Absolutely exceptional experience from start; to finish. Five days with Captain Morne and Chef Bryan sailing around St Barts, St Martin, and Anguilla aboard the Atlas Heysea was simply not enough! Incredible meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a myriad of food options. Truly attentive captain and chef willing to share their knowledge constantly. Real amenities that only accentuate the fun like the megachill pad, seabob’s, eFoil board, snorkeling gear, and SUPs. Spacious enough for 12 adults. Beautifully finished boat inside and out.

We were part of a three-couple sailing trip in the BVls with Chrisjan and Cleona in April aboard Bavarian Bliss.

Their primary yacht is Morningstar, but just 24 hours before our arrival, Morningstar required unexpected upgrades that temporarily took it out of service. The Authentic Yacht Charters team truly stepped up. Captain Kerry graciously allowed Chrisjan to captain her boat so we could still enjoy the trip we had planned.

We later learned that the unloading and reloading between boats was no small feat, yet it was handled behind the scenes with such care and professionalism that we never felt the disruption. That level of dedication is exactly why we will be lifelong customers of Authentic Yacht Charters.

The trip itself was unforgettable. Chrisjan is an exceptional captain who trains sailors professionally, and his knowledge and skill are outstanding. He also welcomes guests to be as involved in the sailing experience as they wish, taking the time to teach and explain the boat and the art of captaining-something we thoroughly enjoyed.

Cleona is a phenomenal chef. Every meal was beautiful, creative, and delicious. The boat was extremely comfortable, with great accommodations and wonderfully comfortable beds.

The trip was especially meaningful as it coincided with our 30th wedding anniversary. Chrisjan presided over our vow renewals, and Cleona created an incredible wedding cake, making the celebration truly special.

Beyond all of this, we genuinely loved getting to know Chrisjan and Cleona-they are wonderful people, and it felt like sailing with family.

This is a trip we will never forget, and when we book our next one, we will absolutely book with Chrisjan and Cleona again.

From April 11 to April 18 my 2 sisters, my niece and I had a magical experience aboard the Morning Star. The Yacht was elegant, pristine and immaculate with comfortable private cabins. For 7 days we sailed through secluded bays and inlets, little known islands and open turquoise seas. Swimming, snorkeling, hiking and relaxing were daily pleasures. But in reality, it was the captain and first mate, Chrisjan and Cleona Kotze that made this trip so unforgettable. Chrisjan’s navigational skills and knowledge of the islands was amazing, I knew I was in capable hands. Cleona presented us with gourmet meals, snacks, beverages and both provided delightful conversation and company. Our every request was fulfilled immediately. From daily itinerary briefings,

“Captain’s afternoon cocktails”, and the history of each place we visited, this trip checked every box. I will remember it

We just got back from a 10 day cruise throughout the BVI’s. We traveled with our daughter and son-in-law’s family. It was a great and fun trip and we made lots of wonderful memories and saw many beautiful sights.

Captain Chrisjan and his beautiful and charming wife, Chef Cleona, made sure we were very comfortable while sailing with them on the “Rum Runner”. I cannot say enough about Chrisjan and Cleona. They are a decent, caring, fun loving and knowledgeable couple. I couldn’t have ask for a better trip. Being with family, on a beautiful boat, with a fun crew, outstanding food and drink and cruising the BVI’s…wow!

Sorry Authentic Yacht Charters, we adopted your Captain and chef.

Can’t wait to do it again! Thank you for making dreams come true.

Amazing week on an incredible vessel with the best captain and Crew ever! Chrisjan and Cleona are fantastic.

Beyond competent, above and beyond with hospitality and dining. They catered our trip for the family and everyone had the best week of their life. If you’re considering a trip like this I would highly recommend this Crew without hesitation!

