BEST FOOD & DRINKS FOR BOAT PARTIES | TIDE UP BOAT RENTALS
Best Food & Drinks for Boat Parties
What to bring (and what to avoid) for the perfect day on the water. Snacks, drinks, and pro tips included!
Planning your boat party menu? The right food and drinks can make or break your lake day. This guide covers everything from easy snacks to batch cocktails, plus crucial tips on what NOT to bring on a boat.
Food on a boat is different than food at home. You’re dealing with heat, no refrigeration, limited space, motion, and the fact that everyone’s hands are wet half the time. The key is choosing items that are easy to eat, won’t spoil quickly, and don’t create a mess.
We’ve helped hundreds of groups plan perfect boat days on Lake Travis and Lake Austin. Here’s what we’ve learned about boat party food and drinks.
Best Snacks for Boat Parties
Top Boat-Friendly Snacks
Chips & Guac/Salsa
Classic boat snack. Keep dips in sealed containers with ice.
Cheese & Crackers
Pre-slice cheese. Hard cheeses last longer than soft.
Fresh Fruit
Grapes, berries, melon chunks. Pre-cut and ready to eat.
Veggie Tray
Carrots, cucumbers, peppers with hummus. Refreshing!
Pretzels
Salt cravings are real on hot days. Can’t go wrong.
Trail Mix / Nuts
High energy, no prep, travels well. Avoid chocolate chips.
Cold Pizza
Seriously! Cold pizza is a boat party hero. Easy to eat.
Cucumber Slices
Light, hydrating, refreshing. Add tajin for extra flavor.
Boat-Friendly Meals & Sandwiches
Easy Boat Meals
Pre-Made Sandwiches
Make ahead, wrap individually. Skip mayo, use mustard.
Wraps / Pinwheels
Easier to eat than sandwiches. Cut into bite-size portions.
Meat & Cheese Roll-Ups
Low carb option. Roll salami around cheese sticks.
Pasta Salad (Oil-Based)
Skip mayo dressing. Italian-style holds up better.
Pre-Built Tacos
Hard shell tacos in a container. Fun and easy!
Pita & Hummus
Stuff pitas with veggies and hummus. No utensils needed.
💡 Pro Tip: Separate Coolers
Use one cooler for drinks (gets opened constantly) and another for food (stays closed and colder). This simple trick keeps your food safe all day. Label them clearly!
Best Drinks for Boat Parties
Staying hydrated is crucial on the water, but let’s be real – most people want more than water on a boat party. Here’s how to handle the drink situation:
Boat Party Drink Guide
Water (ESSENTIAL)
1 gallon per person minimum. More in summer. Non-negotiable!
Beer (Cans Only)
Light beers are popular. No glass bottles on boats!
Hard Seltzers
White Claw, Truly, etc. Hydrating-ish and refreshing.
Canned Cocktails
Ranch Water, margaritas, etc. No mixing required.
Batched Cocktails
Pre-mix in jugs. Margaritas, punch, sangria work great.
Sodas & Mixers
For mixed drinks or non-drinkers. Keep variety.
Easy Batch Cocktails for Boats
🍹 Lake Margarita
Ingredients (serves 8-10)
- 2 cups tequila
- 1 cup triple sec
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- ½ cup agave or simple syrup
- 2 cups water
🍷 Boat Sangria
Ingredients (serves 8-10)
- 2 bottles red or white wine
- 1 cup brandy
- ½ cup orange liqueur
- 2 cups fruit juice
- Cut fruit (oranges, berries)
🤠 Ranch Water
Ingredients (per drink)
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Topo Chico (or sparkling water)
- Ice
- Lime wedge
Ready to Party on the Lake?
Now that you’ve got the menu planned, book your boat! Our captained rentals let you focus on enjoying the food and fun.
What NOT to Bring on a Boat
Some foods and drinks are boat party disasters. Learn from others’ mistakes:
✅ Boat-Friendly
- ✓ Pre-made sandwiches (no mayo)
- ✓ Hard cheeses
- ✓ Fresh whole fruits
- ✓ Chips and dips in containers
- ✓ Canned drinks
- ✓ Finger foods
- ✓ Foods that don’t need heating
- ✓ Items in waterproof containers
❌ Skip These
- ✗ Mayo-based salads
- ✗ Glass bottles/containers
- ✗ Chocolate (melts everywhere)
- ✗ Messy BBQ/saucy foods
- ✗ Foods needing utensils
- ✗ Raw meat/sushi
- ✗ Anything needing heating
- ✗ Powdery chips (get everywhere)
How to Keep Food Cold All Day
🧊 Cooler Pro Tips
Pre-Chill Everything
Put ice in your cooler the night before. Chill all drinks and food before packing.
Use Block Ice
Block ice on the bottom lasts way longer than cubes. Use cubes on top.
Two Coolers Rule
One for drinks (opened constantly), one for food (stays sealed and cold).
Keep in Shade
Direct sun destroys ice fast. Keep coolers under shade or covered.
Fill Empty Space
A full cooler stays cold longer. Fill gaps with ice or frozen water bottles.
Waterproof Containers
Put food in sealed containers so melting ice doesn’t soak everything.
Quick Shopping List
Boat Party Essentials Checklist
Boat Party Food & Drink FAQs
The best boat party snacks are non-messy, don’t require utensils, and won’t spoil in heat. Top choices include: chips and salsa/guac (in containers), cheese and crackers, fruit (grapes, berries, melon), veggie trays with hummus, trail mix, pretzels, and pre-made sandwiches or wraps.
Bring plenty of water (1 gallon per person), then add your preferred beverages: beer, seltzers, and canned cocktails are popular. For mixed drinks, prep batched cocktails in jugs. Bring 2x more ice than you think you need. Always use cans, not glass, on boats.
Avoid these on boats: mayo-based salads that spoil quickly, anything in glass containers, messy BBQ or saucy foods, foods requiring utensils, anything that needs heating, chocolate (melts everywhere), and anything with shells or bones that create lots of trash.
Use separate coolers for food and drinks (the drink cooler gets opened constantly). Pre-chill your cooler with ice the night before. Use block ice on the bottom (lasts longer) with cubed ice on top. Keep coolers out of direct sun and limit opening them. Pack food in waterproof containers.
Great food and drinks make a boat party unforgettable. Keep it simple, keep it cold, and focus on enjoying your time on the water. Book your boat with Tide Up and we’ll handle the rest!