How to Provision a Yacht Charter: A Complete Guide for the BVI, Caribbean & Mediterranean
What is provisioning? In the yachting world, provisioning simply means grocery shopping and preparing food and supplies for your yacht charter. Thanks to online ordering and specialty delivery services, it has never been easier – no matter where in the world you’re sailing.
Online Provisioning: Order Ahead, Deliver to Your Boat
One of the biggest improvements in the charter industry in recent years is the ability to provision entirely online. Most reputable provisioning companies allow you to browse, order, pay, and schedule delivery directly to your boat – all before you even arrive at the marina. All they typically need is the name of the charter company, the name of the boat, and your arrival dates.
BVI (British Virgin Islands)
In the BVI, online provisioning is straightforward and well-established. Key providers include:
- One Mart – A go-to online supermarket for charter provisioning in the BVI
- Bobby’s – A specialty store offering a wide range of provisioning options
Croatia
- Jam Yacht Supply – A specialist yacht charter delivery company serving the Croatian coast
Greece
- Balacus Markets – A dedicated yacht provisioning and delivery service for Greek charter destinations
Don’t Overlook Local Markets & Specialty Stores
While online provisioning covers the basics, some of the best finds come from local, destination-based shops and markets. These are worth building into your itinerary:
- Trogir, Croatia – A Saturday market where you can pick up fresh local cheese and fruit
- BVI – Local spots like Staycation and Good Moon Farms offer specialty and artisan items
- Greece & Croatia – Nearly every island has its own small market, making it easy to restock along the way or grab a local wine you discovered the day before
Meal Planning: Caribbean vs. Mediterranean
How much meal planning you need to do depends largely on where you’re chartering. The two regions call for quite different approaches.
Caribbean Provisioning
In the Caribbean, some upfront meal planning is required. A few things to consider:
- Remote destinations – If you’re chartering out of a location like La Paz, which is quite remote, take care of all provisioning ahead of time. Resupply options will be limited.
- Dining ashore – In the BVI, you’ll likely eat on shore multiple times during your trip. Decide in advance roughly how many lunches and dinners you plan to have at restaurants so you provision your boat accordingly and avoid over-buying.
Mediterranean Provisioning
In the Mediterranean, the strong recommendation is to start your provisioning very light. Here’s why:
- Eating ashore is a core part of the Mediterranean charter experience – almost every evening presents an opportunity to dine at a local taverna or restaurant
- Each island in Croatia and Greece typically has its own small market for top-ups and forgotten items
- You can shop as you go – if you fall in love with a particular local wine on day one, you can easily pick up more on day two or three
Don’t Want to Meal Plan? Consider These Options
Bareboat with a Hired Hostess
If meal planning feels like too much work, you can bareboat your charter and hire a hostess. The hostess typically handles:
- Provisioning based on a preference sheet you fill out in advance
- Approximately two meals per day (typically breakfast and lunch, or breakfast and dinner)
- Dishes, meal planning, and keeping the common areas of the boat clean
Fully Crewed Charter & APA
On a fully crewed charter, provisioning is handled entirely by the crew. Food, beverages, and alcohol are all inclusive under what is known as the APA – Advanced Provisioning Allowance. This is a pre-paid sum of money (typically a percentage of the charter fee) that covers:
- All provisioning and food
- Fuel and other running costs
- Alcohol and beverages
The crew manages everything, and any unspent APA funds are returned to you at the end of the charter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “provisioning” mean in yacht chartering?
Provisioning simply means grocery shopping and preparing food and supplies for your yacht charter. It covers everything from beverages and snacks to full meals, depending on how many days you plan to cook aboard.
Can I order provisioning online and have it delivered to my boat?
Yes. Many destinations now offer online provisioning with direct delivery to your boat. In the BVI, companies like One Mart and Bobby’s offer this service. In Croatia, Jam Yacht Supply provides it, and in Greece, Balacus Markets handles yacht provisioning deliveries. You typically just need to provide the charter company name, boat name, and arrival date.
How much food should I provision for a yacht charter?
It depends on your destination. In the Caribbean, plan ahead and decide how many meals you expect to eat ashore versus on the boat. In the Mediterranean, it’s recommended to provision lightly since dining at local restaurants is a big part of the experience and resupply is easy island to island.
What is the difference between provisioning in the Caribbean vs. the Mediterranean?
In the Caribbean – especially remote locations like La Paz – you need to plan and stock up thoroughly before departure as resupply options are limited. In the Mediterranean, you can provision lightly and shop as you go, since most islands have local markets and eating ashore at tavernas is a central part of the cruising lifestyle.
What is a hired hostess on a bareboat charter?
A hired hostess is an optional crew member you can add to a bareboat charter. They handle provisioning based on your food preferences, prepare approximately two meals per day, do the dishes, and keep common areas clean. It’s a great option if you want the independence of bareboat sailing without the hassle of meal planning.
What is APA in a crewed yacht charter?
APA stands for Advanced Provisioning Allowance. It is a prepaid sum – usually a percentage of the charter fee – that covers the crew’s operating expenses including food, beverages, alcohol, and fuel. On a fully crewed charter, all provisioning is handled by the crew and comes out of the APA. Any unspent amount is typically returned to the client at the end of the trip.
Are there good local markets to shop at during a yacht charter?
Absolutely. In Trogir, Croatia, there is a popular Saturday market offering fresh local cheese and fruit. In the BVI, specialty spots like Staycation and Good Moon Farms carry artisan and local items. In Greece and Croatia, nearly every island has a small market where you can restock or discover local products along the way.
Do I need to provision if I book a fully crewed charter?
No. On a fully crewed charter, provisioning is entirely the crew’s responsibility and is covered under the APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance). You simply fill out a preference sheet beforehand so the crew knows your tastes, and everything is taken care of for you.
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