If you have a sailor among your family or friends, you know how crazy can these people be about their hobbies. I know, ’cause I’m a sailor too. And what kind of gifts for boaties can be better than sailing gifts themselves?

But now you might be wondering which sailor gift should you choose. This task might be hard if you’re not into sailing that much. I wrote this article to help you save time and make the best decision.

I present to you an inspirational list of ideas for the best gifts for sailors. It doesn’t matter if the person you want to endow is a beginner sailor or an experienced sea wolf.

You’ll find here fantastic ideas for gifts for boat lovers with any kind of sailing skills. I found some nautical ideas for sailing gifts for him, for her, and even sailing gifts for your dad. Personalized, practical, or simply funny. And for any budget. At the end of the post, I even show my own top picks for beginners and advanced sailors and even gifts for boat owners.

Any product from this list will cause a smile on a sailor’s face. And you’ll be sure you found the right gifts for boaters.

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means that if you click on them or make any purchase via them, I receive a small commission. But don’t worry, this will not cost you anything and in a few cases, you can even receive a special discount! And I will still be able to chase my dreams. So thank you!

Sitting on a deck of a sailboat on a sea in a sunny day
Chilling on a sunny deck on my first sea cruise from Amsterdam to Calais

Best sailing gifts ideas – quick answer

Here’s a quick overview of the sailing gifts that I think might be a good fit for any sailor. If you’re in rush, choose something from this list. If you want to make a conscious decision and you’re looking for some more in-depth recommendations, read the rest of the article.

How to choose the right sailing gift?

But first, here’s a quick tip about choosing the right sailing gifts. First of all, consider what kind of a sailor is a person you’d like to endow.

If he/she sails only in a warm climate, maybe woolen socks or thermal underwear won’t be the best idea.

Also, if this person likes to sail, but doesn’t feel comfortable in a role of an active crew member, then maybe funny gifts will be better than practical ones, like a sailor’s knife for instance.

In any other situation, simply trust your intuition. In the end, you know this person better. And she’ll definitely appreciate your effort.

Read more: 40+ Well-Tried Beach Gifts for Beach Lovers of Any Personality

Best gifts for sailors ideas:

Boat accessories gifts for sailors

Power bank

Similar to the charger, a power bank is a useful help on longer hauls with no access to electricity. It helps charge the phone’s battery so the sailor has stable communication with family and friends.

Tip: the power bank with a capacity of ~20’000 mAh is capable to charge a standard smartphone even up to 4 times.

See power banks on Amazon →

Waterproof marine binoculars

Waterproof marine binoculars are perfect gifts for sailing lovers for two reasons. First of all, they help the crew member to keep an eye really focused on dangers in the sea. Rocks above sea level, shoals, small navigational route signs, or other vessels are much easier to analyze with binoculars.

The second reason: no one wants to miss the dolphins or whales playing somewhere in the distance, right?

See binoculars on Amazon →

Waterproof phone case

Here’s a great gift idea for boaters who sail even only occasionally and aren’t too advanced in this sport. A waterproof phone case is a perfect sailing gift idea to keep all smartphones safe on board. Thanks to it the water splashes won’t be scary and the sailor will be able to use the phone even during rain.

See phone cases on Amazon →

Mobile hot spot

In many places in the world, marinas are still not equipped with WiFi. For this situation, having your own SIM card and a wireless hotspot is a great life hack. The hot spot from the higher shelf allows access to a 4G/LTE network, high speed of data, and long battery work.

See mobile hot spots on Amazon →

Headlamp

Unexpected bosun’s works on a deck during the night are much easier with a bright headlamp. This simple device is also useful in peaceful evening moments spent with friends in a wild bay, playing guitar, and having fun.

See headlamps on Amazon →

Solar charger

Stable electricity is a problem, especially on small boats. That’s why solar chargers are perfect gifts for boaties who enjoy short trips on boats without an engine generator. While purchasing this device, pay attention to its portability, efficiency, and alternatively water resistance.

See solar chargers on Amazon →

Garmin Inreach satellite communicator

Safety is the most important thing in the sea. And stable communication is one of its pillar conditions. One of the best gifts for boaties is probably a tested satellite communicator. Many sailors recommend Garmin Inreach. This clever device allows the crew to send and receive text messages via a satellite system. This way they can stay in connection with their families and friends. With the right subscription, it also allows access to weather predictions and navigational maps.

See on Garmin.com →

Floating sunglasses strap

If you’re looking for the most basic and foolproof best gifts for sailors then a floating sunglasses strap might be a great choice. Especially for beginner sailors who just started to collect their sailing accessories. Sunglasses overboard are a common”accident” onboard.

