The shore bag
Our packing lists, buying guides and many travel stories carry a Shore bag: the few things that make that trip, swim or storm easier. This page keeps all of them together, grouped by what you are doing, with the stories that explain when each one helps.
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Sun and skin
The Bahamian sun is strong all year, and reef-friendly mineral sunscreen is the kind to bring.
- Mineral zinc oxide sunscreen lotion, SPF 30 or higherZinc-based, water resistant, for body coverageBrowse on Amazon
- Mineral sunscreen stick for faceEasy to reapply on nose and cheeks between swimsBrowse on Amazon
- Lip balm with SPFLips burn quickly on the waterBrowse on Amazon
- Aloe after-sun gelSoothing for the evening after a long day outBrowse on Amazon
- Packable wide-brim sun hatShade for the face and neck that survives a suitcaseBrowse on Amazon
Read first
- How much sunscreen to pack (planner)
In the water
A mask that fits, fins that pack flat and a long-sleeved layer for long swims over the reef.
- Adult mask and dry-top snorkel setA mask that fits beats renting one that leaksBrowse on Amazon
- Kids' mask and snorkel setSized for small faces, so it sealsBrowse on Amazon
- Short travel finsFit in a suitcase and still push you alongBrowse on Amazon
- Reef-friendly mask anti-fogClear view without spitting in the maskBrowse on Amazon
- Inflatable snorkel vestLets nervous swimmers rest on the surfaceBrowse on Amazon
- Women's long-sleeve rash guard, UPF 50Covers shoulders and back during long snorkelsBrowse on Amazon
- Men's long-sleeve rash guard, UPF 50Covers shoulders and back during long snorkelsBrowse on Amazon
- Quick-dry water shoesRocky entries, sea urchins and hot sandBrowse on Amazon
A beach day
Shade, a cold drink and somewhere to put things down that is not wet sand.
- Large waterproof beach toteTowels, snorkel gear and sunscreen in one bagBrowse on Amazon
- Sand-free beach blanketSand falls through instead of coming home with youBrowse on Amazon
- Pop-up beach shadeShade on the cays where there are no umbrellas to rentBrowse on Amazon
- Soft-sided cooler bagLunch and cold drinks for a boat or beach dayBrowse on Amazon
- Quick-dry microfibre towelDries fast and packs smallBrowse on Amazon
Read first
- Sunrise and sunset times (planner)
The suitcase and the day bag
Light clothes packed small, and a day bag that keeps the phone and papers dry on boats and ferries.
- Compression packing cubesKeep beach clothes and town clothes apart in a small bagBrowse on Amazon
- Roll-top dry bag, about 10 litresPhone, keys and a towel stay dry on boat days and wet landingsBrowse on Amazon
- Waterproof phone pouch on a lanyardPhotos from the dinghy without risking the phoneBrowse on Amazon
- Insulated stainless water bottleCold water through a hot afternoon on the beachBrowse on Amazon
- Slim 10,000 mAh power bankA day of maps and photos away from a socketBrowse on Amazon
- UK-to-US plug adapterBahamian sockets take US plugs; this lets UK plugs fitBrowse on Amazon
Read first
- Packing list for your month and island (planner)
On a cruise
Cabins are small and the walls are steel: a few small things make them easier to live in.
- Heavy-duty magnetic hooksCabin walls on most ships are steel: hang hats and bagsBrowse on Amazon
- Retractable card lanyardKeeps a ship card or room key on you all dayBrowse on Amazon
- Travel Guard trip insuranceCompare cover for trip cancellation, delays and medical careContinue to Travel Guard
Getting there and getting around
Flights to Nassau and the Family Islands, a car where the island is long, and a phone holder for driving on the left.
- CheapTickets flight searchCompare flights to Nassau and the Family IslandsContinue to CheapTickets
- EconomyBookings car hire searchCompare car hire at Nassau and the Family Island airportsContinue to EconomyBookings
- Car phone mountHands-free maps on unfamiliar island roadsBrowse on Amazon
Cover for the trip
Medical care on a small island can mean a flight, and storms can change plans: read what each policy says about both.
- World Nomads travel insuranceCover for active trips, including snorkelling and boat daysContinue to World Nomads
- Travel Guard trip insuranceCompare cover for trip cancellation, delays and medical careContinue to Travel Guard
Hurricane season at home
Water, light, a radio and papers you can grab, bought before a storm is named rather than after.
- Water container with a tap, about 5 gallonsStores drinking water and pours without liftingBrowse on Amazon
- Hand-crank and solar emergency radioRadio news and a phone top-up when the power is outBrowse on Amazon
- Battery LED lanternSafe light for a dark house, no candlesBrowse on Amazon
- Rechargeable headlampBoth hands free for shutters and generators at nightBrowse on Amazon
- Large first aid kitCuts and scrapes when clinics are closed after a stormBrowse on Amazon
- Fire-resistant document bagPassports, deeds and insurance papers in one bag you can grabBrowse on Amazon
- Manual can openerTinned food is no use without oneBrowse on Amazon
- EcoFlow portable power stationQuiet battery power for lights, fans and phones when the grid is downContinue to EcoFlow
- BLUETTI portable power stationA second battery option for outages, rechargeable from solar panelsContinue to BLUETTI
The island kitchen
A heavy pot for peas and rice and a mallet for tenderising conch.
- Enamelled cast-iron Dutch ovenEven heat for peas and rice, souse and stew fishBrowse on Amazon
- Meat tenderiser malletPounds conch for cracked conch and frittersBrowse on Amazon
We choose these from makers' specifications and published reviews, and we have not tested them ourselves. Check sizes and details on the shop's page before you buy.