The following content may contain affiliate links. At no cost to you, when you click and shop the links, we may receive a commission. It helps support this website and keeps it a free resource for our readers.
Kiki and Ollie
I’ve always wanted to take a sailing trip around the Mediterranean with my family. So, when the opportunity came up for my 35th birthday, I couldn’t pass it up! There’s so much you need to know and prepare for before sailing with a baby, so I wanted to share everything I learned from our experience!
Destination: Sardinia
Age on Trip: 11 months old
Before becoming a mama, some of my favorite trips were sailing charters. Almost every year, I’d plan a trip with friends, sailing the BVIs, Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Sardinia. There is truly nothing better than waking up to the sunrise over the water and sailing between adorable port towns.
But, I’d be lying if I didn’t consider that sailing was off the cards for a few years—until my little one was older.
My biggest parenting mantra became, “I can do hard things.” This mantra has given me the courage to continue traveling with a little one, knowing that there will be hard times but also experiencing firsthand that it’s ALWAYS worth it.
I lead with that confession because you might also have a lot of concerns about planning a sailing trip with a baby or toddler. We had the absolute best time, and I’m now back to planning annual charters with our family and little Oliver in tow.
Don’t wait—take that trip!
I’ve outlined everything you need to know when booking a sailing charter, what to expect, and how to prepare for sailing with a baby!
Let’s dive in!
About Our Sailing Itinerary
I had sailed Sardinia & Corsica a few years ago with friends, and it was a destination I knew I always wanted to return to with my family.
Oliver was 10 (and turned 11) months old when we spent 3 weeks traveling around mainland Italy. We ended our big adventure with a week-long sailing charter in Sardinia. My parents joined us, so there were lots of helping hands on this particular trip!
There are countless destinations you can sail as a family. My main recommendation is to opt for a destination with more marinas and calmer waters when sailing with a baby.
Our next bucket list sailing destination, now that Oliver is a toddler, is the Carribean. It’s a much shorter flight from the US, there’s less of a jarring timezone change, and there are beautiful beaches and lots of marinas and islands to explore!
Yacht Charter Details:
Charter type:
Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42′ Catamaran
booked with:
When:
Saturday, May 27 – Saturday, June 3, 2023
Base location:
Olbia, Sardinia
Sardinia
Catamaran Charter Tips
I highly recommend a catamaran for a sailing charter (especially with young children). They offer way more deck space for lounging than a monohull and are more stable, so there is much less rocking, which makes for a better sleep routine with a little one.
We chartered a Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 Catamaran, and it was the perfect yacht for our family.
A catamaran will usually feature four (nearly identical) internal cabins with ensuite bathrooms and two additional V-berths. If you hire a skipper and a hostess, they can sleep in the V-berths, leaving the four internal cabins for your use.
We traveled as 3 adults and a baby, but there was plenty of space to sleep 8 comfortably.
catamaran Layout
Catamaran Comforts to Consider
Sailing comfort can range from what I like to call “camping on the water” to fully staffed mega yachts. When you’re sailing with a baby or a toddler, you may want to consider these options to ensure a more comfortable trip.
electricity
It’s important to understand that boats don’t necessarily have electricity 24/7. This was one of the most important considerations for us, as we were traveling with formula and other essential baby electronics. If this is essential for you, you will want to ensure the boat has a generator and an inverter before booking. Otherwise, you might only have access to electricity when you are motoring.
water
You will always need to stock up on drinking water, but another consideration on any boat is that you can easily deplete your water storage (used for washing dishes and showering). It’s not a huge inconvenience, as you can fill in a marina, but if you are traveling with a large crew, you may want to consider a boat with a desalination system, which turns seawater into fresh, safe water for bathing, food preparation, and deck wash-downs.
air conditioning
I will say that even in cooler weather, cabins get HOT. They are below deck, and cabins might only have a single small fan. You can leave your porthole and windows open at night, but there is sometimes rain, often bugs/mosquitos, and noise if you’re in a marina. I would typically recommend choosing a boat that has A/C—just in case. DO NOT think of it as a luxury; if you’re sailing during the summer, this is absolutely essential or your cabin might turn into a sweat lodge!