But if they’re attached to the floating protection strap, there is a bigger chance to rescue them from sinking into the oceans.

See floating sunglasses straps on Amazon →

Sailor’s knife

A solid knife is a practical tool on a boat. It’s mostly dedicated to cutting the ropes when needed but it also does pretty well with opening the food cans. Especially useful are knives that come together with a bosun spike. This thick needle nicely helps to untie entangled ropes. So it’s definitely one of the most practical gifts for sailing lovers.

See knives on Amazon →

Thermos bottle

Nothing tastes better than black tea with sugar brought to a cold steersman by another crew member. And ideally, this tea could stay warm for a long time. Here is the moment when a high-quality thermos bottle comes with help. Just pay attention to the time of keeping the high temperature of such a bottle, ease of taking a sip, and quality of materials.

See thermos bottles on Amazon →

Travel coffee press

For coffee lovers, there is no better sailor gift than a travel coffee press. With this smart item, a sailor can enjoy the taste of fresh coffee literally everywhere. Even in the middle of the ocean.

See coffee presses on Amazon →

Hammock

After a tough cruise, among the waves and tons of water, finding a calm bay is a beautiful moment for a sailor. With an ultralight and compact hammock, chilling among trees near a paradise beach creates moments that we live for. If you decide to purchase a travel hammock, pay attention so it’ll be small enough to fit the sailing bag.

See hammocks on Amazon →

Charts

Charts are friends of any advanced sailor. If the person you want to endow plans a trip to some distant waters, charts are ideal marine gifts. They help sailors stay on a safe track and peacefully cruise from one port to another.

See charts on Amazon →

Clothing & packing

Waterproof backpack

One of the most essential parts of the sailor’s equipment is the right backpack. Due to an often lack of space on yachts, it should be flexible enough to store it in a tiny cabin.

While choosing a backpack as a sailing gift, pay attention to a specificity of a sailing cruise. A backpack should be waterproof, without a fixed rack, and filled with practical pockets to easily organize the items inside.

See backpacks on Helly Hansen →

See backpacks on Amazon →

Dry bag

A big dry bag might be a cheaper alternative for a professional sailing backpack. But it’ll be more suitable for shorter cruises.

Although, the small dry bag is perfect for storing smaller items like electronics and documents. Smartphones, cameras, passports, and wallets will be much better protected against the humidity inside of a dry bag than in a standard backpack. It’s an extremely useful gear for short trips on small sailboats, especially without cabins.

See dry bags on Amazon →

Sailing Gloves

Sailing gloves are a perfect kind of gifts for boaties who love to be active crew members and do any kind of deck work. While steering the wheel, hoisting the sails, or keeping deck maintenance, right sailing gloves help keep the hands warm even in rough weather conditions.

See sailing gloves on Helly Hansen →

See sailing gloves on Amazon →

Rubber sailing boots

High sailing rubber boots are a life-saver during the heavy, cold rains on the sea. They help keep the sailor’s feet dry during watchkeeping on the deck. And every sailor knows there is nothing worst for the body’s comfort than wet and cold socks.

While purchasing rubber boots as a sailing gift, pay attention to the sole – it should be well adhesive to ensure a confident walk on a wet deck.

See rubber boots on Helly Hansen →

See rubber boots on Amazon →

Warm socks

In a pair with rubber boots there always go warm, thick socks. Preferably, two or even free pairs at once. As I said before, warm feet keep high morals during tough and stormy cruises.

If you wish to buy a pair as a gift for a sailor, pay attention to materials. Sometimes socks might look warm but if they’re made mostly of synthetic materials like polyester or acrylic, they’ll only cause sweating of the foot. So look for naturally warm materials, like merino wool for instance. It guarantees warm comfort.

See socks on Amazon →

Classy sailing shoes

When the weather starts to coddle a crew, sailors love to present a classy and stylish look, just like on the old ocean postcards. One of the best fashion item, which is also extremely practical, are traditional leather sailing boots.

Personally, I love to wear my blue navy Sperry Top-Sider shoes. Not only while sailing but also on land trips. They’re super comfortable, flexible, and durable. I can honestly say, I’ve never been soo devoted to any other pair of shoes. I recommend them even for non-sailors!

See shoes on Sperry’s website →

See sailing shoes on Amazon →

Sailing jacket

Another essential wardrobe element for sailors is a high-quality sailing jacket. Often, it’s the first bigger investment in this hobby.

