Memorial Day weekend is more than just a long weekend for boaters. It’s the unofficial start of summer.
It’s the first big raft-up of the season. The first sandbar trip. The first early-morning fishing run followed by a full day in the sun with friends, music, and cold drinks on the water.
And if you’ve spent enough time boating, you already know: the difference between an amazing day and a stressful one usually comes down to preparation.
The best boat days feel effortless because everything is handled before you leave the dock.
So whether you’re planning a sunrise fishing trip, a lazy cruise through the Intracoastal, or an all-day sandbar hangout, here’s everything you need for the perfect Memorial Day boat trip.
Before the coolers are packed and the routes are planned, it’s also worth remembering what Memorial Day is really about. It’s a day to honor the men and women who gave their lives while serving our country. As we spend the long weekend with family and friends on the water, taking a moment to recognize that sacrifice adds meaning to the freedom we get to enjoy.
Download Argo to start planning your perfect trip.
Start With a Game Plan
Holiday weekends on the water can get chaotic fast.
Boat ramps are crowded. Marinas fill up early. Fuel docks have lines. Popular anchorages get packed by noon.
The easiest way to avoid stress is to plan ahead before you even leave the house.
A few things worth checking the night before include (that Argo can help with!):
- Weather and wind conditions
- Fuel levels
- Marina availability
- Route planning
- Shared locations with friends
- Ice and food supplies
- Safety equipment
- Charging cables and portable batteries
It sounds simple, but these small details are what separate smooth boat days from frustrating ones.
Use Argo to Plan the Day
If you’re boating with multiple friends or coordinating several boats, communication can turn into a mess quickly.
“Where are you guys anchored?”
“Which island are we going to?”
“Can you send the pin again?”
“Are we taking the north or south route?”
This is where Argo makes Memorial Day weekends dramatically easier.
With Argo, you can:
- Plan and save routes
- Share your route with friends
- Drop pins for meetup spots
- Coordinate arrivals in real time
- Navigate unfamiliar waterways more confidently
Instead of juggling screenshots and group texts, everyone stays connected on the same route.
And for Memorial Day weekend, Argo Premium is 25% off.
If you’re spending multiple days on the water this summer, it’s one of those upgrades that immediately makes boating simpler.
Build the Perfect Boat Day Playlist
Every perfect boat day has a soundtrack.
You can have crystal-clear water, perfect weather, and a full cooler, but if someone connects to the speaker and starts playing the wrong music, the vibe changes instantly.
The ideal Memorial Day playlist needs:
- Easygoing summer music
- High-energy songs for cruising
- Good background music for anchoring
- A few classics everyone knows
This playlist checks all the boxes. Throw it on during sunrise idle-out, and the day already feels like summer.
Don’t Forget the Essentials
Some boat-day mistakes only happen once.
Forgetting towels. Not bringing enough sunscreen. Underestimating how hungry everyone gets after swimming all day. Running out of ice halfway through the afternoon.
Here’s what should absolutely be on your Memorial Day packing list.
Sunscreen: Bring More Than You Think You Need
Boat sun hits differently.
The combination of direct sunlight and reflection off the water means people burn faster than they expect, even on cloudy days.
Bring:
- Spray sunscreen
- Face sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
And reapply constantly.
Nobody enjoys the second half of the weekend looking like a lobster.
Boat-Friendly Towels
Not all towels are great for boating.
Large, heavy towels stay wet forever and take up half the storage space onboard.
That’s why so many boaters use Sand Cloud towels. They’re:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Quick-drying
- Easy to pack
- Perfect for boats and beach days
Plus, they’re easy to shake sand off before getting back on board.
Use code SC20 for 20% off your next order from Sand Cloud.
Snacks: The Most Important Part of the Trip
People always underestimate boat hunger.
Swimming, sun, saltwater, and drinking all day somehow make everyone twice as hungry as normal.
A good Memorial Day boat spread usually includes:
- Sandwiches or wraps
- Chips and dips
- Fresh fruit
- Pickles
- Beef jerky
- Protein bars
- Pasta salad
- Waters and electrolytes
- Ice-cold sodas
- Plenty of ice
Pro tip: bring more water than alcohol.
Find Somewhere to Dock Before Everyone Else Does
Holiday weekends make dock space disappear quickly.
If you’re planning to stop for lunch, dock at a marina, or spend the night somewhere popular, finding available space at the last minute can become impossible.
A little dockage planning can save you a lot of stress once you’re already out on the water.
Dockshare
Dockshare is one of the best tools for finding places to dock during busy weekends.
It’s especially useful if you:
- Want to stop for dinner
- Need transient dockage
- Are planning an overnight trip
- Want flexibility during your route
Having a dock lined up ahead of time removes a huge amount of stress from the day.
Check out this guide or this video to understand how to use Dockshare within Argo.
Florida Boaters: Check Out SlipRezi
If you’re boating in Florida, SlipRezi is worth checking out, too.
Florida marinas get packed during Memorial Day weekend, especially in places like:
- Miami
- Tampa
- Jupiter
- Destin
- The Keys
- Naples
- Fort Lauderdale
SlipRezi helps with:
- Marina reservations
- Slip availability
- Booking ahead during peak weekends
If you’ve ever spent an hour calling marinas trying to find somewhere to tie up, you already understand why this matters.
Read this article to understand how to use SlipRezi within Argo.
Make This Summer Easier
The best Memorial Day boat trips always seem simple from the outside.
Good weather. Good people. Good music. No stress.
But usually, those perfect days happen because somebody planned.
Coordinate your routes. Share pins with friends. Reserve dock space early. Pack more sunscreen. Bring more snacks than you think you need.
And if you’re boating all summer long, now’s the perfect time to upgrade. Argo Premium is 25% off for Memorial Day.
