The question we hear most before a first charter is some version of: what am I supposed to wear? The answer is shorter than most guests expect, and the things people instinctively overpack are usually the wrong things. Here is what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect on board so your first day at Marina @ Keppel Bay or ONE°15 feels effortless from the moment you arrive.
Before you book: two questions to settle
How many guests will actually attend?
Charter pricing is per-vessel, not per-guest. Six confirmed friends fit comfortably on the Riviera 39 Open Flybridge. Larger groups move up to a Megaway 45 or one of the Aquila 48 catamarans. Padding numbers wastes money on a bigger boat; underestimating crowds the deck. We would rather you tell us the real headcount.
What is the day’s centrepiece?
A sunset cruise, a swim day around the Southern Islands, a celebration moment, a dinner, a client meeting. Tell our concierge the one thing that has to happen, and the rest of the day is designed around it.
What to wear
The dress code on a private yacht in Singapore is smart resort. A few specifics worth knowing:
- Footwear: soft-soled shoes only on board. Sandals, deck shoes, espadrilles or bare feet are all fine. Avoid black-soled shoes and stilettos, both mark the deck.
- Daytime: light breathable layers in linen or cotton, swimwear underneath if a swim stop is planned, a wide-brimmed hat, polarised sunglasses (essential under the equatorial sun).
- Sunset and evening: a light long-sleeve layer for after sundown, the breeze cools quickly once the light drops. Collared shirts and elegant resort dresses both work.
- Corporate guests: smart-casual is the norm even for client-facing events. We have hosted suit-and-tie groups before, but the deck tends to relax the dress code on its own.
What to bring
A short list:
- Phone in a waterproof case if you plan swim-stop photos
- Reef-safe sunscreen, the equatorial sun bites even when overcast
- A small bag for essentials (the saloon has secure storage)
- Cash or cards for tips and any custom add-ons
- Personal medications
- A swimsuit and small dry layer if not worn under your clothes
That’s it. Resist the urge to bring everything; most things you would think to pack are already on board.
What we provide so you don’t need to
- Fresh towels on each vessel
- Snorkel gear, paddleboards and floats, included with every charter
- Food and drinks per your booking; dietary needs are coordinated in advance
- Bluetooth audio with a curated playlist (request your own if you prefer)
- Backup sunscreen, though bring your own brand if you have one
- USB-A and USB-C charging cables on most vessels
- Phone mounts for deck photography
- Toiletries in the head (bathroom)
If your group needs a specific item (a particular snack, a child’s flotation aid, a piece of equipment), flag it before the day. The crew almost always sources it.
What to expect on arrival
Your first charter day, in order:
- Arrival at the marina (10-20 minutes before departure). Arrival instructions come with your booking, usually Marina @ Keppel Bay or ONE°15 Marina at Sentosa Cove. Parking is straightforward at both. The crew meets you at the dock.
- Welcome on board (5 min). Brief tour of the vessel: saloon, deck, head, swim platform, safety equipment. Welcome refreshments served.
- Departure briefing (3 min). The captain confirms the route based on the day’s wind and tide. Any specific requests are routed through the crew.
- Cruise out (15-45 min depending on destination). Music, conversation, photography. Most guests visibly decompress in the first thirty minutes.
- At anchor. Whatever your day is, swim, lunch, celebration, meeting, happens here. The crew handles food, drinks, equipment and photographs.
- Return (15-45 min). Often the quietest stretch of the day. Many guests fall asleep on the trip back.
- Disembark. A guest book, a thank-you, often a handshake with the captain. The whole arrival sequence takes under an hour once you know it.
A few first-charter tips from the crew
- Trust the captain on the route. They know which corner of the Southern Islands holds the calmest water that day.
- Hydrate early. The Singapore sun is gentler on the water but still draining.
- Take the swim. Even if you only get in for ten minutes, the first time you swim off a private yacht’s stern is the moment most first-time guests say the day clicked into place.
- Tell us the occasion in advance. Birthday, proposal, business win or simple reset, our crew treats each differently.
When you’re ready, browse the fleet or message us on WhatsApp at +65 8980 2262.
