For those planning a charter boat trip in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), I have compiled all the information you may need to provision your boat. This post covers the different types of provisioning, how to accurately provision, and where to purchase quality provisions. Specifics to the Road Town marina for shopping in person are emphasized.

Newbies need to understand the importance of planning and provisioning. Provisioning is the terminology used by charterers to acquire food and sundries. Over-provisioning is expensive and wasteful yet under-provisioning leads to a hangry crew.

Some people love provisioning for charter in the British Virgin Islands; some people hate it.  Either way, provisioning requires planning, skills, and a competency in math. 

Types of Provisioning

With a bareboat charter, you typically have three choices for provisioning:

• Charter Company · Most charter companies will provision your boat. Typically the easiest but most expensive and least flexible. They provide a form that you complete with any food preferences, allergies, number of people, etc. You have the option to have them provision for most meals aboard, some meals aboard or just basics. The biggest advantage of this method is the charter companies have lots of experience and you are unlikely to end up without important items. The disadvantages are that you are not making specific selections and the higher price. If you don’t like planning meals, this might be the best choice.
• Order in Advance · A provisioning company provides the option to order from them in advance. There is an online form to complete and the supplies will be delivered to your boat at your specified time.  Typically, this option is less expensive and more flexible than the charter company option, however it requires planning meals ahead of time.
• Stores · The third option is to buy provisions at local stores after arrival to the charter base.  This is the least expensive option, but requires you to be flexible to visiting numerous stores to purchase everything you want. If you decide on this option make a list before arrival and divide the chores. Some can stay at the marina receiving the boat and getting water and ice, some can venture to Rite Way to purchase the bulk of provisions, and some can shop the many unique stores for specialty items. I prefer this option as it allows for more flexibility with purchases.

Steps to Provision Accurately

• Plan · Check with your group for food allergies, dietary needs, and likes/dislikes. Begin planning your provisioning well in advance of your departure date. Consider factors such as the duration of your trip, the number of people onboard, and how many times you plan to eat ashore.
• Organize · Organization is key for proper planning and efficient provisioning. It is not necessary to set a strict schedule of meals but you do need to plan for the total number of meals aboard the boat. Also, it is helpful to make a list of ingredients for each meal.
• Meal Plan · Develop a menu for each day of your trip, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. This will help you determine the quantity and types of food and beverages you’ll need to purchase. It is economical to choose ingredients which can be used in several dishes.

Preparing Shopping List

Once you have completed the above three tasks it is time to prepare your shopping list.

1. Go through your menus and list the ingredients and amounts for each dish. Use a spreadsheet if so inclined. 
2. Add the quantities of each ingredient. 
3. Adjust quantities so that items are purchased appropriately.
4. Comprise your supplies list.

Helpful Hints

• Placing your order · Place your order for provisioning two weeks prior to arrival. Do not forget to provide all the relevant details to the provisioning store when you place the order: charter company name, and date and time of arrival.
• Substitutes · If you order in advance and they don’t have the brand or exact item you ordered, they will try to find a substitute for you. It is helpful to list backup brands.
• Returns · If you’re using a provisioning company, they may allow you to return unopened packages of nonperishable items such as water and paper goods, although they may give you less than a full refund.  Check with the company you’re using — it can be helpful if you’re not really sure of how much you’ll use of an essential item such as toilet paper.
• Crew · If you have crew on your charter include them in your provisioning budgets.
• Non-food items · Do not forget things such as spices, non-stick spray, aluminum foil, Ziplock bags, trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, and coffee filters. Charter boats generally have nothing on board, not even salt and pepper. 
• Bath and personal items · Also important are hygiene items: shower gel/bar, bug spray, sunscreen, and after-burn cream. Personally, I travel with these items.
• Coffee · All charter boats come equipped with some sort of coffee apparatus. 
• Water · It is extremely importance to have plenty of drinking water onboard. Being out in the sun all day feels great on your skin, but it also dehydrates the body. Plan at least 1.5 liters per person per day. Purchase gallon jugs of water rather than little plastic drinking bottles – the bigger bottles blow around less and tend to get used to the bottom. Bring your own insulated cup to keep your drinks chilled.

• Drinks. Stock up on sodas, juices, and alcoholic beverages.
• Cooler. Keep your charter company hard sided cooler on deck for items you will want to get to all day. This way you do not have to open your fridge throughout the day.
• Ice · Start out with a lot of ice in your cooler and fridge. Your charter company usually provides two free bags. You will need to buy more ice.
• Snacks · You will need lots of snacks. The sun + the sea = lots of snacks!  Whether it’s granola bars, fruit, or charcuterie boards, make sure you have plenty of easy to grab nibbles.
• Trash. You will either carry your trash with you for the duration of the cruise or find a place to dispose of it every couple of days. In addition, people in dinghies will dispose of your trash for a few bucks.
• Fridge. Fridges on boats do not cool like your home fridge. Take into account that your fridge may not keep everything as cold as you like.
• Bread. Bread doesn’t keep very well in the Carribean. Store bread in the fridge until you are ready to eat it. Sour dough, english muffins and tortillas often keep the best.
• Spices. If you use a lot of spices, you might want to consider bringing some from home. They pack very easily in small ziplocks and can save you a lot of money not buying full size containers for a week’s trip.

• Copy of provisioning list · If you used a provisioning service, be sure to bring a copy of your list. This way you can check items off as you unpack it. It would be a big penalty to find out something is missing when you need to use it.
• Recipes · Bring your recipes. 
• Reuse. Your empty water gallon jugs can be used to make painkillers.
• Leftover food · It is usually impractical to take any remaining supplies home. Usually, supplies are left for the cleaning crew. Sometimes, a fellow sailor will approach you for specifics items you might be leaving post charter.
• Games · Lastly, think about games such as cards or board games and cute floats.

