Ready to trade in your tent for a yurt and your sleeping bag for a cozy bed? Packing for a remote yurt glamping trip at Orca Island Cabins just got a whole lot easier!
Glamping in a yurt blends rustic adventure with modern comfort. Unlike camping, you won’t need a tent or sleeping bag, but thoughtful packing makes all the difference. Bring the right essentials, skip the extras, and enjoy a stress-free stay at Orca Island Cabins. If you’re staying at another remote glamping destination, we recommend checking with them for specific packing guidelines—but if you’re planning a stay with us, this is the ultimate guide, so keep reading!
Packing Guidelines & Luggage Restrictions (Orca Island Cabins-Specific Info)
Before we dive into what to bring, here are a few important guidelines to ensure a smooth check-in:
- Luggage Weight Limit: Keep each bag under 50 lbs so our staff can assist you.
- No Large Coolers Allowed: We provide a 48-qt cooler in each yurt and will give you insulated bags at check-in for transporting perishable food.
- Best Bags for Travel: Backpacks and duffel bags are easier to manage than hard-shell suitcases.
- Secure Parking & Storage: The municipal parking lot where guests leave their cars overnight is patrolled and safe. You can consolidate your luggage and leave any excess behind in your vehicle, ensuring a lighter, more manageable load for your trip.
Clothing & Footwear
- Layering is key – island weather can change quickly.
- Recommended clothing:
- Lightweight, moisture-wicking base layers
- Warm fleece or down jacket for chilly nights
- Waterproof rain jacket & quick-dry pants
- Cozy loungewear for relaxing inside the yurt
- Warm hats or beanies
- Footwear options:
- Hiking boots for exploring trails, extra points if they’re waterproof!
- Slip-on shoes for easy movement around your yurt
Note: Each yurt is equipped with a gas furnace to keep things warm and toasty. If any of your clothing or footwear gets wet during your adventures, no worries—it’s all part of the experience! You can hang wet items inside your yurt overnight or place your shoes next to the furnace, and they should be dry by morning.
Toiletries & Personal Care (What’s Provided vs. What to Bring)
Orca Island Cabins provides many essentials, so you can pack light.
✅ Provided: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, towels, toilet paper, menstrual products, bug spray
⭕ What to Bring: Personal skincare items, toothbrush/toothpaste/floss, sunscreen/lotion, lip balm, deodorant
Note: While Alaska is known for mosquitoes, our coastal location keeps them from being a major issue. We also do not allow DEET on the island, but we provide DEET-free bug spray in your yurt for your convenience.
We run mainly off solar power here at Orca Island Cabins, so high-voltage electronics like hair dryers can drain our batteries quickly. Embrace the ruggedness of island life and leave your hair dryer at home to help us conserve energy.
Food & Cooking Supplies (No Need to Bring Extra Gear!)
Your yurt comes fully stocked with everything you need to prepare meals.
✅ Provided:
- Full kitchen with a 4-burner stove, oven, and sink
- Sponges and dish soap
- Pots, pans, dishes, silverware, cutting board
- Drip coffee maker, tea kettle, coffee, tea bags, sugar, salt & pepper, olive oil, foil
- Barbecue (propane) on your private balcony
⭕ What to Bring:
- Groceries (packed in lightweight bags for transport, we will transfer them to cooler bags before heading to the island)
- Ice (there is a location where you can purchase ice directly next to where we ask guests to meet us on check-in day)
- Specialty spices or condiments (if desired, we also sell some local brands in our onsite gallery space)
- Favorite snacks
Note: For tips on meal prep and planning for your stay at Orca Island Cabins, check out our previous blog post on meal prep to make your culinary experience even easier!
Entertainment & Activities
Orca Island Cabins is an off-grid experience, so come prepared to unplug and enjoy nature.
✅ Provided:
- Board games
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
- Hand-picked books in your yurt and several more in our gallery space
- Playing cards
⭕ What to Bring:
- Journal, camera
- Personal entertainment (if desired – WiFi is not available)
Note: For more information on the exciting outdoor activities we offer like sea kayaking, SUP boarding, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, and exploring our gallery space, check out our Activities Page to plan your adventure!
Safety Essentials
While yurts offer more comfort than camping, it’s always good to be prepared.
- Lamps: Each yurt is equipped with lamps for nighttime lighting, as it can still get dark during the early and late summer months.
- First Aid Kits: Every yurt is stocked with a first aid kit, including band-aids, antiseptic, and basic supplies. We also keep more extensive kits on hand, and our staff is trained to respond quickly to any emergency.
- AEDs & Communication: We have AEDs on-site, and our overnight staff can communicate with the mainland in case of emergency.
Note: If you have a power bank, we recommend bringing it to help charge your devices without putting extra strain on our solar-powered systems.
What You Don’t Need to Bring (Glamping vs. Camping)
Unlike traditional camping, you don’t need to bring:
❌ Sleeping bags, pillows, blankets (all linens provided)
❌ Coolers (we provide a 48-qt cooler per yurt)
❌ Cooking gear (fully stocked kitchen & grill included)
Final Packing Tips & Conclusion
- Check the weather forecast before packing.
- Pack light and follow luggage guidelines to ensure smooth transport to your yurt.
- Enjoy a hassle-free, luxurious glamping experience in the remote beauty of Orca Island Cabins!
