How to Pack a Sea Kayak Expedition Video

Featuring tips and advice on how to pack a sea kayak for a multi-day expedition.

Helpful links:
What to wear sea kayaking blog: https://www.wildernessscotland.com/bl...
How to pack for wild camping: https://www.wildernessscotland.com/bl...
What to wear sea kayaking video:    • What to Wear Sea Kayaking in Scotland  

Sea Kayaking Expedition Packing Kit List

What to bring on a multi-night sea kayak expedition can be divided up into 4 different lists, ‘Non-Negotiable Activity Kit’, ‘The Actual Expedition Essentials’, ‘Creature Comforts’ and ‘Extras’.

If you’re travelling with Wilderness Scotland on a sea kayaking expedition, we take care of the ‘Non-negotiable’ list in its entirety, and for ‘Actual Expedition Essentials’ we arrange for the camping, cooking and toilet equipment. We expect clients to plan for their own clothing and outdoor accessories.

If travelling with us, ‘Creature Comforts’ will be provided by Wilderness Scotland. If expeditioning independently, these items are optional.

'Extras' are just that, not essential to your safety and you can do your trip without these items but they can make your trip just that bit better! We’ve listed a mobile phone as an extra, however, any expedition benefits from a GPS location device in case something goes wrong and your need assistance. Mobile phones do not always have the capacity to serve in this manner so we recommend you bring a dedicated device.

These lists are optimised for our trips, but we hope that even if you’re embarking on your own adventure, this outline will help you with your independent efforts. Going on a multi-day extensive expedition is a serious undertaking that requires a lot of equipment and preparation to be safe, this is just an outline of the kit, it’s all ultimately dependent on where you go, who you’re with and what you’re doing.

Non-negotiable Sea Kayaking Kit for an Expedition:
Sea Kayak
Paddles
Split Paddles
Kayak Repair Kit inc Hatch Covers
Hand Bilge Pump
Float Bags
Dry Bags
Buoyancy Aid
Spraydeck
Cag
Flares
First-aid Kit
Tow Lines
Sponge
Throwlines
GPS location device
Maps of area visiting

(The quantity of items depends on group size.)

The Actual Expedition Essentials:
/ / Clothing / /
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof over trousers and quick-drying walking trousers
Weather permitting shorts/swimwear
Moisture-wicking base-layer (Merino wool or synthetic) for upper & lower body
Fleece mid-layer for upper body
Warm socks, could opt for wetsuit and/or waterproof socks
Neoprene shoes, trainers or wellies
Warm hat & sunhat
Waterproof gloves
Change of shoes for on-land activities
Change of clothes for on land/spare clothing
/ / Camping Equipment / /
Lightweight tent
(Lightweight) Sleeping mat
(Lightweight) Sleeping bag
Chargers & Rechargeable Battery Packs (if bringing items that need to be charged)
/ / Cooking Equipment / /
Camping cooking equipment (gas canisters & stoves)
Round cooking pots with lids and handles
Cooking utensils (spoons, knives, chopping board, tin opener)
Plastic bowls & cutlery for eating
Washing up equipment (bowl, sponge & biodegradable washing up liquid)
Travel tea towel
Light & matches
Cooking essentials (oil, salt, pepper)
Ingredients to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner
Recyclable bin bags (separates for food, general, glass, cardboard/cans)
/ / Toilet Equipment / /
Trowel
Biodegradable toilet paper
Durable waste bag (if packing out feminine hygiene products)
Antibacterial hand gel
/ / Outdoor Accessories / /
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Midget net
Midge spray
Anti Bacterial Hand Gel
Travel towel (microfibre is the best option as it’s lightweight and fast drying)
1 to 2 litre water bottle (Nalgene bottles can also double up as a hot water bottle!)
Personal thermos
Headtorch

(Again, the quantity of items depends on the group size and the duration of the expedition.)

Creature Comforts
/ / Food & Cooking / /
Travel coffee press & ground coffee
Folding seats
Folding tables
Thermos flask
/ / Camping / /
Portable off-ground fire pit

Extras
/ / Camping / /
Travel pillow
Reading/cards/frisbee (evening entertainment)
/ / Tools & Technology / /
Mobile phone
Camera
Binoculars