Please go through this list twice carefully. Check it no later than a few weeks before departure to make sure you have everything (NOTE: for many legs immunizations and/or visas are required and often require more time to complete, so get on it early). All of the gear you'll need on our expeditions should fit into two bags: preferably a soft-sided foldable duffel bag and a small day pack. IMPORTANT: If you are bringing kite and/or surf boards, buy a "golf" bag, like these ones that Best Kiteboarding sells. Don't mention "Surf" or "boards"- this includes "kitesurf". Simply say they are "kites" and are only material. No large hard case luggage, or metal framed backpacks please. Wheeled baggage is OK as long as it can collapse and be stored. Go light - you will use a LOT less than you think. Each person will have a private locker for clothes and toiletries. Please dispose of any trash before boarding (i.e. camera packages, plastic, etc.).

Discovery current inventory:

• Kites: Kahoona: 2 X 9.5M, 7.5; Nemesis HP: 1 X 8M, 2 X 10M, 1 X 12M; Waroos: 1 X 13M, 2 X 11M, 2 X 9M, 1 X 7M, 5M; Bularoo: 10M, 2 X 7M, 13M
• Bars: for all kites Harnesses: 6 (small to large)
• Boards: 6, range from 121 up (largest is Spark 139)
• Surf Boards: 3 Aviso carbon boards: 5.11, 6'2", 6'3"; 6'0" Thruster (Best); 6'0 strapped Underground, 5'11" Amundson Custom strapped, 5'7 Thruster
• SUP Boards:12' Surftech "Laird", 10'3" Surftech "Takayama", 9'2" Amundson Custom
• Pumps: Plenty, do not bring your own
• Snorkeling Gear: Poor range of fins, very limited masks and snorkels (bring your own)
• Fishing Gear: Three excellent rods, reels, hand lines, large range of lures
• Spear fishing Gear: Captain's only, plus a few others- bring your own if you spear fish
• Diving Gear: We do not operate scuba diving from the vessel. If you plan to dive, we will try to arrange diving with local operators, but this cannot be guaranteed.
• Communications: We have internet access, which can be used for voice calls as well. You we be billed for use (each mb is $12 USD).
• 220/110 volt power is available in each cabin for shavers and recharging batteries.

If you wish to purchase any gear from Best Kiteboarding (shipped directly to you) we have an Offshore Odysseys account which allows our owners to purchase at considerable discount. Let us know if you are interested.

Tropical Clothing

• 2 pairs of comfortable, quick-drying board shorts. Cotton shorts hold salt and moisture and aren't recommended.
• Swimsuit
• 1 pair nylon pants (if you're planning on dining out).
• 1 lightweight short-sleeve synthetic or hemp sport shirt. This style of shirt is considerably cooler than a t-shirt in the tropics.
• 3 t-shirts
• Light-colored, lightweight long-sleeve shirt for sun protection.
• Lightweight modest skirt, sarong or dress for women.
• Wide brimmed sun hat with tie down.

Rain Gear

• A lightweight, breathable rain jacket (pants are unnecessary in the tropics).

Footwear

• Comfortable, sturdy, lightweight, and fast drying sandals for shore use. We recommend the Teva "Lennox".
• Booties for foot protection in shallow areas and kiting/surfing. Hyperflex make GREAT booties.

Miscellaneous Needs

• Cash- for your provisioning fee ($45 per day) + crew tips, communications, shore excursions, slideshow and photos, etc.
• Passport (MUST be valid for 6 months beyond your trip)
• 4 X passport photos (VERY IMPORTANT), and 2 X passport copies
• "Shorty" wet suit (contact us for each trip- on most this is unnecessary)
• Sailing sunglasses. Quality, polarized lenses are a must on the ocean. We sell Sea Specs, Zeal Optics, and Kaenon polarized on board for use while kiting/surfing, etc.
• We have high quality sun block, rash guards, wetsuits, watches, t-shirts, H2O Audio ipod cases, and helmets on board for purchase.
• Personal "toys". Spear fishing gear, surf boards, etc. You can't bring everything so if in doubt ask us. But if you are interested in spear fishing- you MUST bring your own, don't expect to use boat gear (ie the Skippers!) as it cannot be replaced.
• Bring presents for the locals. Things for schools (pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, stickers, etc.) or anything that would be useful in third world countries (books, medicine, etc.) goes a long ways to developing friendships and allowing us access to their culture. The smiles alone will more than compensate the cost.
• Gath surf helmet for surf legs if you'll be going for heavy surf
• Repair kit for kites and ding repair kit for boards.
• Small Dive light if you're keen on bug (lobster) hunting at night (rechargeable batteries)
• Ear plugs, especially if we are covering some ocean miles