In general, we can differentiate sailing jackets by their resistance to water:

  • water-resistant: keep the sailor’s body dry in light rain and occasional sea splashes for a shorter amount of time;
  • waterproof: keep the body dry in rough weather conditions such as constants rain and regular water splashes

For daily occasional cruises, the light water-resistant jacket will be perfect. But if you’re planning to give this helpful sailing gift to a person aiming to join long unpredictable cruises, the waterproof version will be a better choice.

See jackets on Helly Hansen →

See sailing jackets on Amazon →

Thermal underwear

You shouldn’t underestimate the meaning of thermal underwear as a kind of practical gift ideas for boaters. People sailing in a non-tropical climate will surely appreciate this item.

Again, look for durable materials with proven efficiency. Merino wool is perfect for keeping a body warm. Cozy, practical underwear is a must-have of every sailor.

See thermal underwear on Amazon →

Waterproof watch

Another classy item to wear on a boat is a waterproof watch. Many people cannot imagine a day without wearing a watch, so why the day on a yacht must be different?

If a watch is waterproof, the sailor doesn’t need to look after not to soak it. So this small item will be a sailing companion helping to count the hours to the watchkeeping’s end.

See watches on Amazon →

Sunglasses

We can assume that sunglasses is another must-have on a boat. It keeps eyes safe from the blinding sun rays reflecting from the ocean water. But it also helps the sailor keep his eyes open when the sea drops are splashing through the boards.

One of the most important tips for you when you’ll be purchasing sunglasses for a sailor – choose the floatable model. In case of falling overboard, there is at least a chance to drag them up.

See sunglasses on Amazon →

Compression packing cubes

Packing a bag for a sailing cruise is a challenging task requiring pretty high organization skills. You can help your sailor in doing it by presenting his compression packing cubes.

After filling such a cube with clothes, you zip it once to close it. Then you zip it the second time to remove all the unnecessary air and keep the package as thin as possible. This simple trick helps to pack all the needed clothing layers in any size of a bag.

See packing cubes on Amazon →

Laundry wash bag

After a few-days long cruise, there’s nothing better than… the smell and touch of freshly washed clothes. During the long hauls, sailors have limited opportunities to wash their clothes. Especially when they sail in less popular areas where the marina infrastructure isn’t that developed.

In this case, the Scrubba washbag is a perfect solution. This pocket-sized portable laundry bag is a life-saving item for doing laundry on the journey. Simply put the dirty clothes inside, add some water and laundry detergent, close, and scrub. The bag is filled with little spears on its internal surface. Thanks to them, the textiles can be washed. Perfect help for when there’s no access to a washing machine.

See laundry wash bags on Amazon →

Hot water bottle

This item might not be so obvious when you think of great gifts for sailors, but trust me – a person who loves sailing but also loves comfort will definitely appreciate it. Night on a boat might be chilly even in some warmer destinations. And in such cases, a simple but cozy hot water bottle inside a sleeping bag can become a wonderful thing after a cold night watch.

See hot water bottles on Amazon →

Entertainment & education

Ukulele

It’s surprising how many sailors can play instruments. But it’s totally understandable when you’ll imagine the peaceful ocean around you and the warm sun above your head. The songs come to your mouth without asking. A small ukulele is a perfect sailing gift for musical cruisers.

See ukuleles on Amazon →

Waterproof Bluetooth speaker

But if you’re not convinced about buying real instruments, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker will also do a great job in the cruise entertainment field among sailboat gifts. Music during joyful moments on a sailboat might play a big role. Be sure to purchase a waterproof speaker so it’ll be safe during the occasional water splashes. Bonus points if it would have a grasp to hang it safely over the deck.

See speakers on Amazon →

Kindle and Audible Books

For peaceful moments on a boat, when the sea conditions allow, reading or listening to a book is wonderful entertainment. Kindle e-readers or audible books are perfect gifts for boaties because they help to spend time on a boat in an even more meaningful way.

See Kindle on Amazon →

Mini-movie projector

And for movie maniacs, a mini-movie projector will be an interesting sailing gift. Sometimes sailors spend long hours or even days in marinas. Watching favorite movies is a great way to wait out for the right moment to leave the port.

See projectors on Amazon →

Board games

Besides port docking, nothing integrates a crew better than funny board games. Me and my sailing friends, we love to play games while spending hours in ports. One of my very favorite games is Taboo. Lots of laughs are guaranteed with these types of sailboat gifts!

See board games on Amazon →

Sailor’s journal

Some people, on the other hand, prefer to spend time on their own. Contemplating the surroundings on a small boat among the waters is a very intimate moment. Many people love to write down their thought in a situation like this. And here, an ocean-inspired journal might be a great help.

