Your gear depends upon the length of paddle, season, and  weather conditions. Besides the obvious (kayak & paddle), you'll need to bring Clothing, Lunch , and Safety items. Trip co/leaders need additional gear in case a participants forgets something. You'll want to include a checklist (or this link) with your poop sheet so they don't forget something important.  

NOTES:

1- Adjust your PFD snuggly so when one pulls upwards on shoulder straps, the jacket does not move.
2- Carry 2-3 Liters of water per day, depending on season and length of paddle. You will drink more if the container is stored on the deck rather than behind your seat.  
3- Cameras and binoculars don't mix with salt water well. Best to leave these home or bring waterproof disposable camera instead.

OVERNIGHT EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST 

Camping on the coast is a special treat that allows more time to absorb the sounds and sights of the ocean and coast. Campers need to be more prepared for changing winds and tides as well as have good navigation skills. Fog in the morning can occurr in any season in New England, particularly the Maine coast. We also need to minimize our impact on the environment by carrying out human waste, building fires in restricted sites, and walking cautiously around mossy or sensitive areas.MITA (Maine Islands Trails Association) has an excellent stewarship standard for minimizing environmental impact.

NOTES:

1- Personal bag is a Gallon-size, freezer Ziplock bag containing 2-3 quart-size Ziplock bags and 2-3 single sheets of newspaper.  Thank you Jim Shaffer of MITA for describing this simple and efficient method for carrying out human waste.
2- Water is typically not available at coastal campgrounds. Each person will need an additional 2 liters of water per night in addition to the 2-3 liters needed during the day. Water stores conveniently in 2 liter soda bottles.
3- Food can be divided among the group for packing, then recombined into a food bag in the kitchen. This bag should be hung up to keep racoons out.
4- All campers preparing food need to wash hands beforehand. Sea water is fine for cleaning and rinsing of dishes.

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CLOTHING  CHECKLIST 
Kayaking is a water sport, so expect to get wet. This can be refreshing in the middle of summer, but not so comfortable in November. But a friend once told me, "comfort is purely a function of your equipment". In other words, the proper clothes can make a November paddle quite enjoyable. First, discard all thoughts of cotton. If you don't have polypropelene underware, then put this on your list to purchase. Polypropelene & pile tops & bottoms are available in various thicknesses depending on the water temperatures and weather conditions. A paddle jacket is a must for early or late season paddling. This is a waterproof, nylon jacket with neck and wrist adjustments to keep you dry. It is always advised to bring extra poly-pro top and paddle jacket always and stow in your hatch just in case conditions are not ideal. I found that a pile vest is great for keeping your core warm while not constricting your arms for paddling. Another recent discovery is a material called BodyGlide, which prevents chafing and blisters around your shoulders and PFD.
Footware is an important item worth mention. Your feet will get wet on entry and exit, yet they need to stay warm enclosed inside the kayak. You also need to walk over rocks and barnicles in cold water. Solutions include neoprene booties, neoprene socks with sandals, or wool socks and water shoes. You need something that combines warmth in water with good treads that grip over slimy rocks. This is one of the most challenging pieces of gear you will find in this list.

Warm Weather	Cold Weather
short sleeve poly top	long sleeve, medium weight poly top & bottoms
Swim suit	poly underware, bra
sandals or water shoes	paddle jacket
	booties
	pile vest or long sleeve top
	gloves (neoprene) or poggies
	pile or wool hat