How to stock your boat for long cruises or multi-day anchoring adventures with help from the professionals at Dockside Pros — and smart tools like OurGroceries.
Provisioning your boat before a cruise — be it a weekend anchored off Catalina or a longer bluewater journey — is one of the most important steps in setting yourself up for a smooth and safe experience. For Southern California boaters, the region’s vibrant coastal network offers plenty of marinas, chandleries, and grocery stores — but once you’re away from port, your planning becomes your pantry.
Cruisers departing from places like San Diego, Dana Point, Marina del Rey, or Santa Barbara often enjoy easy access to stores and fresh markets ahead of a trip. Still, having a clear provisioning plan is essential. Start by creating a detailed inventory of meals, snacks, drinks, and supplies based on your expected days at sea, your crew size, and storage capacity. Remember that provisioning goes beyond the galley. While food and drink are the heart of provisioning, boaters need more than groceries. Pack enough potable water, safety gear, personal items (like sunscreen, fuses, medications, and foul weather clothing), and navigation tools such as charts and GPS. For cooking, check your propane or fuel levels and bring all necessary cookware. A collapsible trolley is also a handy tool for transporting provisions from your vehicle to the dock. It’s also smart to bring a well-stocked first-aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries and — if you’re going to be out for multiple nights — plan for waste management and sanitation.
But also, think ahead about dietary preferences, refrigeration space, and how often you’ll want to cook. Even for short overnight trips, it’s smart to plan a few easy-to-prepare meals and stock up on non-perishables like pasta, rice, and canned goods.
When it comes to provisioning for multi-day cruises or extended time at anchor, boaters often underestimate just how much planning it truly takes. According to Jeremy Katz, founder of Dockside Pros, one of the most common oversights he sees is failing to calculate realistic needs for water, fuel, and fresh produce. “Boaters also often forget to check expiration dates or temperature storage requirements, leading to spoilage,” Katz explained. “Proper provisioning means planning per person, per day—with backups in case weather delays extend the stay.”
Additionally — and this might be a given — make sure you check your boat system. Ensure your boat is as ready as your cooler. Double-check your dinghy, refill your fuel, and top off your propane. These items often get overlooked in the excitement of a departure. If your anchoring plans take you far from marinas, make note of the nearest refueling points in advance.
To avoid last-minute stress, Katz recommends boaters place their provisioning orders at least 5 to 7 days ahead of time, particularly for specialty items or large group outings. “Providing your crew size, dietary preferences, cruising itinerary, refrigeration capacity, and arrival time helps us prepare seamless deliveries,” he said. The more details a boater shares upfront, the smoother the process is when it’s time to load up and go.
In port, you’ll find major grocery stores close to many marinas, but don’t forget specialty shops. Many SoCal harbors are near Mexican grocers, seafood markets, or farmers’ markets offering regional flavor and fresh produce. Using a collapsible cart to haul groceries from your car to the dock is a great time-saver, especially in larger marinas like Long Beach or Ventura. Spices, shelf-stable sauces, coffee, and dried herbs go a long way in keeping meals enjoyable while underway.
But even experienced boaters forget the little things that can make or break comfort on the water. “Lemons, limes, zip-lock bags, fresh herbs, condiments, and backup water containers top the list,” Katz said. “Many also forget comfort items like paper towels, sunscreen, batteries, and trash bags. Once you’re anchored, small essentials suddenly become big problems if overlooked.”
For those with dietary restrictions or special preferences, Dockside Pros has built its reputation on customization and care. Katz emphasized that every order is tailored, thanks to partnerships with top provisioning suppliers who specialize in gluten-free, vegan, allergy-sensitive, and other dietary needs. “Whether it’s celiac-safe goods, plant-based protein, or nut-free snacks, we source with care to avoid cross-contamination,” he explained. “Clear communication on allergies ensures safety and satisfaction onboard.”
For boaters traveling farther down the coast toward Baja, north to the Channel Islands, or planning to hop across to Catalina for multiple days, a professional provisioning company may be worth considering. These services specialize in supplying vessels with everything from groceries and alcohol to cleaning products and medical kits. They often deliver directly to your slip, saving time and ensuring top-quality goods. Companies such as Yacht Supplies Online, Provisioning Partners, or Dockside Pros serve many Southern California ports and offer both basic and luxury provisioning packages.