See journals on Etsy →

Grey sailing journal is a great idea for gifts for sailors
Sailing journal by MarleyintheMiddle

Action cam

For people loving to keep lively memories from their adventures, a professional action cam is a great idea among other sailing gifts. The action cam can be easily mounted in different places on a boat to capture any kind of extreme scene. Watching the records while sitting safely on a couch reminds the nice adrenaline spikes.

See action cams on Amazon →

Drone

If you want to give your sailor even more fun, give him or her a drone. Flying with this toy takes the sailing experience to the next level. Capturing the boat’s cruise from the sky is a great add-on to memorizing wonderful moments.

See drones on Amazon →

Udemy courses on sailing

If the person that you’re looking for a gift for aims to grow as a sailor, education might be a perfect sailing gift idea. On Udemy you’ll find a few interesting sailing courses online which might be very helpful for learning new skills. You’ll find there courses on navigating, electronic systems onboard, and some others.

See courses on Udemy →

Woman with a laptop learning from an online course

Sailing gifts for him

Sailor’s tie

Here’s a sailor gift for people loving to feel a connection with sailing even in official situations. A silk tie with subtle sailing patterns will for sure be appreciated by classy sailors. I also recommend choosing silk instead of synthetic materials to build a high-quality wardrobe.

See ties on Etsy →

Silk tie - Sailing gifts for boaties
Click to see this silk tie by Cyberoptix on Etsy
Best sailing gifts for him - sailors tie
Click to see this tie by PinkandDink

Here are other sailing gifts for him that will be a subtle reminder of his sailing passion. Classy cufflinks with marine motifs are original boat gifts for dad or boyfriend. I presented a pair with a sailing quote for my own boyfriend and he was delighted!

See cufflinks on Etsy →

Sailing gifts for him: nautical cufflinks
Click to see these nautical cufflinks by JujuTreasures on Etsy
Sailing gift for dad - nautical cufflinks
Click to see these nautical cufflinks by Cufflinks Galore on Etsy

Sailing bracelet

The sailing bracelet is a perfect example of sailing gifts for him if your sailor prefers more casual jewelry. This simple kind of decoration will assign him to the elite club of engaged hobbyists.

See bracelets on Etsy →

Black sailing anchor bracelet for men
Check this black anchor bracelet by 88degreesStore on Etsy
Sailing gifts for him: sailing bracelet by VentsDesGlobes
Check this sailing bracelet by VentsDesGlobes on Etsy

Sailing gifts for her

Sailing-themed jewelry

Many women love pretty jewelry. And many sailorwomen love even more sailing-themed jewelry! On Etsy, you’ll find various sailing jewelry masterpieces from local artists. These kinds of trinkets are wonderful sailing gifts for her.

See jewelry on Etsy →

Sailing necklace as perfect idea for sailing gifts for her
Sailing necklace by TheStampedLife
Sailing gifts for her: sailing necklace
Click to see this silver compass necklace by JadedSLO on Etsy

Sailing scarf

A scarf is a useful piece of wardrobe, and a sailing scarf is a wonderful item reminding the sailor about her passion. Silk, cotton, or alternatively viscose scarfs are great sailing gifts.

See scarves on Etsy →

Best gifts for boaters ladies: linen sailing scarf
See this nautical scarf by LinenWorld on Etsy

Waterproof toiletries bag

Even though I’m a minimalist when it comes to toiletries and makeup (click here to read my post about zero-waste travel toiletries), I know how the right toiletry bag is essential on a boat. A waterproof toiletry bag might be a perfect gift for your sailing girlfriend. Here are some tips from me: choose a waterproof version (for ex. with a vinyl layer inside) and remember that a toiletry bag with a grasp is perfect in a marina bathroom where there is no place to leave a pouch in the shower except the towel hanger.

See toiletry bags on Etsy →

Vegan-friendly toiletry bag
Toiletry bags by HandLeatherGifts

Personalized boat gifts

Custom engraved compass

One of the personalized nautical gifts, and also a very symbolic one, can be a custom engraved compass. Not only it’s a nice decoration, but the engraved text will remind the sailor about home and people waiting for him to come back to them. It’s a kind of a sailor’s gift that can melt a heart.

See compasses on Etsy →

Engraved comapss
Engraved compass by SFdizayn

Personalized captain’s hat

Here we’ve got one of the most popular funny gifts for sailors. A personalized captain’s hat is a great boat gift for dad (dads love to be called captains) or any other strong leader among your sailing friends. For sure, it helps to keep the right hierarchy and discipline on a boat (blink!).

