Pack a life jacket for every person, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, more water than you think you need, snacks, towels, a dry change of clothes and a waterproof way to carry your phone. Everything else is comfort. Below is the full list for lakes around Coeur d'Alene, Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley, sorted so you can pack in ten minutes and still have the boat day you planned.
TL;DR
- Safety first: a properly fitted life jacket for every rider, a whistle, and a dry bag for phone, keys and first-aid kit.
- Sun and heat: sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), hat, sunglasses, loose light clothing, and enough water for the whole trip.
- Food: a small cooler with easy finger foods and salty snacks, plus a trash bag to pack everything out.
- Renting from us: bring a photo ID and the damage deposit ($500 per jet ski, $1,000 per boat), and leave the heavy gear at home.
- Lake water stays cold well into summer, so bring a dry layer for the ride back.
Table of Contents
- The core list: what every lake day needs
- Safety gear and the rules behind it
- Sun, heat and water: pack for the exposure
- Cold water: the layer most visitors skip
- Food and drinks for a boat day
- Keeping phones, keys and wallets dry
- Extras for kids and family days
- Packing for a rental day with us
- Our perspective
- Ready for your lake day
- FAQ
- Sources
The core list: what every lake day needs
These items go in the bag no matter which lake, which boat or how many people.
- Life jackets. Treat them as the first item, not an afterthought (more on the rules below).
- Sunscreen. Sharp HealthCare recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, applied generously and reapplied, because swimming and sweating wear it off.
- SPF lip balm, sunglasses and a hat. Water throws glare back at you, so the hat and glasses matter more on a boat than on a trail.
- Lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing. The National Park Service recommends this alongside sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Swimsuit, quick-dry towel and water shoes or sandals. Docks and shorelines can be rocky or hot.
- Reusable water bottles. Bring more than seems necessary.
- A change of dry clothes. You will want it, even in July.
- Trash bags. Local lake guidance asks visitors to pack out all garbage and keep music at a level only your own group hears.
Safety gear and the rules behind it
On a rental day, the safety items are the ones that cost you the day if you get them wrong.
Life jackets. Idaho says everyone riding a personal watercraft or being towed behind a vessel must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Idaho also requires children 14 and under on boats 19 feet or less to wear an approved one while underway, and the jackets must be properly sized, in good condition and within easy reach. If you cross into Washington waters, children 12 and younger must wear one underway on vessels under 19 feet, and paddleboards need one properly fitted jacket per person too.
Our rentals come with safety equipment, so you do not need to buy or haul jackets. Do bring any child's own jacket if you know it fits better, and check the fit before you leave the dock.
Two ways to call for help. Washington State Parks recommends two wet-compatible communication methods, such as a whistle plus a waterproof phone or marine radio. Clip a whistle to your jacket and keep the phone in a sealed case.
A small first-aid kit and insect repellent. Both are on the REI beach checklist and cost almost nothing to carry.
A weather check. Look before you leave and again on the water. Afternoon wind can turn a calm morning choppy.
For the full rules on stickers, alcohol limits and life jackets on Lake Coeur d'Alene, read our guide to avoiding fines on Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Sun, heat and water: pack for the exposure
A day on open water is hotter than it feels, because the breeze hides the sun. The National Park Service advises bringing enough water for the entire trip, drinking before you feel thirsty and packing salty snacks to replace electrolytes lost through sweat.
Shade is the item people forget. A pop-up shelter or umbrella works at a beach stop, and Sharp HealthCare also suggests a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing such as a rash guard or long-sleeve shirt. On a boat, a rash guard does the job of reapplying sunscreen to your shoulders every hour.
Cold water: the layer most visitors skip
Air temperature in July can be hot while the lake is not. Washington State Parks calls water below 70°F cold, says water below 60°F calls for caution, and warns that cold-water shock can begin immediately after an unexpected fall. It also says the shock occurs in the first three to five minutes, with swim failure possible within three to 30 minutes, and advises always wearing a life jacket.
Practical packing answer: a light jacket or sweater for the ride home and for cool lake evenings, which Day Trips From also recommends for Coeur d'Alene outings. If you are heading out in spring or early summer, see our guide to cold water boating.
Food and drinks for a boat day
Keep it simple and keep it one-handed. Scott's beach guide suggests a cooler or insulated tote with sandwiches or other finger foods, fruit, nuts, granola bars, and chips or pretzels.
A few habits make the cooler work better:
- Pre-chill drinks and fill the cooler with ice, not warm cans.
- Pack the food you will eat last on the bottom.
