From the Dock
Active captains are running charters in this region right now, and full-day trips dominate the booking calendar. June's shoulder season means water temps are climbing and flats action is cooling—tarpon and nearshore species like snapper and grouper are the reliable targets alongside permit and bonefish. Pack accordingly for a long day that could pivot between species depending on conditions.
It's June in the Bahamas. Water temps are pushing past 84°F, the sun is overhead by 9 AM, and if you're not on the flats by first light, you're already fighting the conditions. The waxing crescent moon is building tidal energy — morning and late-afternoon windows on the flats are your best shots right now. What you bring on that boat determines whether you catch fish or spend the day miserable and sunburned. The captain provides the rods, tackle, bait, and local knowledge. Everything else is on you.
Sun Protection: Your Most Critical Category
Bring more than you think you need. A full day on the water in the Bahamas in June means direct sun, reflected sun off the water, and zero shade on most flats skiffs. That combination will burn you through a shirt if you're not prepared.
Minimum kit:
- Sunscreen: SPF 50+ reef-safe formula. Bring at least two 3oz bottles. Apply before you leave the dock and reapply every 90 minutes. Oxybenzone-based sunscreens are environmentally damaging on Bahamian reefs — use mineral-based (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) instead.
- Sun gaiter or Buff: Covers neck, lower face, and ears. More effective than sunscreen in those areas and won't wash off in sweat.
- UPF long-sleeve shirt: Light-colored, moisture-wicking. Counterintuitive in heat, but it's cooler than bare skin after 10 AM.
- Polarized sunglasses: Non-negotiable for flats fishing. You're spotting fish through the water surface. Amber or copper lenses work well in the shallow light conditions you'll see in Abaco and the Exumas. Costa, Maui Jim, or Smith all make reliable options — bring a retainer cord.
- Wide-brim hat: Baseball caps leave your ears and neck exposed. A full-brim hat with a neck flap is the better call for a full-day trip.
Seasickness: Manage It Before It Manages You
Most Bahamas charters run in relatively protected waters — flats skiffs on the Marls, reef fishing in the Sea of Abaco — but offshore trips and crossing open water in June chop can put down even experienced anglers. Seasickness is a miserable surprise if you're not prepared and a non-issue if you are.
Bonine (meclizine) is the standard non-drowsy option. Take it the night before a full-day offshore trip and again in the morning. Don't wait until you feel sick — it won't work fast enough.
Scopolamine patches (prescription) work well for multi-day trips. Talk to your doctor before the trip if you've had problems before.
Skip breakfast grease. A light meal with some protein before departure is better than nothing, but better than a full plate of eggs and bacon. Ginger chews (Gin Gins) are worth packing as a backup — they actually work for mild nausea and take up no space.
If you've never been offshore before, ask your captain when you book whether the trip crosses open water. A bonefishing guide on the Abaco flats is a different motion than a deep-drop trip in 300 feet of water.
What to Wear on the Boat
Dress for function. You're going to be standing, casting, reeling, and potentially wading in warm water.
Footwear: Soft-soled, non-marking shoes are required on most charter boats — dark rubber soles scuff fiberglass and gelcoat. Lightweight boat shoes, water shoes, or dedicated flats wading boots all work. If you're wade fishing the hard-sand flats in June, stingrays are active in warm water — a closed-toe shoe with decent coverage is smart.
Bottoms: Quick-dry shorts or lightweight fishing pants. Avoid denim — it's heavy when wet and takes forever to dry.
Layers: Even in June, early morning departures can be cool on the water at speed. A lightweight fleece or packable windbreaker takes up almost no space and matters a lot at 6 AM running to the flat.
Rain gear: A packable rain jacket is worth bringing for afternoon storms. June is the start of wet season in the Bahamas — brief, intense squalls are common in the afternoon. Your captain will make the call on whether to wait them out or head in, but staying dry during a 20-minute downpour is better than soaking through your one dry shirt.
Food, Water, and What the Captain Provides
Most Bahamas charter operators provide water on the boat. Confirm this when you book, but don't rely on it as your only source. A 32oz insulated water bottle that you fill before departure is basic insurance — dehydration hits fast in 84°F heat on a reflective surface.
Food and drinks beyond water are typically your responsibility unless the captain has indicated otherwise. For a full-day trip (usually 6–8 hours), plan on:
- A real breakfast before departure
- Sandwiches or wraps that don't require refrigeration
- Salty snacks (pretzels, crackers) — helps if you're prone to nausea
- A soft cooler with ice and extra drinks
Alcohol: Check with your captain. Most have no issue with a beer in the afternoon after the fishing is done. Fishing while drunk is a liability for everyone on the boat and universally frowned upon. Read the room.
Avoid glass bottles on fiberglass boats. Cans only.
Gear the Captain Provides vs. What You Bring
Licensed charter operators in the Bahamas provide rods, reels, terminal tackle, bait, and fishing licenses. You do not need to bring fishing equipment on a standard full-day or half-day charter. The captains on Charted Waters supply everything you need to fish.