See hats on Etsy →

Personalized captain's hat
Personalized captain’s hat by Blue Shoppe Studio

Cool and funny boating gifts

4 Ocean’s bracelet

This kind of bracelet maybe isn’t too spectacular but it definitely has a huge meaning. 4Ocean is a company that cleans the ocean out of plastic pollution. The trash they drag up from the water is processed to produce the bracelets. All the money from the sale of these bracelets covers the costs of company operations. Here you can learn more about them.

Purchasing bracelets from 4Ocean as marine gifts will be a perfect solution for sailors who care about the planet and the oceans.

Visit the shop →

Sailing-themed T-shirt

T-shirts with funny quotes are also very cool gifts for boaters. Sailors usually like to show their devotion to this hobby, so a t-shirt with the text “I need vitamin sea”, “But did we sink?” or “Sorry for what I said while docking a boat” is a great idea.

See T-shirts on Etsy →

Funny sailing tshirt as gifts for boaties
Click to see this sailor’s t-shirt by Qurious Shop on Etsy
Funny gift ideas for boat lovers: sailing t-shirt
Click to see this sailor’s t-shirt by oTZIshirts on Etsy

Sailor’s cup

Just like t-shirts, funny mugs are a popular gift for everyone. On Etsy or Amazon, you’ll find plenty of ridiculously funny cups that you can choose from.

See mugs on Etsy →

Gifts for a sailor: white sailing cup with a funny quote
Click and see this sailor’s mug by BelArtemio on Etsy

Wooden toy boat

If you’re looking for really cool gifts for boaters, wooden toy boats might be a surprising idea. But I’m pretty sure it’ll melt the heart of any sailing hobbyist and it’ll stand proudly above a fireplace or on the working desk.

See wooden toys on Etsy →

Wooden toy boat
Wooden boat by Oyma

Boat adventure saving jar

Another cool and personal gift for a sailor is a sailing adventure saving jar. You can one on your own or browse Etsy and find a beautiful and ready jar there. This kind of gift will for sure motivate a sailor to save some money for his next adventures. And who knows, maybe even a boat?

See saving jars on Etsy →

Travel fund jar
Customized fund jar by WestridgeART

Yachting keychain

This is a cool thing that I personally receive from my boyfriend and that I love. At first, I was surprised because a yachting keychain doesn’t sound like a cool gift. But trust me, this big, handy cork ball makes searching for keys in a bag so easy! I definitely recommend it as a cheap sailing gift.

See keychains on Amazon →

Sailing adventure

What could be a better sailors’ gift than a sailing adventure itself? If you wish to give to a sailor a free hand with choosing the kind of this adventure, I propose you purchase a gift card from Get Your Guide. This international company offers various interesting tours everywhere in the world, including sailing trips.

This printable gift card is valid up to 18 months from purchasing and there is no set amount that you should buy. So you can decide how much money you want to load on a card. And in fact, this card is valid for any kind of experience from Get Your Guide, not only sailing. So it gives your beloved ones a whole bunch of adventure possibilities, where ever they go.

Browse sailing adventures on Get Your Guide →

Purchase the gift card →

Sailing adventure as a great sailing gift idea

My top picks of sailing gifts

To make your decision even easier, I share with you my personal top picks. I divided them into three categories so you can easily adjust them to your situation. All of them are in a low or middle price range and are pretty safe choices.

Beginner sailor’s gifts:

  • Waterproof phone case – since everyone has smartphones nowadays, a waterproof phone case one of the first must-haves of a sailor. It’ll be also useful for doing any other water sports.
  • Sailing-themed t-shirt – if someone just started to discover his passion for sailing, a funny t-shirt will be a cool gift.
  • Board game – beginner sailors on a boat are often responsible… for a fun way of spending time. Plus, board games are great to have even at home.

Advanced sailor’s gifts:

  • Compression packing cubes – it’s a super useful tool in the backpack of any traveler. And advanced sailors will appreciate it for sure while packing the clothes for the next trip.
  • Thermos bottle – it feels so good to have an own mug on a boat filled with other people. And if it’s thermal, it also helps to keep a body warm during night watches.
  • Solar charger – this advanced device will be surely appreciated during the long cruises under the sails when the access to electricity is limited.

Sailboat gifts for sailboat owners:

  • Laundry wash bag – boat owners often spent a long time on their boats, also in distant, solitary places. Making laundry in such a bag is definitely easier than making it in a bowl.
  • Waterproof Bluetooth speaker – what can be better than an evening on a boat with favorite music?
  • Hammock – after cleaning up a boat and maintaining everything on a deck, chilling in a hammock is a perfect prize.

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48 best gift ideas for sailors and boaters 48 best sailing gifts for boaties