Boat Trip Grocery List: Essential Food & Drinks for Sailing Adventures
BLOG
Planning a sailing trip or cruise along the Croatian coast? While charting your route and booking the boat are key, boat provisioning is often left for the last minute, and it can make or break the experience. Proper planning of food and drinks on board ensures not only enjoyment, but also the energy you’ll need for an active sailing trip in Croatia. As a Mediterranean destination, Croatia offers plenty of fresh, local ingredients, from seafood and seasonal fruits to wine — perfect for creating memorable meals at sea.
Meal planning
Before you start shopping for supplies, it’s important to make a detailed plan that takes several key factors into account:
Duration of the trip and number of people
Longer trips require more provisions or a strategy for restocking supplies in ports. The amount of food and drink should be precisely tailored to the number of people on board. For a week-long sailing trip with four people, you need to plan for at least 28 meals, plus extra snacks and refreshments.
Storage space and kitchen facilities
Most boats have limited fridge and pantry space, which means you need to distribute your provisions wisely. Get familiar with the equipment you have available – stove, oven, grill, and plan meals that can be prepared with what’s on hand.
Frequency of port stops
Consider how often you’ll be near towns with shops. If you plan to spend most of your time at sea or in secluded bays, you’ll need more long-lasting provisions. On the other hand, if you regularly dock at marinas, you can buy fresh ingredients more frequently.
A good practice is to make a rough meal plan for the entire trip. Simple dishes are always a better choice for preparation on board, and some meals can even be prepped at home and just reheated on the boat.
Sailing Provisions Checklist
Breakfast
Breakfast is often the simplest meal to prepare on board. Mornings on a sailboat are magical, and a simple but nutritious breakfast sets the tone for the day. Breakfast suggestions include:
- Fresh fruit, yogurt, and granola – a light and nutritious option
- Local bakery goods like burek or croissants with coffee
- Eggs (omelet or scrambled) with prosciutto and cheese
- Toast with homemade fig jam and butter
Eggs are an excellent choice as they are a source of protein and can be prepared in many ways. Pre-boiled eggs can also serve as a quick snack during the day.
Lunch and light meals
For lunch, it’s good to have light, refreshing meals, especially during hot summer days. Popular options include:
- Greek salad with feta and olives
- Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes
- Cold pasta salad with tuna, olives, and cherry tomatoes
- Sandwiches with various fillings
Lunch is often eaten while sailing, so it’s practical to prepare food that can be eaten with one hand while steering the boat with the other.
Dinner on board or in a restaurant
Dinner is usually the main meal of the day and can be an opportunity to cook something special or visit a local restaurant in port. For dinner on board, consider:
- Simple pasta dishes with local ingredients
- Fresh fish on the grill if the boat has a barbecue
- Risottos with seafood
- Light stews and soups that can be prepared in one pot
Traditionally, dinner during a sailing or yachting holiday is often enjoyed in one of the renowned restaurants in the town where you’ve anchored. This is a chance to experience local cuisine without the limitations of the boat’s kitchen.
Drinks and hydration
Hydration is essential while at sea, where sun and salty air can quickly lead to dehydration. Your list should include:
- Enough drinking water (at least 2–3 liters per person per day)
- Natural mineral water (Jana and Jamnica are most popular among sailors)
- Juices and soft drinks
- Coffee and tea
- Beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages as desired
According to marina store experiences, sailors most often seek natural mineral water Jana and sparkling mineral water Jamnica, which is a good indicator of what to keep in stock.
Long-lasting provisions
Besides fresh food, it’s important to have a stock of non-perishable items that can serve as the basis for many meals or as a backup if you can’t reach a store:
- Pasta, rice, and other grains
- Canned tuna, sardines, and other seafood
- Olive oil, spices, and herbs
- Flour, sugar, salt, and other basics
- Canned vegetables and pasta sauces
- Snacks, nuts, and dried fruit
- Bread and crackers (which last longer)
- Honey, jam, and spreads
Don’t forget non-food essentials, which are often part of yacht provisioning services:
- Dishwashing liquid and sponges
- Paper towels and toilet paper
- Trash bags
- Aluminum foil and plastic storage bags
- Sunscreen and toiletries
Local Croatian specialties
Sailing along the Croatian coast is a great opportunity to try local specialties. Consider stocking your boat with:
- Top-quality Croatian wines from various regions
- Local prosciutto and cheese
- Olive oil from Istria or Dalmatia
- Local sweets and honey cakes
- Fresh seafood from local fish markets
Yacht provisioning services
For a worry-free start to your sailing trip along the Croatian coast, Croatia Yachting Charter offers professional yacht provisioning services that take the hassle out of shopping for food and drinks. With their convenient pre-order system, all essential supplies will be waiting for you fully stocked on your boat, so you can focus on enjoying your sailing adventure.
