Essentials
• Money belt to carry your passport, travel documents and money, concealed under your clothes.
• A copy of passport, air tickets placed elsewhere in luggage.
• $USD cash for shopping and National Park fee.
• $EC20 cash for Grenada Departure Tax
• Cash for gratuities (see more information below)
• A credit card that works internationally
• Watch or small travel clock with alarm.
Irvin’s Bay Adventures are best enjoyed if you travel light.  For Island trips pack as lightly as possible.  The reasons for this are many:

1) Inter-island flights are limited to 25 pounds baggage per person.
2) You have to lug your stuff.
3) You don’t need much.

Focus on lightweight nylons or polyesters that dry quickly.   On the island of Sandy Island where we stay in the middle of the trip, there is no laundry service. Laundry service is only at the hotels or base so this is a good time to hand-wash clothes in some areas or treks.  We hope you find this list useful and we welcome your favourite ideas as well.

Luggage – We think it is wise to avoid checking any luggage under the plane.  If you do, make sure that you have everything that is either essential or, would be hard to replace, with you in your carry-on bags.  You will be using three main bags during the trip.  One is your main duffel for things you only need at camp.  The second is a small day pack that has things you need with you during the day, and the third is a dry bag provided by Irvin’s Bay Adventures, that you carry on the kayak with you and the fourth is an optional “wet gear bag.”  The contents for each is explained below.

1)   One duffel bag or roll-on that meets carry on requirements.  If you don’t want to carry a duffel bag through airports on your air travels, pack a light duffel bag inside a roll-on bag of carry-on size.  Then, in Grenada, you can pack the things you need for the island trips inside the duffel bag and leave the roll-on at the hotel.  At the end of the trip, this same duffel can then be used as an extra piece of luggage for your souvenirs on your return flight.  Again, this should be a medium-size duffel that meets carry-on requirements. You can just take your roll on bag with you but remember – Wheels add weight.

2)   One small day pack. Outside zippered pockets are nice.  This qualifies as a carry-on “personal item.” A good size measures 18” high x 12” wide by 8” deep plus outside pockets about 2” deep.  Carry medications, books, games and other essentials or “hard-to-replace” items in this on the plane.  While in Ecuador, this is perfect for stashing those items you’ll want during the day, whether sea kayaking, hiking or visiting towns.

3)   Dry Bag (Provided by Irvin’s Bay Adventure) – To use in the island tours on the sea kayaks for items you want to keep handy during the day in your kayak.  This small bag will hold your rain gear, sunscreen, sun shirt, binoculars, camera, etc. on top of your kayak for easy accessibility.

Clothes
• One pair long, lightweight, nylon pants with zipper pockets.  Zip off legs give you more options.
• One other comfortable pair of pants or skirt (One of these first two items is worn on airplane)
• One pair nylon shorts (that double as a swimsuit for the guys.)
• Swimsuit for girls
• Two t-shirts or polo shirts
• One pair light weight pyjamas
• One short sleeve button-up shirt – nylon or poly/cotton
• One long sleeve shirt for sun protection.   You can buy tight-weave nylon shirts with 30 SPF protection made by companies such as Columbia, etc. Sun protection is essential and the Sunshine can be intense and reflected by sky and water.
• One long sleeve button up shirt for town – light poly/cotton (pack in a ziplock bag to minimize wrinkles if you care).
• One light fleece or polyester sweater or jacket for warmth in the evenings and mornings
• Three or four pairs underwear.
• One wide-brim, tie-on hat – floppy nylon is ideal as it packs well. A baseball cap & bandana also works.
• One lightweight raincoat – like a windbreaker that has some waterproof qualities.
• Three pair light nylon or cotton socks, (one thicker pair cotton for the Volcano hike)
• One pair sandals with ankle straps to wear while kayaking, on the beaches, walking around towns, etc.  Chaco is our preferred brand, but Teva and others make these.
• One pair sturdy tennis shoes, or running shoes, to use for the volcano hike and for other times when you want to wear something other than the sandals.  Most people would find hiking boots unnecessary, but if you prefer them, or need extra ankle support, then a lightweight pair may be appropriate.
• Water Gear
• One pair of paddling gloves.  If your hands are prone to blisters. Cheap, fingerless bike gloves work great.
• One lycra “rash guard” shirt adds to the warmth and ease of getting your wetsuit on and off but is not essential
*If you wish to borrow snorkel, fins, mask and/or wet suits, please let us know and it can be provided at no additional cost – this gear will not be considered part of your 35lbs check in weight as we will transport the rental gear for you.
Camping Gear
• One flashlight.  The nicest kind is a headlamp. Extra batteries and bulb.
• One wide-mouth water bottle.
• Small towel for camping. Beach towels are available on the snorkel boats.
• One bandana for sun protection and cooling off.
• Toilet Kit
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap (Ivory or biodegradable are best*)
• General hygiene products & shaving essentials
• Heavy duty skin lotion for dry, sun-baked and salted skin,
• Chapstick/ lip balm with sunscreen.
• Medications – (Dramamine-motion sickness, Benedryl -allergic reactions. See below.)
• Prescription Medications
• Small squeeze bottle of hand-sanitizer gel
• Sewing Kit (optional)
* Under our Park Service permit we are not allowed to use any soap in the sea.  At camp you can use soap to wash your face, hands, etc. and we have a bucket where we store this soapy water.
Miscellaneous
• Bug Spray or Lotion – Guests have experienced a higher than normal presence of mosquitos while at camp recently. It is highly recommended that you have plenty of bug spray, preferably with some DEET. In addition, Insect Shield is a company that will treat your selected items of clothing to be insect-repellent up to 70 washes. While the cost can add up, a treated long-sleeved shirt and pair of pants may go a long way towards ensuring your maximum comfort during the camping portion.
• Sunscreen – 30 SPF or higher.  Sun protection is essential and the equatorial sun can be intense and reflected by sky and water.
• Lip balm w/sunscreen for your day bag
• Sunglasses – Good ones that will protect your eyes from the sun and the reflection off the water. Polaroid lenses offer great marine wildlife viewing.
• Headstrap for glasses and sunglasses – Chums, Croakies or similar.
• Extra pair of sunglasses and glasses.
• Small container of clothing detergent – If you want to do some laundry in your camp site.  Just 3-4 oz of powdered kind.  (Optional – soap and shampoo work too).
• Four or Five white 11-gallon kitchen garbage can liners – for wet clothes, dirty shoes etc.  These are quite useful.
• A few 1-gallon ziplock bags – for packing sunscreens, lotions or anything that might make a mess.
• Camera, video camera, film or memory cards and extra camera batteries – No Flash Photography allowed on some locations/Islands.
• A waterproof camera or GoPro is great for snorkelling
• Small waterproof camera box like the Pelican brand. Irvin’s Bay Adventures provides a soft dry bag for daytime essentials and your camera can go in this but it is not as secure as a box.
• Binoculars – optional but nice for bird watching, dolphin or whale watching, etc.
• Books, pen and note pad, deck of playing cards or other games, etc.