Essential Checklist for Your Lake Travis Party Boat Day

Essential Checklist for Your Lake Travis Party Boat Day

A successful Lake Travis boat party requires more than just showing up. With the right preparation, you'll have everything you need for an amazing day on the water. Print this checklist or save it on your phone to make sure nothing gets left behind.

At Party On Delivery, we handle the beverage shopping so you can focus on everything else. Here's your complete packing checklist for Lake Travis.

Beverage Checklist

Alcoholic Beverages

Non-Alcoholic Essentials

Critical for hydration:

• Water bottles (4-6 per person)
• Sports drinks (2-3 per person)
• Sodas for mixing
• Juice for cocktails
• Energy drinks (optional)

Ice and Coolers

• 2 bags of ice minimum per cooler
• Separate cooler for food vs. drinks
• Backup ice (buy extra, you'll use it)
• Drain plugs accessible

Party On Delivery delivers everything above directly to your door.

Food Checklist

Easy Boat Foods

No utensils required:

• Sandwiches (pre-wrapped)
• Tortilla wraps
• Chips and dip containers
• Cut fruit in containers
• Cheese and cracker packs
• Trail mix or nuts
• Granola/protein bars
• Cookies or brownies

Food Prep Tips

• Pre-cut everything at home
• Use resealable containers
• Pack napkins and paper towels
• Bring trash bags for cleanup
• No glass containers

Safety Equipment Checklist

Required Items

Don't leave without these:

• Life jackets (verify boat has enough)
• First aid kit basics
• Waterproof phone case
• Charged phone for emergencies
• Boat rental documentation
• ID for all adults

Recommended Safety Gear

Extra protection:

• Throwable flotation device
• Whistle or air horn
• Flashlight (for late returns)
• Fire extinguisher (boat should have)

Sun Protection Checklist

Sunscreen

Texas sun is intense:

• SPF 30+ sunscreen
• Waterproof formula
• Spray for reapplication
• Lip balm with SPF
• Face sunscreen if preferred

Coverage

Shade and coverage:

• Wide-brimmed hats
• Sunglasses (with strap!)
• Cover-ups or rash guards
• Beach towels for shade
• Umbrella (some boats have)

Comfort Items Checklist

What to Wear

• Swimsuits (bring two for change)
• Dry clothes for after
• Water shoes (deck can be hot)
• Light cover-up
• Baseball cap

Towels and Comfort

• Beach towels (2 per person)
• Microfiber towels dry fast
• Blanket for evening cooldown
• Pillow for lounging (optional)

Entertainment Checklist

Music

Set the vibe:

• Waterproof Bluetooth speaker
• Charged phone/device for music
• Curated playlist downloaded
• Backup charging cable/battery

Water Toys

Fun on the water:

• Pool floats (bring extras)
• Floating cooler
• Water noodles
• Snorkeling gear
• Underwater camera
• Football or frisbee
• Floating beer pong table

Games and Activities

• Waterproof playing cards
• Floating dice games
• Bluetooth speaker for music
• Portable phone charger

Technical Checklist

Electronics

• Phone in waterproof pouch
• Portable charger
• Waterproof camera
• GoPro and mount
• All chargers

Important Documents

Bring and protect:

• Driver's license
• Credit card for incidentals
• Boat rental confirmation
• Emergency contact list
• Insurance information

Weather Preparedness

Check Before You Go

• Morning weather forecast
• Afternoon storm probability
• Wind conditions
• Water temperature
• UV index

Weather Gear

Just in case:

• Rain jacket (light)
• Plastic bags for electronics
• Extra towels
• Plan for where to dock if storms

Morning-Of Checklist

Before Leaving Home

• Coolers packed and iced
• Sunscreen applied (first coat)
• Phones charged
• Playlist ready
• Weather checked
• Gas tank full

At the Marina

• Check-in with rental company
• Safety briefing attended
• Verify life jacket count
• Know return time
• Get marina contact number
• Locate emergency equipment

End of Day Checklist

Before Docking

• Gather all belongings
• Collect all trash
• Return borrowed items to spots
• Account for all electronics
• Note any damage to report

At Marina

• Return on time (avoid late fees)
• Remove all personal items
• Dispose of trash properly
• Return keys/equipment
• Get deposit back if applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much ice do I really need?

A: More than you think. Plan for 2-3 bags per cooler and expect to replenish if possible. Texas heat melts ice fast, especially on the water.

Q: What's the most commonly forgotten item?

A: Sunscreen reapplication and extra water. People remember to bring them but forget to use enough throughout the day.

Q: Should I bring a cooler or does the boat have one?

A: Bring your own coolers even if the boat has them. Boat coolers are often smaller than you need for a full day with a group.

Q: Can Party On Delivery help me prepare?

A: Yes! We deliver all your beverages so you can focus on packing everything else. One less errand to run before your boat day.

Pro Tips

The Night Before

• Freeze water bottles (they become ice)
• Pre-make cocktails in pitchers
• Charge all devices overnight
• Pack coolers (except ice)
• Lay out everything to load

Morning Of

• Load coolers with ice last
• Double-check ID and confirmation
• Take pre-boat photos (you'll look better)
• Eat breakfast (important for day drinking)
• Apply sunscreen before you leave

Don't Forget

Party On Delivery can handle your entire beverage list. Order for your boat day and check drinks off your list.

---

This article is part of our comprehensive Ultimate Guide to Austin Boat Parties on Lake Travis. Explore the full guide for more tips and resources.