Where to Provision in Tortola

Rite Way Food Markets

Rite Way Food Markets is the largest provisioning store in Tortola. You can purchase or order almost any item required during your trip. In business for over 60 years, they sell grocery items, produce, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, gourmet food, baby food items, personal care items. Rite Way tends to have the best prices.

Operations

• Monday to Thursday and Sunday · 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM
• Friday and Saturday · 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
• (284) 347-1146
• Pasea Estate · James Walter Francis Highway · Road Town
• Delivery fee of 10% up to $75
• https://www.riteway.vg/

Bobby’s Market Place

Since 1968, Bobby’s Market Place has been serving the BVI from its massive 10,000 square feet space. They stock fresh and frozen meats, wines, liquor, and grocery items. A one-stop-shop for your supplies, the store brings in fresh produce twice a week.

Operations

• Monday to Sunday from 6 AM to 12 AM
• (284) 494-2189
• Road Town
• Free delivery
• https://www.bobbyssupermarket.com/

The French Deli

Say “bonjour” to Jean Luc Simon, owner, baker, and chef. This French Bakery was established in 2007. The French Bakery specializes in European products for purchase (at the shop or online) and serves breakfast and lunch.

Operations:

• Monday to Friday · 8:00 AM · 6:00 PM
• Saturday · 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Closed Sunday and all BVI national holidays
• (284) 494-5717
• Corner of Wickham’s Cay II Road and James Walter Francis Highway · Road Town
• https://www.frenchdelibvi.com/

List of Items for sale:

• Bakery: bread, frozen dough, cake, quiche, cookies

• Cheese: cheddar, gouda, blue, goat, sheep, mozzarella, burrata

• Cold cuts: cured meats, ham, pâté, salami

• Dairy: butter, milk, cream, yogurt
• Gourmet: caviar, salmon, foie gras, saffron, mushrooms, seafood, vanilla, duck
• Grocery: crackers, pickles, chutney, jams, honey, condiments, dessert sweet biscuits, tea, coffee, pasta, sauce, risotto, polenta
• Snacks: chips, nuts, olives, chocolate
• Soft drinks: juice, soda, lemonade, beer
• Wine: white, red, rose, sparkling, spirits, cider

• Limited household, cosmetics, and accessories

Tico

Open since 1969, Tico is a respected alcoholic beverages store. Whether you want locally brewed beer, wines, or spirits and mixers, Tico can satisfy your beverage requirements. Shop in store or online.

Operations

• Monday to Friday · 9 AM to 5 PM
• Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm
• (284) 494-2211
• Wickman’s Cay · Road Town
• Orders $150 to $299 · $10 delivery fee
• Orders over $300 · free delivery
• https://www.ticobvi.com

Caribbean Cellars

For 30 years, Caribbean Cellars has maintained a renowned presence on Tortola for alcoholic beverages. They have an extensive selection of beer, wines, and spirits.

Operations

• Monday to Friday · 8:30 AM to 5 PM
• Saturday · 8:30 AM to 3 PM
• (284) 393-4471
• Wickham Cay 2 · Road Town
• Free delivery
• https://caribbeancellars.com/

Steakation Butcher

Steakation Butcher excels at fresh meat. Their retail store offers meat, smoked meats, farm cheeses, seafood, vegan burgers, sausages, and bread.

Operations

• Monday to Saturday · 9 AM to 6 PM
• Sunday · 9 AM to 2 PM
• (284) 394-1130
• At the entrance of Wickham’s Cay · Road Town
• https://www.bvibutcher.com/

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My first charter was through the Moorings in 2001 aboard Princess, a 52 foot monohull, with seven friends and a captain on board. We provisioned this 8 day / 7 night sailing trip via a charter spreadsheet and our items were delivered to our boat upon arrival. A few items were missing and reimbursed. Since this trip was decades ago, I will not go into more details except to say that I was bitten by the charter bug.

In the midst of Covid I returned to the BVI for my second charter. This time we were seven on aboard a 53 foot power-cat which we captained ourselves. Provisions were strictly accomplished via the WhatsApp and the supplies were delivered to our boat. During our 14 day cruise we provisioned a few times at different locations. Beashell, our boat, was equipped with a regular size refrigerator/freezer. This enabled us to purchase more ice at one time, a huge bonus.

In 2021 I embarked on my third charter but this time in the Bahamas. We chartered a 46 foot power-cat. This boat was equipped with the counter height refrigerator/freezer. For this trip we provisioned by shopping in stores solely.

For my latest trip in April of 2024 in the BVI, we were three aboard a 46 foot power-cat for seven nights and five aboard Winklebean, a 40 foot power-cat, for an additional seven nights. Both weeks were provisioned by shopping in stores. Since we had a regular size refrigerator/freezer we were able to purchase enough ice for each seven day cruise.

Update: I will be sailing on a 4200 – 3 cabin catamaran for two weeks at the end of December in St Lucia. I am excited to sail as my last few trips were on a power-cat. For this trip I have decided to try a different approach to spices. Lots of times unplanned delicious ingredients present themselves and invariably I am missing spices. I found these 1 ounce plastic jars with spill proof lids and labels. Eight spices will certainly provide adequate amounts of choices for seasoning ingredients.

One last note worthy of mention, many times while moored, a local would approach on a dinghy to offer locally made delicacies such as empanadas.

Wrap Up

Regardless of which way you choose to provision your boat, the most important thing is to PLAN! The second most important thing is to be flexible…you will forget something. Enjoy your time on the water!

Until next time…

· izzy