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Provision shopping in the Virgin Islands for Sailing Vacations

Provisions shopping in the VIProvision shopping for a weeklong live aboard sailing trip can feel intimidating. However, there are plenty of options to make sure you have everything you need before you set sail! Here’s our guide to shopping in the Virgin Islands for provisions and other items you may want on your sailing vacation. 

Provision shopping at home before heading to the Virgin Islands

To avoid last minute disappointment when provision shopping in the Virgin Islands, be aware there are a few creature comforts that are hard to find or very expensive to buy in the VI! For example, if you are a coffee drinker, you’ll want to plan ahead. Before you leave home, stock up on your favorite coffee and specialty creamers. You’ll have to pay a pretty penny for either of these in VI! Additionally, hydration packets and your favorite snack bars are better brought from the U.S. mainland than attempting to find them in the Virgin Islands. While some other items are more readily available, they are likely going to be much more expensive in the VI than you’ll find at home. That includes items like reef safe sunscreen, sailing gloves, hats, and SPF sun shirts. Check out some Go Sail VI sailing gear we love to wear.

If you are thinking, “oh I’m not too worried about forgetting a few things here and there— I can always ship an Amazon order to my hotel in the VI” — think again! Amazon and other online shopping retailers aren’t incredibly quick or reliable in the VI. 

#1 Rule if you are ordering in advance you must submit your order at least 1 week prior to departure and 2 weeks during hoilday weeks.

US Virgin Islands:

You have several options in terms of provisioning for your charter:  either in-person grocery shopping, quasi-online grocery shopping with pickup at the store (by you or taxi), or full provisioning.

Grocery Stores

  • Time Saver VI: They are professional, reliable, and very close to our base.
  • Anna’s Market St Thomas VI:  Fine Food Afloat Online ordering of groceries and liquor for delivery in St Thomas and St John, USVI.
  • VI Provisioning: You order, they shop and they deliver directly to the boat.
  • Moe’s Market: Less than a 10-minute walk to Moe’s Market on the Waterfront. Moe’s will have everything you need but does not have an overwhelming selection of any one item. You will need to take a taxi back to our base with groceries.
  • Pueblo Supermarket:  This store is about a 15-minute walk from our office. Most people walk there and taxi back with their groceries. Pueblo is a U.S.-style supermarket with all the items you’d expect to find in a major grocery store (although the brands may be different than you have at home.)
  • Cost-U-Less: Similar to a Costco or Sam’s Club. This is better suited for large groups who want to buy things in bulk.

During your charter, you can pick up additional provisions in Cruz Bay, St. John, West End or Road Town on Tortola, or Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda.

British Virgin Islands:

However, there are local British Virgin Island companies that allow you to order your provisions in advance online and they’ll deliver them directly to your boat! 

BVI – Grocery Stores 

  • RiteWay Nanny Cay Nanny Cay Marina VG1110 Tortola, British Virgin Islands; +1 284-340-2263. Open 7 days a week from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm: .  
  • RiteWay Provisioning Road Town: Pasea Estate, James Walter Francis Highway, VG1110 Road Town, British Virgin Islands; +1 284-347-1188. You can fill out an online provisioning form from this location which will deliver your items to your boat on the day of arrival. They have a great selection of meats, cheeses, and produce.
  • Bobby’s Supermarket Road Town: Road Town VG 1110 Tortola, British Virgin Islands; +1-954-314-5198. They will also deliver to the yacht. They carry a lot of gluten-free and organic items.
  • One Mart Road Town: Port Purcell, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; +1 284-494-4649. They also have an online provisioning form that can deliver to the yacht.
  • Grape Expectations: Road Reef, Road Town, US Virgin Islands; +1 284-346-9463, provisioning@grapeexpectationsbvi.com. This store carries specialty frozen items. They are great for fish, meats , and bread and will deliver. 
  • First Choice Provisioning: Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; + 1-284-499-1974, firstchoiceprovioning@gmail.com. Petronella will shop at all major grocery stores to ensure your order is complete. 
  • Steakation Butchers: Waterfront Dr, Road Town, British Virgin IslandsLocated in Road Town. This boutique grocery store offers fresh meat and fish, marinated meats, produce, specialty meat cuts, and more.

BVI – Wine and Beer 

  • TICO: Pasea Estates Near RiteWay; 284-494-2211 X323. You can order online or over the phone. 
  • Caribbean Cellars: Lower Estate, Road Town, British Virgin Islands; +1 284-393-4470. You can order online or over the phone. 

Note: TICO and Caribbean Cellars do not deliver on Sundays.  If you need to have it delivered on Sunday, please request a Saturday delivery. 

Provisions provided by Go Sail Virgin Islands in USVI or BVI

If you are taking ASA courses with Go Sail Virgin Islands, don’t go overboard with grocery shopping before you set sail. Go Sail Virgin Island courses come with all breakfasts, all lunches, 2 dinners, and all the drinking water you’ll need included. Just make sure to let us know in advance of any dietary restrictions you may have. Additionally, there will be plenty of opportunities to stop at local restaurants during your trip to enjoy delicious Caribbean fare for dinner! 

However, if you are chartering a bareboat from Go Sail Virgin Islands— you’ll need to do all the provision shopping yourself. Consider using an online provision service (like the ones listed above) or following our guide to provision shopping locally (below). 

Provision shopping locally in the Virgin Islands

Don’t leave your provision shopping in the Virgin Islands too last minute! If you arrive at the dock without supplies, you’ll likely be disappointed by what you find within walking distance. For example, the Compass Point Marina in St. Thomas only has a small store to buy last minute items and doesn’t sell alcohol.  Food Center is a grocery store right before the compass point turn off. Stop in there to get your extra booze, snacks, or specialty items.

When you land on Tortola do not worry about stopping. There is a full service store in Nanny Cay Marina. The RiteWay Nanny Cay store is only a short walk down the dock at the Nanny Cay Marina and offers a bit more insofar as last-minute purchases and the basics. 

However, a quick Google search will likely yield results for a grocery store or two between you and the marina with a much wider selection of sailing provisions! Alcohol is sold in grocery stores in the VI and is a good option for buying booze, if you are so inclined (there are no duty free stores in the BVI or USVI airports).  

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