Hiring a Skipper & Hostess
I’ve been on sailing trips all over the world, yet I do not know how to sail.
One of the amazing things about sailing charters is that you can hire a skipper to sail for you while you sit back and relax.
Even IF you love to sail and know how to sail, I would say that it is still worth hiring a skipper as they have local knowledge of so many amazing hidden gems to sail to and do the “work” of sailing—which is a LOT!
They also have direct contact with the marinas and will call ahead to organize a spot. In some destinations (like within Europe), this can be tricky to do on your own as you sail between countries and with language barriers.
When sailing with a baby, I’d also opt to hire a hostess. A hostess shops, preps, and prepares your meals and snacks. And, they clean. I cannot tell you how much time all of that takes up on a sailing trip (especially with a baby), and what a luxury it is to NOT do that on a sailing holiday.
12/10 recommend hiring BOTH if it’s in your budget.
Both your skipper and hostess should be hired in advance through your yacht charter company. Their rates will usually be quoted daily, For example, $250/day for a hostess and $300/day for a skipper.
Extra Costs with a Skipper & Hostess
In addition to a “fee” for hire, you will also need to factor in their provisions (meals), their cabin, and a tip at the end of your charter.
meals
It is customary to always include your skipper in mealtime—whether that’s on the boat or in a marina. Skippers are awesome and usually double as tour guides, so if you go into a marina town, you can ask for them to join you to explore or for a meal. Hostesses will usually need to stock up on supplies whenever you are in port, so you will want to coordinate time to all dine together if you ever want to invite them.
cabins
Your skipper and hostess each need their own cabin. Most catamarans have 2 v-berths at the bow of the vessel. They are small, so it is courteous to offer an interior cabin if one is available. But this is at your discretion.
They will both need to use an interior bathroom, so it’s important to establish which they can both use for a toilet and shower for the duration of the trip.
Tipping
It’s customary to “tip the skip” at the end of your charter. If you were happy with their service, a good rule of thumb is to tip both the skipper and hostess $350-$500 for a one-week charter.
Our Favorite Spot
The Boys
Top Tips for Sailing with a Baby
I did a LOT of planning to ensure I would be able to have an enjoyable trip with a crawling baby on a boat. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Early Check-in:
I’m a fan of paying for an early check-in on a charter, if possible. For example, on our sailing trip in Sardinia, all of the boats were required to remain in the marina on the first AND last night of their charter.
The only way you can set sail the same day you arrive is by paying extra for an early check-in. It’s often worth it because you get an extra location added to your schedule, and you can get a head start to claim a spot in a bay or marina with limited space.
Discuss Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule with the Skipper:
Something to keep in mind with a catamaran is that you are motoring to get around. If you’re sleeping in a cabin at the stern, it’s going to be less choppy as you’re going over wakes, but you’re closer to the engine, which can be loud.
See the sleeping section for more tips on how to manage this!
Schedule Plenty of Time Off the Boat:
You will either anchor or be docked in a marina overnight.
- Pros of Anchoring: It is usually quieter and more private, and you’re surrounded by natural beauty. And it’s free!
- Cons of Anchoring: You cannot restock on supplies, so you will always need to ensure you have plenty of provisions between ports.
- Pros of Marinas: You have full access to electricity and water, you can get off the boat and explore, and you can shop and go out to restaurants (no cooking or cleaning).
- Cons of Marinas: Popular marinas can be $100+ per night, they can be loud (imagine people heading back to their boats after a late dinner and lots of drinks), and less private (you are literally tied up to other boats).
We opted to never go more than 2 nights without a port (it’s nice to eat a meal out, restock food + water, take out trash, sightsee, etc.). And, with a little one, it might be essential to get your little one moving their body more often! It’s possible that swimming and playing on the deck isn’t enough for your baby’s needs.
The thing about boating is that you can’t flush or eliminate toilet paper or dirty diapers. You do the math. You can only throw away bathroom/diaper trash when you are in a marina. Another reason you may consider “going to shore” more often.
Don’t Over-Plan:
You typically spend the last night of your charter back at the base marina, which is pretty much the only thing you need to plan on. You pack, clean up, and get ready to disembark in the morning.
Your skipper serves as your tour guide and will recommend the best places to sail and stay overnight, depending on what the crew is most excited about.
