What Do We Eat at Camp? Sail Caribbean Meals & Food
- Provisions are sourced locally on Tortola, with vessels fully stocked upon arrival, and reprovisioned multiple times during longer programs.
- Students take turns managing the galley, working in pairs to prepare meals from carefully designed, easy-to-follow recipes, fostering teamwork and cooking skills.
- A wide variety of snacks, including fresh fruits, vegetables, chips, and homemade dips, are available between meals to keep everyone energized.
- Sail Caribbean accommodates picky eaters and allergies, offering familiar options and encouraging new food exploration without pressure, ensuring enjoyable mealtimes.
What Do We Eat on a Boat at Sail Caribbean Summer Camp?
Written by Caroline K., Marketing Team
Spending your days sailing under the Caribbean sun and exploring the vibrant world beneath the waves takes plenty of energy—which is why nutritious, satisfying meals are an essential part of every adventure. At Sail Caribbean Summer Camp, where students live aboard 50-foot catamarans while learning to sail, scuba dive, and explore marine science, every day is packed with new experiences. And just like no two adventures are the same, no two meals are either.
Fresh Provisions: How We Keep the Galley Stocked
Though our goal for each day is to learn a new skill, make new friends, and step outside of our comfort zone, what we eat is just as important. In addition to a wide variety of snacks and small bites, fridges and fruit nets are stocked with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and freezers are stocked with a selection of protein options that align with the program’s menu/recipes.
We source our provisions from local stores here on Tortola, helping support the wonderful island we’re proud to call home. When students arrive, each vessel is fully stocked and ready with everything they’ll need for their first meals onboard.
Of course, storage space on a sailboat is limited, so we can only carry enough provisions for the beginning of each adventure. On two-week programs, boats typically reprovision twice while the fleet is docked for refueling and shore time. On three-week programs, they’ll usually reprovision a third time to ensure everyone stays well fed throughout their journey.
“We strategically schedule food orders for the days the store gets their shipment in to ensure everything is fresh. We also take our smaller boats out to the fleet to make smaller deliveries and replenish popular items, like the apples which campers LOVE.“
A Typical Menu on the Water
Managing the Galley: Teamwork and Cooking Skills
Whether you consider yourself a chef, or like many teens, aren’t so familiar with your way around the kitchen, you’ll leave camp with recipes you can’t wait to continue making at home.
Our meals and recipes are carefully designed to be easy and fun for everyone. Life onboard naturally allows teamwork to take over. From sunrise to sunset, it takes each crew member’s role to successfully keep the vessel running. Our daily duty roster allows for this structure and ensures everyone has a job to complete each day of the program. Among those roles, we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner prep, which requires two students to work together and use their creative flair and follow the recipes of the day to prepare a meal for their fellow crew.
While some teens may come on board reluctant to cook, they surprise themselves with what they’re capable of, and the same goes for taking over the helm. The independence that is fostered when students are given the opportunity to step into leadership positions amongst their peers on a liveaboard yacht is truly unique.
FAQ: Sail Caribbean Meals and Snacks
Yes! We offer a variety of snacks and drinks between meals to keep everyone energized and satisfied throughout the day. Our snack selection includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, an assortment of chips, pretzels and crackers, sweet and savory spreads, homemade dips and salsas, granola bars, cookies, and digestive biscuits.
We also have an abundance of Gatorade and ice water to stay hydrated with electrolytes. Snack offerings may vary, but there’s always something delicious to enjoy between scheduled meal times.
Absolutely! Picky eaters are nothing new to us, and we’re experienced in accommodating a wide range of food preferences. Over the years, many Sail Caribbean participants with selective appetites have thrived during their time with us.
Our staff works to ensure there are familiar options available while also encouraging campers to explore new foods at their own pace. It’s not uncommon for participants to discover new favorite dishes, fruits, or vegetables by the end of their program—but there’s never any pressure. We strive to make mealtimes enjoyable, comfortable, and nourishing for everyone.
Yes! One of the highlights of every Sail Caribbean program is our Soda Social on Jost Van Dyke. Campers enjoy a buffet-style dinner featuring traditional island cuisine at Sidney’s Peace & Love before dancing the night away with their fellow campers.
Throughout the program, campers also have plenty of opportunities to sample local food during shore time, whether it’s grabbing a snack, enjoying fresh island treats, or trying authentic Caribbean dishes. Experiencing the local cuisine is all part of the adventure!
