The best boat snacks are easy to pack, simple to eat and unlikely to melt or spill. Pretzels, trail mix, granola bars, jerky and dried fruit work well without a cooler, while wraps, cut fruit, vegetables and cheese are good choices when you can keep them chilled. Below are 25 practical boat snack ideas, including healthy options, food for kids and more filling choices for a full day on the water.
How to Keep Boat Snacks Safe in the Heat
Perishable foods such as tuna, deli meat, cheese, dips, cut fruit and prepared salads need to stay at 40°F (4°C) or below. Pack them in an insulated cooler with plenty of ice or frozen gel packs, and remove only what you are ready to eat. If you cannot keep food reliably cold, choose shelf-stable snacks such as pretzels, trail mix, granola bars, jerky and dried fruit.
Here's Our Favorite boat snack ideas
1. Salted Pretzels
Perfectly crunchy with just the right salty twist, pretzels are a go-to for any snack worthy occasion. If you’re expecting a large group, then you might want to consider going big with a large tub of pretzels for communal snacking. Then again, there are smaller individually packed options for easy eating just when you feel like it.
2. Popcorn
Just like the staple pretzel, popcorn is a light, easy snack that’s perfect for boating. Available in a range of flavors, popcorn can be prepared before you set sail. But if you want it to be extra fresh, you can get a portable popcorn machine to prep a fresh batch while you’re on board.
3. Trail Mix
An outdoor snacking staple, trail mix offers the perfect combination of crunchy, chewy, salty, and sweet. Of course, every mix is different, so it depends on what you’re looking for. Energy boosting options can give you an extra push for extended boating, while others focus more on pleasing your palate with candied chocolate in the mix.
For a boat trip, individual trail mix packs are particularly handy because they’re easy to pass around and there’s less chance of one large bag spilling all over the deck.
4. Granola Bars
Packed with energy giving grains, granola bars can be a wonderful choice for easy yet satisfying snacking. Available in both chewy and crunchy varieties, they’re easy to pack, hand out and eat without utensils.
5. Cookies
There’s no way you can go wrong with a pack of cookies. Perfect for boating with kids, cookies can be purchased in variety boxes to cater to everyone’s taste. If you’re thinking of stocking up though, a bunch of cookies in a tub might be a more economical choice.
6. Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket are easy to serve without plates or utensils, making them a practical snack for a boat trip. Prepare them before you leave and keep them chilled in the cooler until you’re ready to eat.
7. Chips and Dip
Crunchy, salty chips dipped in creamy, savory dip - it’s a guaranteed hit. But to make sure your dip and chips retain their freshness, you might want to consider copping a proper container to keep things airtight and protected so they stay fresh and delicious even hours into your trip.
8. Sliced Veggies
An effortless boat food appetizer, sliced veggies aren’t only healthy, but they can also be especially tasty. That’s if you manage to get the right dip to complement the crunchy slices. Set it all out in a party platter for communal enjoyment and keep things fresh and crunchy with an airtight lid.
9. Chocolate Fondue
Feeling fancy? A portable fondue machine lets you enjoy your favorite chocolate dipped fruit, cheese, and biscuits while you’re on your pontoon. Perfect for romantic boat trips on a moonlit lake, or for satisfying a group of rowdy kids, a fondue can be a creative way to fill up hungry tummies.
10. Tuna Sandwiches
For a more filling snack, there’s no beating a tuna sandwich. But because they can get pretty soggy after a while, you might want to consider do-it-yourself style servings. Prepare some fresh bread and a separate container for tuna spread that your guests can help themselves to so you don’t have to worry about soggy sandwiches.
11. Beef Jerky
If you’re in the mood for something a little more savory, then there’s no way you can go wrong with jerky. With an extended shelf life, beef jerky can be kept in bulk without having to worry about when you should consume everything before they go bad.
12. Salads
A fresh salad can be a refreshing boat snack that’s both tasty and healthy. But because it can be messy to serve from a large bowl, you might want to consider individual salad cups for added convenience. Some choices even come with a separate dressing holder and fork. This is great summer boat food.
