Provisions for Bahamas

[Scottandlisa]

Heading to Bahamas this winter and wanted to ask what food supplies and medicine should I stock up on before sailing there?

[Dave852]

The only reasonable items you can purchase there are cheddar cheese, New Zealand butter.


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[DDabs]

other reasonable items for purchase there are Sands and Goombay punch

[Amapola]

Everything in the Bahamas is priced much higher than the US. Stock up on as much as you can take of the things you use. We carry enough food, booze, and meds to last us for the duration of our trip--usually 3-6 months. This is especially important if you plan to visit the out islands as supplies may not always be available. We purchase fresh produce and bread there.

[Lodesman]

Booze and fruit/vegetables are reasonably priced. Chicken and pork aren't too bad, but it can be hard to find good beef. Peanut butter is surprisingly expensive. Snack foods - chips, cookies, crackers are pricey. Paper products - tissues, paper towel, TP is also crazy expensive. Beer is also crazy expensive, except on Gr. Bahama - then it's just Canadian-expensive. If you eat like the locals, it's cheaper.

[DDabs]

hope you like conch!

[jcapo]

Like others have pointed out, take all you can carry. Be prepared for sticker shock.

Produce is available most places and sometimes reasonable. We paid $1 for Avocados in Salt Pond that were better than many we buy here in the states. The farther you are from Nassau the more expensive produce will be. You will learn to shop on mailboat days.

I paid $3 for an onion in Green Turtle this year on our way back north. It was a very nice onion.

[Canibul]

looks a bit cheaper than here, actually.

[CaptainBW]

Everything is more expensive. Beer is $50+ a case in the Bahamas everywhere. We were told rum was cheap, but all of the liquor including rum was more expensive. The VAT tax has hiked everything up. Marsh Harbour and Nassau are better than anywhere else, but for an example, we paid $11 for a dozen eggs and romaine lettuce in the Berrys. Nothing is marked price wise. Take as much as you can carry. The only thing that is reasonable is frozen chicken and rice.

[zboss]

Commuter Cruiser has a great series on provisioning for the Bahamas:

Provisioning For a 3 Month Cruise to the Bahamas

The Boat Galley has one too:

http://theboatgalley.com/provisioning/