Croatia Yachting Charter’s online store features over 150 high-quality products, making boat provisioning in Croatia simple and efficient. Whether you're setting sail from marinas in Dubrovnik, Kaštela, Trogir, Šibenik, or Biograd na Moru, you can count on your boat to be perfectly stocked with everything you need for the journey.
Their signature "Start Sailing Food Boxes" let you customize your onboard meals and snacks to suit your tastes and dietary preferences. Choose from a wide selection of gourmet meals, snacks, and fine wines - all designed to enhance your sailing trip without the stress of last-minute shopping.
Advantages of using a yachts provisioning service
Using a provisioning service brings numerous benefits:
- Time-saving: Avoid lengthy shopping lists and store visits on departure day.
- Expertise: Receive products selected by experts who know what’s needed for sailing.
- Quality: Croatia Yacht Charter works with top suppliers and sources high-quality local ingredients.
- Simplicity: Ordering is easy via their user-friendly online shop.
- Direct delivery: Enjoy hassle-free delivery of food directly to your boat, perfectly timed for your departure.
It’s important to note that all provisioning orders should be completed at least 5 days before the start of your charter.
Where to buy yacht provisions along the Croatian coast
If you decide to shop for supplies yourself, Croatia offers many options along the coast:
Split has excellent markets where you can stock up before departure:
- Green Market (Pazar) – Fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil, cheese, and local specialties.
- Fish Market (Peškarija) – A great place to buy freshly caught fish.
- Supermarkets – Konzum, Tommy, and Lidl offer a wide selection of groceries, including meats, dairy, and essentials.
Dubrovnik – Sailors arriving at ACI Marina Dubrovnik can stock up at the top-notch Konzum store located right at the marina entrance. The staff speaks several languages and can help with your selection.
In larger towns and tourist spots along the coast, you’ll find supermarkets like Konzum, Tommy, Plodine, and Lidl, as well as local markets where you can buy fresh ingredients. Shopping centers like Supernova also offer a variety of stores for all your needs.
Tips for cooking on board
Cooking on a boat can be challenging due to limited space and resources, as well as the fact that you’re on a moving vessel. Here are some useful tips:
- Keep it simple: Focus on dishes that don’t require much prep or cooking time.
- Prep in advance: Some ingredients can be pre-cut or even partially cooked beforehand.
- One-pot meals: Dishes that can be prepared in one pot save space and make cleaning easier.
- Be mindful of water use: Water on board is limited, so be frugal when washing ingredients and dishes.
- Safety first: Always secure dishes and sharp objects, especially while sailing.
- Use local markets: Buy fresh ingredients whenever you have the chance.
Keep it simple
Food is an important aspect of any trip, and on a boat, it can be an experience that enriches your sailing along the Croatian coast. Whether you choose to shop for supplies yourself or use the provisioning service offered by Croatia Yachting Charter, good planning will ensure you have everything you need to enjoy culinary delights during your voyage.
Keep in mind that simpler dishes are often the best option for onboard preparation, and a combination of cooking on the boat and dining in local restaurants gives you the best of both worlds. Don’t forget to explore local specialties and enjoy the fresh ingredients Croatia has to offer.
With good organization and the right provisions, your boat’s kitchen can become a place for creating unforgettable meals that will complement your maritime experience. Croatia, as a Mediterranean country, offers some of the best ingredients in the world – fresh seafood, pasta, fruit and vegetables, and sophisticated wines. Make the most of this abundance and savor every bite during your nautical holiday. Bon voyage and enjoy your meal!
