For the most part, kayak camping is just glorified backpack camping. If you are experienced in backpacking and camping, you should have no problem figuring out what to pack. Below is a general list of things that you should bring (separated it into Group Gear and Individual Gear.) Group gear is, obviously, things you need at least one of for the entire group. Individual Gear is anything that each camper should have with them.

Most of the gear listed below have links to other websites to show you what I like to use. If you click on a link and then purchase an item from that webstore, a portion of the sale goes to support Kayak Camp Catalina! Show your support for local business and the conservation of the island through your adventure!

The big things to think about with kayak camping are:

  • Packing so that critical items stay dry
    • It is best to have “dry bags” – bags that are specifically engineered to keep everything inside dry. I go into more detail as to what should go in these dry bags in my “How to Pack” page.
  • Grouping gear into bags for easy storage in the kayak
    • Kayaks designed for camping have storage areas inside the kayak. But the openings/ports tend to be small. In addition, you want to make sure to keep things in bags instead of “floating” around in the compartment. This will help keep your kayak well balanced.
  • Clothes you wear when wet and clothes you wear when you want to be dry
  • No campfires!
    • Make sure to bring a camping stove
  • Water!
    • The sites on Catalina do NOT have running water. You must bring water with you. I recommend at least 1 gallon of H2O/person/day. We were told to buy 1 gallon jugs of water so they fit in the kayak, but we successfully packed 2.5 gallon jugs.
  • Waste bags for hauling out human waste
    • There is NO bathroom at these sites. We must do our part to keep these sites pristine, so yes, you will need to use waste bags for using the bathroom and then haul the waste out with you.
  • Sleeping Bags – down vs. synthetic
    • Down sleeping bags keep you extremely warm and our very compressible, making it easy to pack. However, if they get wet, they completely lose their insulating abilities. Synthetic sleeping bags can get wet and still keep you warm.
  • Communication
    • You are in a remote area, and will often not have cell phone service. It is advised that you have a VHF Radio to call for help during an emergency.
  • Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
    • You must wear a life jacket while kayaking. Who knows what could happen, and especially if you are knocked unconscious, this will keep you afloat.

 

GROUP/SHARED GEAR

Safety
Compass Lighter (2+) / Fire Starter
Map Cell Phone
First Aid Kit VHF Radio
Whistle Mylar Blanket (in case someone gets extremely cold)

Kitchen
Camping Stove (Coleman, Jetboil, MSR, etc.) Paper towel
Camping Stove Fuel Trash bags
Cutting board Cooking Spices
Kitchen Knife Instant Coffee
Spatula Small coolers/insulated bags. For food/drink
Pots/Pans for cooking

Bathroom
WAG Bags or Biffy Bags Hand Sanitizer
Toilet Paper (both of the above bags come w/ TP)

Shelter
Tent Camping Chairs
Something for shade (umbrella, tarp, etc.) Clothesline/spare paracord

Fun
Snorkel and Fins Waterproof Speaker
Tennis Ball/Frisbee/Something to throw around Fishing Pole, Gear, and CA Fishing Permit!
Board game/card game

Other
Flashlight Spare Batteries
Lantern

PERSONAL GEAR

Safety
Water (1 gallon/person/day) Personal Flotation Device (life jacket)(you can rent at kayak rental)
Reusable Water Bottle Pocket Knife
Sunscreen First Aid Kit
Insect Repellant

Kitchen
Cup for coffee Small Towel
Eating utensil (fork/knife/spoon) Toothbrush
Plate or Bowl (preferrably plastic) Toothpaste

Shelter
Sleeping Bag Sleeping Pad

Clothes
Waterproof Shoes/Sandals (sandals w/ a back strap preferred) Sunglasses
Bathing Suit Sweater (for sleeping at night)
Synthetic Shirt/waterproof shirt (w/ sleeves to hide from sun) Wool Socks (sleeping at night)
Synthetic Shorts/Waterproof/quick dry shorts Bandana
Baseball hat

Other
Camping Light/Headlamp Dry Bag (s)
External Charger

Fun
Waterproof Camera CA Fishing License
Swim goggles A book, preferably about adventure or the sea
Fishing Gear