- Use cans or reusable bottles, never glass.
- Bring a bag for trash and a towel to dry the cooler before it goes back in the car.
We wrote a longer walkthrough on how to pack your cooler for a boat rental day. One rule belongs on the list too: alcohol limits apply on the water. In Washington the BUI limit is .08 for alcohol, and the rule covers non-motorized boats as well. Our alcohol rules guide for Coeur d'Alene explains how it affects your deposit.
Keeping phones, keys and wallets dry
A waterproof phone pouch and a small dry bag are the two cheapest pieces of insurance on the list. Local lake guidance suggests a dry bag for first-aid kit, whistle, keys, hat, jacket, sunscreen and snacks, plus a waterproof phone pouch.
To keep things straightforward:
- Put keys, wallet and ID in the dry bag, then clip the bag to the boat, not to you.
- Test the pouch with a paper towel inside before you trust it with a phone.
- Leave anything you cannot afford to lose in the locked car.
- Wipe salt, sunscreen and sand off your hands before touching the phone.
Extras for kids and family days
Children need the same list plus a few extras. Mercury Marine's family boating checklist adds child-sized life jackets, child and adult sunscreen, rash guards, kid-friendly drinks, easy-to-handle snacks and dry changes of clothes. It also notes that children may forget to drink while playing, so set a rule: everyone sips on the hour.
Add beach toys and a small towel per child. If you are planning a group celebration, booking the boat first lets you size the packing list to the headcount.
Packing for a rental day with us
A rental day needs less than a day with your own boat, because the safety equipment is covered. Here is what to add.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Needed to complete the rental |
| Damage deposit | $500 per jet ski, $1,000 per boat |
| Swimsuit and water shoes | Dry shorts under a shirt also work |
| Dry bag and waterproof phone pouch | Keeps phone and keys safe |
| Cooler with water | Hydration for everyone aboard |
| Dry change of clothes | Lake water is cold |
Leave the heavy gear behind. Wakeboards and tubes are $50 each as add-ons, so you do not have to own them. For a longer list built around personal watercraft, see what to bring on a jet ski rental day.
Speed rules also shape the day. Kootenai County sets a 5-mph limit within 200 feet of shorelines, docks, piers, structures or people in the water, so plan swim stops and picnic landings with that buffer in mind. If you are trailering or launching, our guide to choosing your launch first helps.
Our perspective
Most problems we see on rental days are not equipment problems. They are packing problems: no water, no dry layer, a phone that goes in the lake, or a group that arrives with a cooler full of glass. We would rather you spend your first ten minutes on the water enjoying it than sorting these out. Pack light, pack water, protect the phone, and let us handle the Yamaha watercraft and safety gear.
— Life is better on water.
Ready for your lake day
Jet ski rentals at Liberty Lake and Newman Lake are listed at $250 to $425, and an additional hour is $75. Boats, paddleboards and water toys are available too. Check Liberty Lake jet ski rentals or see all boat and jet ski rental prices to pick your day.
We offer pickup and limited delivery, so you can arrive with the bag packed and go straight to the water.
FAQ
What should I bring to the lake for a day trip?
Bring life jackets, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a swimsuit, towels, water, snacks, trash bags and a dry change of clothes. Add a waterproof phone pouch and a light jacket for the ride home.
What should I bring for a boat rental?
Bring photo ID, the damage deposit, sun protection, a cooler with water and food, and dry clothes. Check local rules first, since waterways may have extra restrictions.
How much water should I pack?
The National Park Service says to bring enough for the entire trip and to drink before you are thirsty. Pack extra if children are aboard.
Do I need to bring my own life jackets?
Not for our rentals, which include safety equipment. Everyone riding a jet ski or being towed must wear one, and children have age-based requirements.
Sources
- Exploring the Inland Northwest, one lake at a time
- Ultimate Spokane to Coeur d'Alene Day Trip
- What to Bring to the Beach, REI
- Beat the Heat, National Park Service
- What Do You Need for a Day at the Beach, Sharp HealthCare
- Beach Vacation Packing List, Scott
- Boating, Idaho Parks and Recreation
- Idaho Boating Laws
- Wear a Life Jacket, Washington State Parks
- Cold Water Safety, Washington State Parks
- Recreational Boating Safety Program, Washington State Parks
- Recreational Boating Laws and Regulations, Washington State Parks
- Kootenai County Title 6, Public Properties and Waterways
- What to Pack for a Day Boating on the Lake with Kids, Mercury Marine
- Book the Boat First: Austin Bachelorette Ideas