Three hours, a shallow reef, a rocky landing and strong equatorial sun. Here is what actually earns its place in the dry bag.
What we already provide
Before you pack anything, know what you do not need to bring. Every guest gets a transparent kayak and paddles, a life jacket in the right size, and a waterproof dry bag for the things you cannot get wet.
- Transparent kayak and paddles
- Life jacket, fitted before launch
- Waterproof dry bag per kayak
- Local guide and safety support on the water
The five things that genuinely matter
Footwear is the one people get wrong. The landing at Anse Pierrot and the short walk to the viewpoints are over rock, not sand — flip-flops come off and bare feet are miserable. Bring water shoes or sandals with a heel strap.
Sun protection is the second. You are on reflective water near the equator for three hours with almost no shade. A hat that stays on in wind, and reef-conscious sunscreen applied before you launch, will do more for your day than anything else on this list.
- Secure water shoes or sandals with a heel strap
- Reef-conscious sunscreen, applied before launch
- A hat with a chin strap or tight fit
- Drinking water — more than you think
- Swimwear worn under your clothes
Worth bringing if you have them
A phone or camera is close to essential given what you are paddling over, but secure it. A floating strap costs very little and removes the only real anxiety of the trip.
A light quick-dry towel, a small snack and a dry T-shirt for the ride home all make the last hour more pleasant without taking up meaningful space.
- Phone or camera with a floating strap
- Quick-dry towel
- A small snack
- Dry T-shirt for afterwards
- Cash or card for L’Union Estate park entry
Leave these behind
Anything valuable that is not waterproof, anything you would be upset to lose, and loose jewellery all belong at your accommodation. The dry bag is genuinely dry, but a kayak is still a small boat on open water.
Also skip single-use plastic. You are paddling over a living reef, and there is nowhere on the route to dispose of anything.
- Non-waterproof valuables and documents
- Loose jewellery and anything that slips off
- Single-use plastic bottles and packaging
- Glass of any kind
What to actually wear
Swimwear under quick-drying clothes is the whole answer. A light long-sleeved rash top is the single best upgrade if you burn easily — it removes the need to re-apply sunscreen mid-paddle, which is awkward from a kayak.
Sunglasses with a retaining cord are worth it for the glare off shallow water. Without a cord, assume you will donate them to the lagoon.
