Provisioning in Carribean

impact30

impact30

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Hi all
Does any body have any experience of provisioning for a trans-at from the Carribean. More that likely departure point will be BVIs or Antigua in early May. 4 on board 45ft ketch. Possible stopover in Azores.
Things like availability of supermarkets, wholesalers, Markets and delivery options. Any particularly suitable local produce?
Any dos or don'ts out side of the normal considerations?
Thanks
Padraic
 
If you depart from Antigua, you could do a lot worse than to go to the marina in Jolly Harbour which has a very good supermarket (from memory, it was called The Epicurean), right in the marina complex.

We provisioned here for our West East transatlantic via the Azores in 2006. It had a good range of products and was incredibly close to boat.

One word of caution though.....Jolly Harbour used to be called Mosquito Bay and, if our experience was anything to go by, it was aptly named.

If you don't want to pay up for marina fees there is a reasonable anchorage outside harbour.
 
Hi Padriac,
I second Bobbys supermarket, but remember virtually nothing is grown in the BVI's so it all comes in frozen or chilled and hence does not last long. I will be leaving Road Town on about the 14th May on a shakedown cruise to St Martins, restocking, fixing what needs fixing and then about the 18th May off to the Azores and Solent late June/ July.
May see you in Road Town PM me for details.
Richard
 
If you have to go from the BVI's then, as others have mentioned, Bobby's is very good. Also in Road Town is SupaValue. They are far cheaper than Bobby's for frozen goods. They have an excellent range of frozen fish and Chicken Breasts.

If you have the choice though, go from St Martin. The Grande Marche - particularly the one on the Dutch side - is massive, cheap and has the most extensive range of stuff you'll find in the Caribbean.

Every few months we make a special trip from the BVI to St Martin just to stock up on things we cannot otherwise get.

Also, in St Martin, you have Budget Marine headquarters and Island Water World. Biggest chandlers around this part of the world.
 
Hello Jeannius - I hope to be in Grenada in a few weeks, on to the BVI's and then across to Azores.
I was told that the French islands were still a bit 'awkward' with street violence etc. and was thinking of avoiding them.

Have things quietened down? Do you reccommend provisioning up for the main trip in St Martin ?

thanks for any info.

stephenh
 
BVI's - if you can get to the USVI's then do so. (but you need a visa in your passport) Provisioning at Charlotte Amalie is probably the best and cheapest anywhere east of Puerto Rico. Anchor in main harbour, take dinghy to the Yacht Haven Grande dinghy dock near the front of the cruise ship dock and you have a short walk to Pueblo for fairly good selection.

You can also go to 'cost-u-less' cash and carry, no membership required. Ask around then take a local bus ($1) which look exactly like taxis but have local folks aboard, not lily white crusie ship passengers (who pay $10 for same journey).

Also close by are K-Mart, Ace Hardware, etc. etc.

We provisioned there three or four times and spent a number of nights in the anchorage. It's perfectly safe unless you walk around the dodgy areas at night. Charlotte Amalie is also one of the best places to fly crew in or out from US or Europe.

If you have to stock in the BVI's:

Bobby's is good but prices are 10% higher than Riteway. For Riteway go into the marina at Port Purcell, Road Harbour then walk across the road to the supermarkets. There is a cash-carry where you have to buy in bulk and a regular supermarket. We used to go to the cash-carry first then mop up anything missing at the next door supermarket. Then get a $5 cab back into the marina.

Anchorage in Road Harbour is miserable, we never stayed overnight but OK for a hit and run with the dinghy for shopping then back over to e.g. Peter Island for a better night.

If you go to St Maarten, as others have suggested:

Grande Marche is an easy walk from the casino/marina complex then they will run you back to the dinghy or boat with your groceries, for free. Just ask at the customer service desk. We usually tip the driver a few bucks although once the manager drove us and wouldn't take a tip, very friendly place.

However, by the time you've paid customs / bridge fees to be there you'll not save any money over BVI's / USVI's.

Antigua: Epicurean in Jolly Harbour would be the only choice for me, other Antigua options were poor but perhaps with a hire car you could reach more. All expensive though.


We left for US east Coast last May via Bermuda. Provisioned in full at Charlotte Amalie. That would be my first choice in the area if I was doing it again. We didn't find any really local food after Dominica until Puerto Rico, anything you might sensibly provision with has been flown or shipped in.
 
We and a number of other boats are leaving from Jolly Harbour in Antigua around mid-May, going great circle to the Azores. Go earlier and you risk gales. Good provisioning at the Epicurian in Jolly and the best market day is Saturday in St John.

I have heard good reports about provisioning in St Martin, particularly on the French side. However, since we can't stand the place we won't be doing that.

I wouldn't provision in the BVI either, they are almost certainly the most expensive islands in the Caribbean. However, as mentioned above, if you have US visas the USVI has massive American supermarkets around half BVI prices.
 
No problems on French St Martin worth speaking of. Guadeloupe mainly and Martinique not quite so bad.

Dutch Sint Maarten which is where you'll find the biggest and best supermarket and the major chandleries wasn't affected at all.

I would say get as much as you can in St Martin/Sint Maarten -it is way cheaper than the BVI - then see the BVIs and do a minor restocking before heading out.

You definitely do not want to visit BVI and then go back to St Martin. That is a horrible trip dead to windward... always!!!!
 
If you decide to stock up in the VI's then the US is the place to do it.
If you dont have a current US visa then catch the daily ferry to St John(worth the ferry ride just for the visit) when you arrive you will be stamped in on a ninety day tourist visa, when you return to St Thomas to do your shopping you will be legal for the remainder of your 90 days.
Then shopping as already stated is easy, Pueblo is walking distance and cost you less and 2 Kmart's short bus rides away.
 
Many thanks all for your replys. This is just the type of info I need.
I will print out and take along as plans are 'cast in jelly' at the moment. I will be flying in to join so my visa will not be a problem but it may be for existing crew.
Padraic
 
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