The air feels crisp, the mornings are misty, and the days are slipping into earlier evenings. Autumn has arrived on the West Coast, and while boating doesn’t stop when the seasons change, it does take on a different feel. Gone are the carefree tank tops and endless daylight hours; now it is about creating atmosphere, warming up with small indulgences, and layering comfort into everyday routines on board. To welcome the cozy season afloat, here is a carefully curated checklist of mostly Canadian finds that bring warmth and elegance to your boating life: Cozy Comforts: Your Autumn Boating Checklist.
Flameless LED Rechargeable Candles
My first and forever favourite: LED rechargeable candles. These flameless beauties flicker just like wax candles, but without the fire hazard, messy drips, or worry of leaving a flame unattended on board. They come with a charging cord, last for hours, and look chic in lanterns or hurricane glasses. They even have a function to come on at the same time each evening for 2 or 4 hours. They instantly elevate a quiet evening in the salon or a dockside dinner party without adding risk or clutter.
Mine last for weeks on a charge by using the auto on/off option. I set them to come on at the same time every evening and they automatically turn off four hours later.
A Comforting Brew
Cool mornings on the boat call for something more indulgent than drip coffee. For an instant treat that feels café-worthy, I love Nescafé Gold Cappuccino Sachets, widely available across Canada. Just add hot water and you have a creamy, frothy cup that feels like a little luxury as you sip on deck and watch the mist lift off the water. It is the perfect companion for early passages or lazy mornings wrapped in a blanket.
When the mornings turn crisp and the cabin windows fog, Nescafé coffee sachets make it easy to brew a comforting cup without fuss. Just add hot water and inhale that familiar aroma — it’s the perfect cozy companion for winter cruising. So many flavours!!
Chocolate Coconut Sea Salt Granola
Breakfast becomes an indulgence with Flaked Foods Chocolate Coconut Sea Salt Granola, sold at the Crescent Beach Marina Provisions Store. It is refined sugar-free and packed with superfood seeds and grains, but the real draw is its addictive salty-sweet chocolate crunch. I eat it by the handful straight from the bag, sprinkle it on yogurt, or pair it with a glass of red wine at sunset. This one deserves a permanent spot in your galley pantry.
Preserves from SaltSpring Kitchen Co.
Every galley needs a touch of gourmet, and SaltSpring Kitchen Co. delivers just that with their small-batch jams, preserves, and hot sauces. Their Peach & Sage jam transforms a simple cheese board into something memorable, while the Hot Mango Sauce adds a kick to grilled seafood. Packaged beautifully and bursting with flavour, they make excellent hostess gifts or dockside treats to share with friends. I always keep a few jars tucked into a locker for when I want something special without running to shore.
The Cozy Throw Blanket
No boat is complete in autumn without a blanket to curl up in. A favourite of mine is the Simons Faux Fur Throw from Quebec-based retailer Simons. Available in elegant neutrals like ivory or soft grey, it feels indulgent yet packs away neatly. Draped over the back of a settee, it instantly adds style, and when the air cools in the evening, it is exactly what you want to wrap yourself in with a book or a movie.
Merino Wool Socks
Slip into a pair of Kootenay Sock Co.’s ultimate West Coast socks. From the Castlegar father-daughter duo who understand it’s hard to enjoy the outdoors with cold feet. Lightweight, breathable, and warm, they are the definition of understated luxury. Perfect for lounging in the salon, padding around the cabin, or tucking into boots for a brisk walk ashore, they are the kind of small indulgence that makes a big difference during the cozy season.
A Scented Touch Without a Flame
Since real candles are not boat-friendly, I like to add a subtle scent with a Waterless Rechargeable Diffuser. This diffuser works with most small essential oil bottles, so that you can choose the fragrance. You can also choose the fragrance amount and the intervals for turning it on and off. It quietly transforms the atmosphere and pairs beautifully with the flicker of LED candles.
Enhance your boat’s ambiance with the Essential Oil Diffuser—a waterless, rechargeable, and cordless diffuser with customizable settings, long battery life, and a sleek design for effortless aromatherapy anywhere! 🚤✨🌿
Slip-On Slippers with a Rubber Bottom
Cold decks and wet docks are a true test for a pair of slippers, especially when you have to go from inside to outside and back. The Dearfoams Fireside Collection offers slip-on shearling-lined slippers with sturdy rubber soles, perfect for padding around the cabin and stepping onto the deck without worrying about damp feet. They are cozy enough to wear all evening and practical enough for quick trips outside, a small luxury that feels like a necessity once autumn arrives on the water.
A hard plastic non-skid bottom keeps your feet dry if you have to step out onto the back deck.
Beautiful Playing Cards
Longer nights mean more time for games, and a deck of cards is essential. Instead of something generic, elevate the experience with Anja Jane’s “A Deck of Wander – Spectacular Hikes Around Southern BC”. A unique pack of playing cards inspired by Anja Jane’s many steps around British Columbia. Each card is hand-illustrated with joyful drawings, short descriptions, and symbols representing distance, elevation, and difficulty rating. Hikes included on the cards range from: Sunshine Coast Trail, Three Brothers Mountain, Golden Ears, Dogtooth Traverse, Seymour Mountain, Cypress, Grouse Grind, North Coast Trail, Stanley Park and many more.
Wrapping It All Up
What I love about this checklist is that every item adds warmth and pleasure without adding clutter. As boaters, we don’t have room for “stuff.” Everything has to earn its place, and these products do just that. Flameless candles and diffusers create atmosphere. Gourmet granola and preserves are consumable luxuries. Socks, slippers, and blankets provide comfort that is both practical and indulgent. Even a deck of cards is timeless, small, and endlessly useful.
As the days shorten and the air turns crisp, think of these touches as a way to extend your boating season into the heart of autumn. With good food, warm textures, and carefully chosen luxuries from Canadian makers, your boat becomes more than a vessel. It becomes a retreat. And really, an afternoon on board with good friends, a cozy blanket, and a glass of wine is as good as it gets.
