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Old 22-08-2019, 12:05   #1
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: St. John, USVI
Boat: 2003 Beneteau 423
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Provisions and Prices from Florida Keys to the Virgin Islands

We sailed from the Florida Keys to the Virgin Islands via the Thorny Path April-June. I thought it might be helpful if I threw in some generalizations about the costs across the route. Nothing new here, but here is a rough ranking from most expensive to least expensive with color commentary. The usual caveats apply, YMMV. Interested about your experiences.

Bahamas - Not everything is more expensive in The Bahamas. But, a trip to the market or fuel dock can be a bit of a shock to the budget. We found some deals on locally raised vegetables and eggs in Georgetown and on Long Island. We did not visit the Abacos. Eating out can be the same price as buying provisions. We paid $6 per gallon for diesel at Great Inagua. Water can be $0.40 per gallon or more.

BVI - Outside of the main supermarkets and cash & carries in Road Town, provisions in the BVIs are pricey. Part of this is the great prevalence of charter boat tourism. Affluent people on vacation don’t mind paying $32 for Mahi Mahi and rice. The larger markets on Virgin Gorda are a taxi ride from an anchorage. The BVIs continue to add more fees for cruisers - 5%-20% duty, Cruising fees, $1/foot port authority fee, National Park Trust mooring fee, Fishing licenses for boat and individuals, search and rescue fee, environmental fee, exit fee… the government is in an escalating money grab from foreigners. Many anchorages have been carpet bombed with pay for use moorings. Diesel averages $3.68 per gallon. Water, where available, is a reasonable price.

USVI - Next to the BVI, the USVI are a cheap option. No customs fees for check in/out or other funny fees. St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix have supermarkets where prices average 30% over the US mainland with dry provisions much less and packaged foods more. Eating out is about 30% more than US standard prices; you can find happy hour deals and specials that bring that down. With the National Park at St. John, there are fewer reasons to visit the BVIs other than to get further East before your hop to St. Martin. The Virgin Islands enacted sin taxes on beer, wine, liquor and tobacco which make Cruzan Rum $17.99 per half gallon compared to $14.99 per half gallon in New Hampshire. You can find diesel for $3.50 per gallon.

Florida Keys - Provisions prices are in alignment with metropolitan grocery stores and are pretty US standard. During high season you can spend as much as you like on a meal out, but there are good deals to be found.

Puerto Rico - Provisions are frequently less expensive than US prices. Fresh vegetables are widely available. Cases of cans of Medalla beer can be found for $19.99. Add 11.5% sales tax. US big box stores, chandleries, service providers are cheaper than mainland USA.

Dominican Republic - We were blown away by our first visit to the DR. We found cheap provisions and lower prices in general, especially outside the tourist areas. Some of the brands were different, but commercial grade. We bought beef and pork for $2.50/lb, chicken for $1.75/lb and eggs were $1.25 a dozen for farm eggs. The diesel fuel was also reasonably priced at $3.39 per gallon.

Cheers, RickG
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Old 22-08-2019, 13:22   #2
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Re: Provisions and Prices from Florida Keys to the Virgin Islands

Thank you for taking the time to share you experiences.
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