Something else you might encounter is sea sickness, or you or your baby are struggling to sleep onboard. By going to a marina often, you always have the option to stay in a hotel if needed.
It’s important to plan to be flexible and to enjoy the art of not planning—simply hanging out on the boat, enjoying a home-cooked meal, and playing some card games.
Flexibility is Key!
It’s possible that some days you may need to improvise due to weather or crowds. You may even opt to sail to completely different destinations than your original charter plan.
Rain, choppy water, or tons of other boats might make a normally epic sailing spot less desirable, so your skipper will always offer alternative options. Be flexible!
Tips for Formula Feeding on a Boat
Traveling with formula is not always convenient or easy. It often requires a lot of work and the packing of an entire extra bag. The nice thing about a sailing trip is that you only unpack and repack once.
And you have a kitchen!
For a sailing trip, I recommend bringing as much formula (plus extra) as you’ll need and keeping it in an airtight container somewhere safe on the boat where it can’t get wet.
How did you prepare his formula on the boat?
When we travel, we buy local bottled water as needed. We stocked the boat with tons of bottled water for formula and to drink ourselves. I swear by the Baby’s Brew bottle warmer—it was our most used travel item when Oliver was a baby. You simply charge it, and it’s wireless and portable.
Baby’s Brew Bottle Warmer
This is a big reason it’s important to make sure your catamaran has electricity. This bottle warmer was essential for us on every trip. You simply screw on a baby bottle filled with water and press a button to start heating. It’s totally wireless.
Use discount code THEBLONDEABROAD for 10% off
How did you handle bottle washing and sterilizing while traveling?
We washed his bottles in the kitchen sink and let them air dry.
We stopped sterilizing bottles after each use when he was around 3 months old (and healthy), but I would still boil pacifiers and bottles every few days while traveling. We had a gas cooktop in the kitchen, so we simply boiled water and let everything soak for a few minutes.
Bottle Cleaning Supplies
You’ll likely have to clean all of your bottles by hand. This drying rack, brush, and washing solution are compact and perfect for travel.
If your boat happens to have a microwave, I highly recommend packing some Dr Brown’s microwave bags for sterilizing. We didn’t have a microwave on board, but I always traveled with a couple for vacation rental/hotel stays.
Planning to Fly with Baby Formula? Read More Here
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Baby Formula
Tips for Sleeping on a Sailboat
Probably the most anxiety-inducing topic for any trip: sleep.
Truth be told, sleeping on a boat isn’t always comfortable. Small cabins, firm mattresses, a rocking boat, hot & stuffy conditions, etc. But knowing all those things in advance can help you plan to make it more comfortable,
One thing I wish I had brought with me was blackout curtains.
But masking tape and some thick black trash bags work in a pinch! They do make travel blackout shades, but I wasn’t sure how to go about hanging them inside a boat cabin. If you have a hack, let me know in the comments!
If you are setting sail with a napping baby (that needs a dedicated sleeping area that’s not YOU), it can be a little complicated and you have to prepare ahead!
How to Plan Sailing Around Sleep:
Oliver was 11 months old and taking two naps a day. He and I were set up together in one of the back cabins. The cabins at the stern will likely be most comfortable with the baby as they’re closest to the engine and rock less while you are sailing.
I’ll cover our sleeping arrangement in the next section, but I would nap him in the cabin (while watching the baby monitor). What I hadn’t anticipated was how disruptive the motor turning on and off would be.
If we wanted to set sail at any point, we either waited until he woke from his first nap and then set sail. OR, we would turn the engine on, put him down for his nap, and sail the entire nap. The actual motor noise can work as white noise if you set the schedule right.
If your little one can comfortably sleep in a baby carrier, ignore the above and you’ll be all set!
Sleep Essential (Option 1): Portable Travel Tent
If you find yourself sharing a cabin with your baby or co-sleeping, I recommend a travel tent.
We brought the Gloo tent by Joovy and it worked like a dream. During naps, I’d position it in the center of the bed horizontally, so there was no risk of him falling. And, at night, I rotated it so that I slept next to him.
We have the large Joovy Gloo tent — it has air vents and the option to roll up the sides to allow further air flow. It definitely helped darken his sleep space, which I loved.