What you don't need to bring:
- Rods or reels (unless you've specifically arranged to bring your own gear with the captain)
- Bait or lures
- Fishing license (covered under the operator's permit)
- A gaff or net (the captain has it)
What you might want to bring for serious flats fishing: If you're booking a dedicated bonefishing or permit trip and you have your own fly rod, talk to the captain before the trip. Some guides actually prefer clients to bring a rod they're already comfortable casting — it saves setup time and reduces misfires on spooky fish. For June flats conditions, that means an 8-weight with a floating line and a reel with a reliable drag. Crab and shrimp patterns in size 4–6 are what's working right now. But this is a conversation to have at booking, not a surprise at the dock.
The June-Specific Packing Reality
Standard packing lists don't account for the month you're fishing. Here's what changes in June.
Midday heat management: Bonefish get lock-jawed when flats temps push past 84°F — which happens by late morning. Your captain knows this and will structure the day accordingly, likely running an early departure and wrapping the active fishing before noon. That means a 5:30 or 6 AM dock time is realistic. Pack your bag the night before. Don't be the person who holds up the boat.
Afternoon storm prep: Bring that packable rain jacket. Afternoon squalls in June are not a question of if, they're a question of when. A dry bag for your phone, wallet, and any electronics is worth the space — a small 5L dry bag fits under any seat and protects what matters.
Glare intensity: June sun angle in the Bahamas is nearly vertical at midday. The glare off the flats is intense. Your polarized glasses work harder here than they would in February. Quality lens coatings matter.
Current moon phase: The waxing crescent is building tidal energy right now. Morning incoming tides are pushing bait and feeding fish onto the flats early. That's a good thing for your trip — it means fish are active and moving in predictable windows. It also means the best fishing of the day happens in the first two hours. Be ready to fish from the moment the captain says go.
What to Leave at the Hotel
Most people overpack. Charter boats — especially flats skiffs — have limited storage. Here's what stays on shore.
Hard-sided luggage: Brings nothing useful to a boat. A soft duffel or small dry bag is all you need.
Excessive clothing: You're going to wear one outfit. Bring a change of clothes in a dry bag for after the trip. That's it.
Perfume or cologne: Bonefish and permit are spooky fish. Strong scents on your hands transfer to flies and leaders and can put fish down. Wash your hands with unscented soap before handling fly lines.
Flip-flops as your only footwear: Fine for the dock. Actively dangerous on a moving boat in chop. Bring actual shoes.
Your entire camera kit: A waterproof phone case and a small action camera cover everything you need. A full DSLR rig on a skiff is asking for a salt-water accident.
Regulations Worth Knowing Before You Go
Your captain handles licensing and keeps you legal, but knowing the rules before you arrive avoids awkward surprises at the boat.
Bonefish: Fully protected under Bahamian law. Catch and release only — no exceptions. Barbless hooks are strongly encouraged. If you're on a dedicated bonefishing trip, this is the entire framework: you're fishing for the catch, the fight, and the release. Handle fish with wet hands, keep them in the water for photos, and get them back quickly. In June heat, bonefish stress faster than they do in cooler months.
Nassau Grouper: Season is open March through November (closes December 1). Minimum 12 inches total length. If you're dropping bait on reef structure, this is worth knowing.
Spiny Lobster (Crawfish): Season is closed right now — it runs August 1 through March 31. Don't take lobster in June. Foreign nationals may not harvest for commercial sale regardless of season.
Queen Conch: 10 per person per day, year-round for sport fishing. Minimum 3-inch lip thickness. Regulations vary by area — follow your captain's lead on where and whether conch harvest is appropriate on your specific trip.
The Short Version: Your Packing Checklist
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
Sun:
- SPF 50+ reef-safe mineral sunscreen (2 bottles)
- Polarized sunglasses with retainer cord
- Wide-brim hat
- UPF long-sleeve shirt
- Sun gaiter or Buff
Clothing:
- Quick-dry shorts or fishing pants
- Soft-soled, closed-toe boat shoes
- Lightweight windbreaker or fleece for early departure
- Packable rain jacket
- Change of clothes in a dry bag
Health:
- Non-drowsy seasickness medication (Bonine or equivalent, taken night before)
- Ginger chews as backup
- Any personal medications
Food and drink:
- 32oz insulated water bottle, filled before departure
- Soft cooler with lunch and snacks
- Cans only — no glass
Electronics and extras:
- Waterproof phone case or small dry bag (5L)
- Sunscreen-free lip balm with SPF
- Cash tip for the captain (standard is 15–20% of the trip rate; full-day trips on Charted Waters run $250–$750 depending on the operator and trip type)
Leave behind: Hard luggage, cologne, flip-flops as primary footwear, glass bottles, and anything you'd be upset to lose to saltwater.