13. Steak Wraps
Kind of like a burrito, a steak wrap is a filling boat snack that can keep you fueled for hours. Just fill a soft tortilla with steak bits and your favorite veggies, then roll it up and wrap it in foil for easy yet satisfying snacking.
If you're thinking of cooking the steak onboard you may want to check out our guide to buying the best pontoon boat grills.
14. Dried Fruit
Sweet and chewy, dried fruit can give you an extra jolt of energy and satisfy your craving for something sugary. There are lots of different options available, but it never hurt to mix them together with crunchy nuts or grains to create your own DIY pseudo trail mix.
15. Nachos
A crowd favorite, nachos are a guaranteed hit for diners of all ages. But because it can get pretty competitive if you’re sharing from a single bowl, it might be better to pack along individual nacho trays that you can use to hand out single servings to your guests.
16. Seaweed
This perfectly salty treat can make you feel right at home in the middle of the water. Delicious and delicately light, seaweed can get you munching and snacking for hours on end. What’s more, this versatile choice can also work great as a complementary addition for many of the other snacks you have on board.
Check out Jayone Seaweed which is a great choice.
17. Pull Apart Bread
(@chompmom)If you’ve got time to make preparations at home before the big day, pull apart bread can be a wonderful choice. Cheesy recipes with lots of herbs and spices are guaranteed crowd pleasers. Just take the baking tin with you and cover it with foil to keep the bread fresh out of the oven.
18. Cheese and Crackers
As one of the best food to bring on a boat ride, cheese and crackers is a tried and trusted staple that’s sure to satisfy anyone and everyone. It’s up to you whether you want to take it easy with pre-packaged picks, or if you want to go the extra mile with a separate cheese dip and select crackers.
19. Cold Cuts and Buns
For impromptu pontoon trips that don’t give you a lot of prep time, cold cuts and buns should provide satisfying snacking without the stress. Pack soft sandwich rolls, sliced meat and cheese separately so everyone can assemble their own.
20. Fruit Skewers
Some people don’t like taking fruit on a boat ride because of the tedious peeling and the seeds. But preparing skewers at home before the trip can make fruit easier to eat on board. Grapes, pineapple chunks, apples, and kiwi are all great choices for creating the perfect fruit kebab.
21. Individual Spaghetti Portions
Who doesn’t love spaghetti? While serving pasta on a boat can be a great way to fill up during the trip, it can get pretty messy.
To make it easier to handle, pack the spaghetti in individual portions in lightweight, leakproof containers and keep them chilled until you’re ready to eat.
22. Mini Grilled Cheese
A fun bite-sized snack, mini grilled cheese sandwiches appeal to both kids and adults. Prepare them as you would a regular grilled cheese sandwich, then slice them up as the cheese cools down. YYou could also warm them on the boat with the right appliance for the job.
23. Cake in a Jar
For a punch of sweetness after a filling savory treat, a cake in a jar makes a convenient choice. Fill up a bunch of shatter-resistant plastic jars with cake crumbs, frosting, strawberries, cherries, sprinkles, and cereal, and seal them off to keep them fresh and moist when you reach the shore.
24. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Part of the fun of eating corn is chewing it off of the cob. But if you’re not keen on getting your fingers all buttery while you’re on the boat, then a set of cob skewers can keep your hands grease-free while you munch and chew away.
Check out these OXO Good Grips.
25. No Bake Energy Balls
Combining oats, flaxseed, shredded coconut, peanut butter and chocolate chips, these sticky no-bake balls provide an extra shot of energy in small, bite-sized morsels. Keep them chilled in a cooler so they stay firm and easy to eat.
The Best Boat Snacks for a Day on the Water
There’s no need to keep asking what food to bring on a boat trip. Try to skip the usual fare and explore other options when it comes to the packed snacks for your next boating trip. Get creative and explore these options to give your family and friends a memorable day that’s full of fun, frolic, and fantastic food.