And, it has a removable air mattress and is rated for safe sleep.
Since boat mattresses are quite firm, I did use it on the bed. It is technically not for use on a bed, so use your best judgement. We opted for this so that I didn’t need to worry about him rolling off of the bed.
Positioning the monitor so I could see inside the tent was a little tricky, so practice with the full setup before your trip.
the sleep setup
compact travel bag
It folds up into a little carrying bag and hardly weighs anything. It is also UPF 50 and makes a great outdoor tent for playing or napping.
PROS
- Less luggage to carry around
- Perfect for co-sleeping families and/or with limited cabins
CONS
- Cannot fit multiple adults AND the baby in one cabin bed with the tent
Sleep Essential (Option 2): Pack and Play
If you have enough space for the baby to have their own cabin, I would recommend bringing a pack-and-play with a slumber pod.
Lotus Crib & Bassinet
This convertible travel crib can be used as a crib or bassinet. It folds up small enough to fit in a backpack and only weighs 15lbs, making it perfect for travel.
SlumberPod Privacy Canopy
Perfect for little ones and toddlers, this blackout privacy pod allows your babe to get a good night’s sleep anywhere (day or night). Its bottomless design is made to fit over a travel crib, mini-crib, or some toddler cots.
Personally, I would have preferred this setup had we not already been traveling prior to our sailing experience. I simply didn’t have the space to bring it along on this trip.
Co-sleeping with a baby was a little rough in a small cabin and I know he would have slept better with more space and a darker room.
Keep in Mind: A pack-and-play is not recommended to be used on top of a bed—and especially not while you set sail. However, when boat movement is minimal, and you have more control of sleep safety, it might be something you consider.
I swear by the Slumber Pod. It easily fits over a crib and offers total blackout. It even has a pocket for a fan and a pocket for a baby monitor.
On future sailing trips, we will definitely plan for him to have his own cabin with a pack-and-play and a slumber pod.
PROS
- More space for you and the baby
- More comfort items for your baby to sleep and enjoy themselves
- Better sleep to be had by all
CONS
- Quite the juggle of baggage
- Can be less safe if you’re not securing properly
- More expensive for an extra cabin
How to Use a Baby Monitor Onboard
We were sailing very calm waters in Sardinia and always at a reasonably slow speed. So, I personally felt comfortable napping the baby in the cabin (with tons of safety measures) while we were sailing and I was above deck.
I do not recommend leaving a baby unattended on a boat without properly securing them… EVER. Especially if they are able to walk.
I mentioned my recommended sleep setup in the previous section, so now I’ll cover how I use a baby monitor while sailing!
First, you need a non-Wi-Fi video monitor. You can find some really inexpensive options on Amazon, and I’ve linked the one I travel with below.
Since you might be without electricity at times, I highly recommend getting a universal USB to AC cable (and finding the right fit for your monitor), and having a fully charged power bank at all times.
You never know when you’ll need to power the monitor or bottle warmer.
I pack a variety of sizes of Command Strips, but they’re especially handy on a sailing trip. You can use them to mount the baby monitor or to secure items (like the power bank) and keep them from falling while sailing.
Anmeate Baby Monitor
I bring this video monitor on every vacation. It’s basic and inexpensive, works without Wi-Fi, and has enough range so the baby can sleep in the cabin while you’re on deck.
Power Bank
Honestly, this is a handy electronic you can bring on just about any trip! But it’s especially useful to keep charged while the boat has electricity. Then, if you are ever without power, you can have it ready or your baby monitor, bottle warmer, etc.
Anmeate USB to AC Cable
In case you need to need an converter for running your baby monitor on your power bank, this will be essential.
Babyproofing a Boat & Other Safety Concerns
Do you think it would be a safety risk with a little one that is a tad older and walking?
We did Oliver’s ISR swim lessons before this trip, and I’d definitely recommend it for all families.
There is often the option to have a safety net put around the railing of a catamaran for an extra fee. I’d have done this if he was walking. I’d also have his life jacket on any time we were sailing.
I’d consider an itinerary/destination that had the option for a lot of time off the boat to keep him entertained (and for our own sanity). There’s only so much restraining you can do with a walking toddler.
