just a question of getting used to the idea as anything else in life:) You just need to take your precautions:) Check the weather, hire a skipper, put a life jacket on and you ready to go. As I have mentioned it in the article, to get rid of your fears, sail for an hour first and extend your trip slowly. Chances are you, and your baby won’t want to come back:)
The Red Sea is absolutely beautiful. I have been sailing there few times. My family and I have dived into the Red Sea with dolphin more precisely in Eilat. I would recommend Eilat to anyone who wishes to have an unforgettable sailing trip!
Thank you very much for the comment and wish you to sail soon with your children:)
Have a wonderful day!
Interesting article. I basically grew up going out on our boat when I was young but would never think to bring either of my daughters on one as infants. It has good info about going out as groups with kids and the jackets do not fit the very young.
Good write. Thank you.
Hi Ramsey.
Thank you for the comment!
Well yes not everyone is interested in taking their baby out on a boat, and it’s totally OK:) We need to do to what we feel is right for us! I am glad you’ve found this article useful and thank you again for the comment.
I wish you a fantastic day!
And I can see the little tyke getting addicted to the sea just like I am! I have a new grand baby coming very soon, I am so excited! My son and daughter-in-law both are not beach or water people. But their son or daughter is going to get a LOT of influence from me 😀 Great information! I bookmarked so I can use the list and not forget anything! Is is possibly that babies can get sea sick easily?
Hi, Matt’s,
Wow, congratulation! This is really exciting!
You’ll be a great grandmother:) Yes, babies can get seasickness and if you see that he/she is vomiting, try to give him water with ginger in it. This will help.
Thank you for the comment and wish you lots of fun with your new grandbaby:)