DO NOT BRING (IMPORTANT):

• Alkaline batteries (if you need to bring batteries, bring rechargeables). Batteries cannot be disposed of properly or recycled where we are.
• Lap top or Blackberry. This is your hard-earned vacation. Certainly you can get away from work for a week or two? Your mind and body will thank you if you do!
• Bug spray (we have plenty)

Visa Requirements

Seasickness:

Most of us are queasy, if not seasick for the first 24-48 hours of any sail. Eliminating coffee and increasing water intake greatly reduces the chance of seasickness and dehydration. Dramamine (oral) works well if taken beforehand, the "patch" gives 3-4 days of protection, and Stugeron is the only one that works once you are sick (and people swear by it). If in serious doubt, you should obtain 12 Compazine (generic name: prochlorperazine) 10 mg. suppositories (NOT ORAL) which is hard-core protection. Candied ginger is the ONLY non-pharmaceutical that has been proven to help (wrist bands and all others are a waste of money). Please try this or any prescription seasickness drug out before joining the trip to check for possible side effects.

Antibiotics:

As with any remote adventure we ask that you consult your doctor and obtain a broad-spectrum oral antibiotic (ie Cipro, Flucloxacillin, Amoxicillan, and Cefalexin) for treating skin, throat, eye or ear infections before joining us. Please visit The Center for Disease Control to determine if you need any immunizations at least 3 MONTHS before the trip to our planned location.

Optional:

• Camera, Ipod, sport gear, DVD's (your crew will be very appreciative!), CD's (ditto), USB storage devices for photo swapping, video camera, journal, books (we have a library on board).
• If you are interested in having professional photos taken of yourself, please let Jody know when you board. There will be additional fees for this service.
• Fishing lures would be appreciated- have your shop rig up 4-7" squids, jets, rapalas- any tuna lure with 200lb mono filamentnt or steel wire leaders.

Scuba Diving:

If you plan on diving, bring your basic kit- mask, fins, snorkel. Do not bring tanks or weight belts and we highly recommend renting BCD's, gauges and other gear rather than bringing your own. Bring your certification card for air fills. Dive shops typically only discount 10% for using your own gear - better to use theirs.

Not a bad idea to get traveller's insurance these days!

What you need to Know:

Here are a few things to understand before you come aboard so there are no surprises:

1. This is not a pampered luxury charter (though it is a luxury yacht). You are an owner and expected to be a part of the team. While you have a professional crew and chef, basic maintenance and cleaning will be expected and laid out by the Captain on the day of your arrival.
2. Please drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep in the days prior to boarding. This will ease any tendency towards sea sickness and keep you in smiles the first few days.
3. Please be prepared for a full safety briefing and trip overview on the day of your arrival by the Captain.
4. Tipping is appreciated, and especially encouraged for our chef and crew. 10-15% of trip cost (Adventures = $5900, Epics $8456) is a standard crew tip. Any tips should be given to the Captain to disperse at the end of your trip.
5. We have a laundry machine on board.
6. Please understand WE ARE NOT A SCHOOL AND DO NOT TRY TO BE. You or any of your guests should be able at minimum to stay upwind or you MUST bring (and pay accommodation expenses) for an instructor or pro to join the trip. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE!
7. If you have not done so, please send us your medical form several weeks before boarding so we can be sure to provision properly.

And a few rules you should familiarize yourself with:

1. Nothing in the heads but human waste. Nothing that hasn't been eaten first. No hair, no toilet paper- NOTHING but human waste. Feminine hygiene products should be wrapped up in toilet paper and thrown in the waste bin.
2. No wet clothing or bodies below decks.
3. Be conservative with water. Just a cardinal rule on a boat and good practice. We have a water maker, but the more water we use the more we have to run the generator to charge the batteries.
4. Don't leave lights on. Each time we have to turn a light off for you it's dish duty!
5. Leave sand on the beach and not in the dinghy or on board. Clean your gear, rinse your feet.
6. Please keep your living space clean and orderly for the safety of yourselves and others and to protect your investment. Another cardinal rule on a boat- if it can fall, IT WILL!
7. Please do not use any equipment you are not familiar with without asking the Captain or your Crew first.