And when it comes to convenience, Dockside Pros lives up to its name. For boaters arriving at marinas, dockside delivery is part of the service. “Provisioning partners in our network coordinate direct dockside delivery timed with your ETA,” Katz said. “We track marina logistics, berth numbers, and storage needs to ensure perishables are kept fresh. It’s a concierge-level experience — no lifting, no waiting, just hop aboard and cruise.”
For boaters provisioning on their own for the first time, Katz offered a practical tip: plan your meals in reverse. “Start with your last day at sea and work backward to minimize waste and maximize freshness,” he advised. He also stressed the importance of prioritizing non-perishable items and double-checking your galley’s storage capacity before you shop. “And always pack snacks; hunger doesn’t follow a schedule.”
There’s also a big difference between provisioning for a weekend getaway and prepping for a longer offshore passage. “Weekend provisioning can lean heavier on fresh items and ready-to-eat options, while offshore passages demand shelf-stable goods and meal prep flexibility,” Katz explained. “Water, fuel, and medical supplies take higher priority the longer you plan to be off-grid. Think resilience over convenience on longer hauls.”
Provisioning companies typically require 48 to 72 hours of lead time for custom orders, especially if you’re requesting organic produce, dietary-specific items, or hard-to-find beverages. And not every marina has the infrastructure to support provisioning, so it’s wise to contact your destination harbormaster in advance to coordinate deliveries.
In Southern California, Katz pointed to key locations where provisioning services like his are in especially high demand. “Santa Barbara, Avalon, and San Diego are high-demand provisioning hubs, especially before Channel Islands or Baja-bound trips,” he said. His advice? Don’t wait until the last minute. “These locations get busy fast, so early planning is essential.” Boaters can also explore Dockside Pros’ yacht provisioning directory to find vetted companies and resources in these popular stops.
Several apps can assist with provisioning planning. Argo is useful for finding points of interest like fuel docks, restaurants, and marinas, and often includes user-submitted tips about local resources. OurGroceries allows you to manage a shared provisioning list on your phone, offering boaters a convenient way to stay organized while prepping for long trips.
In an interview with The Log, Lawrence Kesteloot, CEO of OurGroceries, explained how the app helps simplify provisioning for boaters. “The ‘Our’ in OurGroceries is central to our app,” he said. “Everyone involved in provisioning a trip can use OurGroceries to create shopping lists. When one person adds an item to a list, everyone else on the team will immediately see it.” Real-time synchronization makes the app ideal for crews or families working together, and boaters can create multiple lists tailored to different stores or even different parts of the boat.
Many users have also adapted the app for boating by maintaining reusable templates for different trips. “You could have one for short trips, one for international trips, etc. It simplifies subsequent trips because the template only needs to be created once,” Kesteloot said. For those new to the app, he encouraged users to think beyond groceries. “Despite the ‘Groceries’ in our name, our users have found many other uses for instantly shared lists,” he added, including hardware store items, wine lists, and even to-do lists for onboard projects.
The app works offline as well, which is particularly helpful for those provisioning in remote locations or without consistent internet access. While changes won’t sync until an internet connection is available, all edits merge seamlessly when you reconnect.
For cruisers setting out from Southern California, marinas like Cabrillo Way, Oceanside, or Dana Point offer access to provisioning hubs, but the further you venture, the more essential planning becomes. A spreadsheet with your provisioning list, contact numbers for local providers, and delivery lead times can help reduce stress while underway.
At the end of the day, Katz believes smart provisioning is about more than just groceries — it’s about elevating the entire boating experience. “With Dockside Pros, you’re not just ordering groceries — you’re getting access to a nationwide network of experts who understand marine logistics,” he said. To connect with local professionals, browse Dockside Pros’ yacht charter provisioning partners and marine concierge services and simplify your next voyage.
Stocking up for an afternoon sail or provisioning for a month in the Sea of Cortez, the effort you put into preparing will always reward you later. From San Diego to Ventura, your provisioning strategy is just as important as your float plan. Check your list, stow your goods, and enjoy the freedom of cruising California’s coast with confidence.
For more information on Dockside Pro’s, please visit https://docksidepros.com.
