This post will show you what to wear on a boat, with tips and outfit ideas for women.

Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes all the fun activities like beach days, backyard BBQs, and hopefully… boat rides!

What’s not to love about spending a day on the water? From sightseeing to sunbathing to chilling with friends, there are plenty of great reasons to go boating, and if you have any upcoming boat days planned, this post is for you.

Here at CF, we like to be prepared with an outfit for every occasion. That’s why we’re breaking down what to wear on a boat, with tips and outfit ideas for every kind of boat excursion you may take.

(FYI, these outfit ideas are certainly not limited to boat rides only – check them out for general summer and vacation outfit inspo!)

From laid-back to glam, these boat outfit ideas are going to have you looking stylish while still being practical for a boat ride, because dressing for a day on the water is a bit different than dressing for a day spent on land.

First off, let’s start with some general tips for how to dress when you’re heading on a boat:

Table of Contents

Tips for What to Wear on a Boat

• Keep it simple. While there’s nothing wrong with dressing “extra,” a boat is not the best place for an over-the-top look. This is because of the various elements you may encounter, like stronger winds and splashes (you are on the water, after all!). You don’t want to be fussing with your outfit or feeling uncomfortable when you’re trying to enjoy the ride.
• Consider your footwear. Unless you’re going to a dressy boat party, I recommend sticking with flat sandals – preferably, non-slip, waterproof ones. You’ll want to feel steady aboard the boat, even if the waters get choppy. Plus, if you’re going to be taking a dip in the water, you won’t want to ruin any leather or suede sandals by getting them wet. There are many fantastic flat rubber and jelly sandals you’ll find throughout this post that are ideal for a boat day. Also, note that certain boats like yachts may require you to remove your shoes altogether.
• If you’ll be boating in the evening, be sure to bring a lightweight jacket, sweatshirt, or wrap because it can get quite chilly out on the water. It also tends to feel windier (compared to land), which is why having something to bundle up in is crucial.
• If you’ll be boating during the daytime, be sure to bring a hat and sunglasses. You won’t be able to enjoy your boat ride if you have to squint in the sunlight, and a hat will also help protect your face from harmful UV rays. (Just avoid wide brim hats or anything that fits loosely, as the wind can catch these and blow them away.)
• Don’t forget to bring sunscreen! A sunburn can easily happen while you’re out at sea, so protect your skin by slathering on the SPF, even if you won’t be sunbathing.
• Bringing a change of clothes (and a towel) might be a good idea if you’re going to be swimming during your boat excursion. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in wet clothes!

Outfit Ideas for What to Wear on a Boat

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get to the outfits.