How do you manage toddler safety while under sail and he’s awake? Was someone always holding him?
Oliver was always held or in a secure seat while sailing. I don’t think I would have made the trip without extra hands–having my parents was a HUGE help.
I mentioned I would also hire a hostess in addition to a skipper next time. That way, someone can cook and clean while you can enjoy the trip with all eyes on the baby so they’re always safe.
I recommend limiting your walking while holding the baby while the boat is in motion. Also, keep the cabin porthole windows shut as much as possible—they can be a huge safety hazard for you and a toddler walking on the deck.
I would also have a lifejacket on them at all times while sailing.
What about sun protection when on the boat? Just lots of sunscreen?
I definitely recommend UV shirts/full length UV swim suits and hats!
As far as eye protection goes and making sure sunglasses stay on your baby, start practicing at home!
What to Pack for a Sailing Trip with a Baby
In addition to the normal baby essentials, there are a few “sailor’s life for me” products that were absolutely essential when sailing with a baby.
Here’s what I’d recommend bringing:
Metro+ Deluxe Stroller
Honestly, one of my favorite compact baby strollers ever! It’s great for tall parents, lies completely flat for napping on the go, folds into a hand luggage-compliant size, and is sturdy while still being lightweight.
Ergobaby Mesh Carrier
ERGOBABY
Whether you’re enjoying the boat as it sets sail or you’ve docked and are exploring the local port town, you’re going to need easy baby transportation. My favorite baby carrier worked for just about every occasion.
Baby Wrap
This is a bit more of a relaxed carrier, perfect for wearing while you wade shallow, calm waters with your baby!
Coast Guard Approved Life Vest for Infants
We brought our own Coast Guard-approved infant life jacket, and he always wore it on the dinghy when we went to shore. He would go fully limp anytime he wore it, like a dog in clothes. He’s not sleeping here; he’s just frozen.
Laundry Supplies
All laundry you can hand wash and hang to dry on the lines around the catamaran. We packed some eco-friendly detergent sheets for on-hand washing and bought clothespins at local stores.
This also makes for great hand-wash in a pinch!
Sunscreen
We brought our own Coast Guard-approved infant life jacket, and he always wore it on the dinghy when we went to shore. He would go fully limp anytime he wore it, like a dog in clothes. He’s not sleeping here; he’s just frozen.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses on a baby can take some work to ensure they stay on safely. Personally, we trained our baby young to get used to wearing them. But making sure you have a strap can also help.
Bug Spray
I hadn’t thought to bring bug spray and ended up picking some up once I arrived in Italy. But with a sailing trip that can often lead you to impromptu destinations, it’s always good to have bug spray on-hand. Picking a natural, baby-safe brand is a also must.
Command Strips
Sunglasses on a baby can take some work to ensure they stay on safely. Personally, we trained our baby young to get used to wearing them. But making sure you have a strap can also help.
Portable Fan
If your cabin doesn’t have AC (or maybe it does and you just need a little additional airflow and white noise), you’re definitely going to need a portable fan. It not only clips on and rotates to fit just about any piece of furniture (like a crib or slumber pod), but you can also bring it with you and attach it to your stroller as you explore throughout town or fan the baby in your carrier.
Playing Card for Adults
You’re going to want to pass the time on those relaxed nights at sea. We brought Monopoly Deal on the trip and played it every night. We taught our skipper to play on night 1, and by night 3, he was winning nearly every round!
Read More
The Best Travel-Friendly Toys for Toddlers
The Best Travel Products for Babies and Toddlers
Secure Seating
I would recommend bringing both of these seating options when sailing with a baby or a toddler:
The hiccapop Omnniboost Travel Booster is great because you can move it around to pretty much anywhere on the boat or beach. The only issue on a boat is that you can’t secure it to a bench (which is the norm on boats). We would use this when we could supervise him, but we used the other seat to properly secure him while sailing and dining.
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is THE boat essential IMO. It is secured to a tabletop and has a waist belt, so he was fully secured while sailing. We could cook/clean/carry on while he was safely at the table. It is also lightweight and folds up perfectly for travel!
So there you have it! Everything you need to know before taking a sailing trip with a baby! Where are you chartering a boat? Comment below!
