Supplemental provisioning in the BVI

[Swegnson]

We have a Moorings charter lined up for February. We plan to provision in Roadtown, but are wondering what the availability of grocery stores is in other parts of the BVI if we need something along the way? We chartered there once before but many years ago and I don't really remember.

Also, what is the best way to provide for wifi or cell service during the charter? Renport is ungodly expensive. Have folks had success with getting a SIM card locally?

[pete33458]

I think if you search for threads on wifi and mobile in BVI you will get lots of information.


As far as provisioning, it's more or less, depending on where you are (and the season), and it's directly related to the local population. Roadtown has the most, but at most popular marinas and anchorages you will still get most things you need, just generally not much meat except fish or chicken. Smaller towns have what you would expect small towns to have, minimal selection and modest quality.


Have fun! Pete

[dgoanne]

Just returned from VIs and have some provisioning thoughts. Road Town, if you're starting there, may well have provisions, but is tough for transients to find either docking or mooring right now. Nanny Caye - call/reserve ahead! - is better put together, with a small grocery, laundry, a couple restaurants, etc. Taxi to RT if you wish.

Others: There's a small grocery at Trellis Bay with surprisingly fresh veggies. Same with Leverick Bay at North Sound.

Best option I've found in the US VI are Starfish Market on St Johns and Moe's in STT. Really excellent provisioning at both, unlike last year....

[Lihuedooley77]

We bare boat the BVI for two week sailing vacations. Now, just Erica and I, and we have changed our provisioning plans. No longer a group of people, and we can easily handle the , jeanneau 36i, mono, reefed down main, small jib, and great sailing grounds . Love the BVI.

We used to BBQ dinners on board.....and get partial ( split ) provisioning from the moorings or sunsail . We would mix and match dinners ashore , and on board. We would pick up additional provisioning through out the BVI. Actually, no problem.
Many trips before Irma,, and Marie.

New program the last few years in the BVI, we provision ourselves at Riteway market, and stow in on board as we have the pre boarding early evening. We stow all of our gear and also go through our personal check list of the boats systems, rigging, and provisions, , and check the boats inventory before the staff boat check out the next day. If we find a problem, they can take care of it, so we have no delay on getting out of the dock on our scheduled beginning sailing day.

We provision for breakfasts, snacks and lunches, extra beer, water, etc. No dinners, as we eat ashore and treat ourselves. Back home, in Dana Point, Ca,, Erica does a lot of preparing great dinners. Now, on vacation, the cook is off and the galley is closed.

Re- provision during the two weeks : There are several small grocery stores along our planned itinerary that make life easy.

Leverick Bay has a pretty darned good selection for whatever we may need.

Sopers Hole, also has a marina market. ( check for post Irma operations )

Road Harbor: We now bare boat charter with Conch, and take one of their dock carts and push it over to Riteway, load up, and wheel on back. Stow it all away on board. We do not need a taxi, our legs work just fine .

Scrub island has as deli-market, not sure how well stocked...will check it out this next visit.

Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke.....JVD grocery and Rudy's superette .

Nanny Cay ; Advertises a Riteway super market, but in 35 yrs of sailing the BVI, this will be a first visit to Nanny Cay, so no practical experience. Actually staying there for a day or two before we go sailing.

You might check out Canegarden bay, and see what the provision situation is there after Irma.

Trellis bay has already been mentioned.

One of our main priorities over the two weeks is fresh water for the boats tanks. Some places charge, others no charge.

Some of the marinas that have moorings, in the BVI , with the mooring fee, you can top off the water, and get a free bag ice per day, and use the showers , and pool, etc.
Leverick , in gorda sound, is our fave for mooring , water and ice, pool, bbq party and mocko jumbies, and a hike up the hill.

Fuel is not a problem , we are avid sailors and only motor to charge the batteries, or pick up a mooring, or when the cruising guide advises engine- on when transiting narrow passages or passes thru the reefs. Fuel usage in two weeks is 7 to 8 gallons.

As to fresh water, we back up our topping off of the boats tanks , with a case of small or t two fresh water bottles and several large gallon bottles, and add in some juices as well. I dont use boat water to splash into my rum drinks.

You may already have it, but strongly recommend THE CRUISING GUIDE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS By the Scott's . Great info , and nav, and the different islands and anchorages.....plus easy reference ' Island Connection ' sections that include provision stores, restaurants, and bars, ferries, etc, on one easy reference page .

When we get our chart brief, and boat system brief , we will also check with the briefer on what places are back open for biz......most we will all ready be aware of, but on some we need updates.

We are very much looking forward to our next BVI sailing vacation, with new islands and cays , and returning to old faves who may have changed a bit due to Irma, but that is good. It will be like a new island stop for us.

Have a grand and fantastic BVI sailing vacation......

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Swegnson.

[Flagman101]

Spanish town has a market right next to the marina.
You anchor outside or take a mooring ball. They have a dingy dock right next to it.

[leboyd]

We just returned from BVIs last Wednesday. Much of the information provided above is out dated. I haven’t had the time to write a trip report, but here’s the information of provisioning outside of Road Town.

Don’t rely on the cruising guide. Even the 2017/2018 guide is out of date.

Hodges Creek - small place about 15 minute walk heading right out of marina.
Spanish Town - the old Riteway right by the marina is gone. There’s a big one up the hill heading right out of the marina. It’s also about a 15 minute walk. But there are a lot of buses/taxis.
Leverick Bay - good sized place for the location. They don’t have everything but nice store.
Cane Garden Bay - Bobbie’s is just down the street (again to the right), but it’s not that far. Like Leverick, it’s not large but they seemed to have essentials.
Soper’s Hole - by far the saddest place to visit. If you’re not sailing voyager, there’s no reason to go here. Only a small cafe was open which only serves breakfast. I saw a taxi come in with provisions for a vorager charter but I don’t know where and how far they went.
Scrub Island - the deli/store is physically large, but lots of empty space. You might be able to get what you need, but I wouldn’t count on it.

We did not get to Nanny Cay because it was full and didn’t get to JVD.

[joeelliott]

I'm chartering in the BVI next week. Anything important I should know re provisioning, water etc. Is Willy T's still a fun place. Have not been to tis area in about 10 years

[leboyd]

Water/fuel is available at Nanny Cay, Spanish Town, Leverick Bay, Cane Garden Bay and Scrub Island. There may be other locations.

[NARWHAL]

Just returned from the BVI-to add to previous comments: the Riteway at Nanny Cay is well stocked and can provide 95% of all provisioning needs. There is also Fuel, Water, laundry, Showers, etc.; Also-Great little bar (Peg Leg's) and food shack if you're docked for the night.



Agree that Spanish Town and Leverick bay also have good options.



FYI, the dock at Marina Cay is open for Fuel, Ice, and Water;also a free ferry from there to Scrub Island and Trellis bay if you happen to be there for the full moon party. The Pusser's bar/restaurant is also open.



Had no problem using Verizon TravelPass for $10/Day and had great cell and internet service the entire time; I assume other carriers have a similar deal?

[NextChapter]

We travel to Roadtown twice annually for a couple of weeks sailing on our catamaran (heading that way in 8 days) One provision site that has not been mentioned is Good Moon Farms. You can pre-order all organic fruit, veggies, breads, eggs, meat, fish from them. They deliver directly to your yacht. Excellent quality and service.