Andrew Pace
If you're going on a boat trip, you might be wondering what to do if nature calls. While some boats have toilets, others don't, and even if they do, you might not know how they work or where the waste goes. Some people suggest pooping over the side of the boat, but this isn't always practical or hygienic. So, what are the options for dealing with poop on a boat?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to do if you need to poop on a boat | Quietly go where people aren't looking and poop over the railing |
| Jump in the water and poop underwater, then swim to the other side of the boat | |
| Go to the toilet before you get on the boat | |
| Take toilet paper and biodegradable wet wipes with you | |
| Dig a small hole with a stick near a tree and poop in the hole | |
| Use a shoreside bathroom facility or a porta potty |
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What You'll Learn
What to do if there's no bathroom on the boat
If you're on a boat and nature calls, you might be wondering where you can go to the toilet. If there's no bathroom on the boat, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, check if you're near any shoreside bathroom facilities or a porta-potty. In some places, like the Florida Keys, there is a 12-mile distance requirement for sewage overboard from recreational boats, so there may be ready access to toilet facilities on shore. If you're not near any shoreside facilities, you could try to hold it until you get to a boat gas station, as many of these have restrooms. If you're going to be out on the water for a while and won't have access to any facilities, it's a good idea to eat a healthy dinner the night before and load up on fibre and vegetables. Make sure to poop and shower as close to your departure as possible. If you're really desperate and there's no other option, you could try to discreetly poop underwater and then swim to the other side of the boat. Alternatively, find a private spot where no one is looking and poop over the railing. Remember to always dispose of your waste properly and consider taking biodegradable wet wipes and toilet paper with you in separate ziplock bags.
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How to use a boat's toilet
Using a boat's toilet can be a daunting prospect, especially if you're not used to being out on the water. The first thing to remember is that it's completely normal to need to go to the toilet when you're on a boat, and there are a few different ways to go about it.
If you're on a larger boat, it's likely that there will be a proper toilet on board. In this case, it's important to familiarise yourself with the facilities before you need to use them. Ask the host or captain to show you how the toilet works, including whether it's a wet or dry bowl flush, and where the toilet paper goes.
If you're on a smaller boat or one that doesn't have a proper toilet, you may need to get creative. Some people choose to quietly go over the side of the boat where no one is looking, or ask others to look away and give their apologies. If you're going to be near places with restrooms, such as boat gas stations or beaches, you can plan your trip accordingly and use the facilities on shore.
It's also important to consider what to do with your waste. If you're using a boat's toilet, the waste will need to be disposed of properly. This usually means dumping it at shoreside bathroom facilities or a porta-potty, rather than directly into the ocean. In some places, there may be specific regulations around how far from shore you need to be to dispose of sewage from recreational boats.
Finally, if you're going to be in a remote area with no access to restrooms, it's a good idea to bring toilet paper and biodegradable wet wipes in separate ziplock bags. You can dig a small hole near a tree and do your business there, being sure to bury it afterwards.
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Where to dispose of waste
When you poop on a boat, the waste has to be disposed of eventually. It's not hazardous waste, but it is still waste. If you're on a small boat, you may be able to use the facilities at a boat gas station or a beach. If you're going way out into the wilderness, you'll need to take toilet paper and biodegradable wet wipes in separate ziplock freezer bags, dig a small hole with a stick near a tree, do a wall sit against the tree and poop in the hole. If you're on a larger boat, you'll need to use the boat's toilet. The waste from the toilet is stored in a holding tank, and then dumped at shoreside bathroom facilities, or even a porta potty. In places like the Florida Keys, where there's a 12-mile distance required for any sewage overboard from recreational boats, there is ready access on shore to toilet or porta-potty facilities to dump your poop.
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What to do if you're going to be far from a bathroom
If you're going to be far from a bathroom, there are a few things you can do to prepare. Firstly, eat a good dinner the night before and load up on fibre and vegetables. Make sure you poop and shower as close to your departure as possible. If you're going to be near places with restrooms, such as boat gas stations or beaches, you can use those facilities. If you're going way out into nature, take toilet paper and biodegradable wet wipes in separate ziplock freezer bags. Dig a small hole with a stick near a tree, do a wall sit against the tree, and poop in the hole. If you're on a boat, you can quietly go where people aren't looking and poop over the railing, or ask people to look the other way and give your apologies. Remember, no one has ever not been in an embarrassing situation when it comes to pooping on a boat!
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What to do if you're near a bathroom
If you're near a bathroom, you should be fine. Many boat gas stations have restrooms, and many beaches are near places with restrooms. If you're going to be near a bathroom, it's a good idea to eat a good dinner before boat day, loading up on fibre and vegetables. Poop and shower as close to your departure as possible the next day.
If you're on a boat with a bathroom, it's a good idea to get a tutorial on best practices with the boat's toilet. Where does the toilet paper go (or not go)? Is it a wet or dry bowl flush?
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Frequently asked questions
If you're on a boat with a toilet, you should use that. If there is no toilet, you could try to hold it until you reach a gas station or beach with a restroom. If you're in the middle of a lake, you could try to poop discreetly over the side of the boat.
If the boat has a toilet, the waste will be stored in a holding tank until it can be dumped at shoreside bathroom facilities or a porta-potty.
If you're near the shore, you could try to swim to a restroom. If you're in the middle of a lake, you could try to poop discreetly over the side of the boat.