My mom, her two sisters, and I sailed in BVI with Chrisjan and Cleona in April on Morningstar. It was truly a trip of a lifetime, but mainly because of Chrisjan and Cleona! cannot express our gratitude for everything they did for us that week. My mom had some mobility issues on our trip, and they went above and beyond to make accommodations for her with safety being their #1 priority. The food was absolutely amazing! Cleona made the most beautiful and delicious meals have ever experienced. The boat was extremely comfortable, and the beds were great. We loved getting to know Chrisjan and Cleona, and it felt like they were a part of our family. I will never forget this trip, and when we book our next one, we will 100% book with Chrisjan and Cleona!

We had the best Chef Cleona and Captain Chrisjan Kotze. They were very welcoming and overly attentive.

Cleona prepared the most wonderful meals, amazing she could do that on these boats. Chrisjan provided us we an excellent itinerary and history of the islands we visited. We had friends who were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary and Captain Chrisjan even officiated a renewal of their Vows. Cleona even made an incredible wedding cake for them. Excellent crew – can’t say enough good things about them. Our original boat, the MorningStar,had mechanical issues but they were able to move us over to Bavarian Bliss within 24 hours so that our sailboat trip could continue as planned. Everything went off as planned and other than having a different boat, the trip was fabulous and the crew exceptional. We will definitely be booking another trip with Cleona and Chrisjan.

Our week in the BVIs aboard Rum Runner with Captain Christjan and Chef Cleona was nothing short of incredible. This was our second charter, and it far exceeded every expectation we had.

Captain Christjan was outstanding his knowledge of the islands, thoughtful itinerary planning, and professionalism made the entire experience seamless, while still keeping things fun and relaxed. We always felt like we were in the best hands.

Chef Cleona absolutely blew us away with her cooking. Every meal from breakfast to lunch to dinner was delicious and beautifully prepared. Her special South African dessert was such a unique and memorable touch!

Together, they made the perfect team. They anticipated every need with a smile and truly made us feel cared for the entire week. By the end of the trip, they felt more like family than crew.

To call this trip “perfect” almost doesn’t do it justice. If you’re considering a charter in the BVIs, this is the team you want. We’re already looking forward to booking again and hope to be back onboard with Christjan and Cleona!

We have been chartering boats for the past 5 years. This year we booked with Authentic and it was amazing.

We have two families and spend 7 nights on the water. Chrisjan and Cleona our captain and chef took amazing care of both families. We saw all the sites and wasn’t disappointed about with one thing. Highly recommend.

Very professional, very clean and amazing food.

Amazing week on an incredible vessel with the best captain and Crew ever! Chrisjan and Cleona are fantastic.

Beyond competent, above and beyond with hospitality and dining. They catered our trip for the family and everyone had the best week of their life. If you’re considering a trip like this I would highly recommend this Crew without hesitation!

What a experience! We were on Atlas, a gorgeous 60′ sailing catamaran. We had an amazing crew lead by Captain Kelton and Chef Jay (renamed by my kids as Jay money) The boat was set up perfectly for our large group, with plenty of room for everyone. We wanted for nothing the whole trip. We were taken to all the hot spots for snorkeling, exploring caves, jumping from rock cliffs, and dipping our toes in white sandy beaches. The food was amazing, everyday all day Chef Jay- money was on it with awesome meals and perfect desserts. Not only was this trip about my birthday, 4 boys graduating high school, but also my parents 40th wedding Anniversary, and this boat and crew made it amazing. Thanks again to ATLAS, and it’s crew

Our experience aboard The beautiful Hey Sea Atlas with Captain Kelton and Chef Jay was unforgettable, epic, amazing and over the top. This crew went above, beyond and did anything we could have asked for and more to make our experience amazing and over the top. From the best anniversary celebration in 40 years to surprise birthday cakes and candles specially made for each individual guest. They made all different ages guests have an amazing and memorable experience. They were hands on the entire trip and worked very hard to ensure our trip was everything we could have hoped for and more. If could do this trip all over again I would choose the same crew. The only thing that would make it better would’ve been a longer trip. For smooth sailing and meals you will love, I highly recommend The Atlas, Captain Kelton and Chef Jay.

We spent a week on the Atlas catamaran as a large group of 10, with Jay & Kelton as the crew. Jay is a fabulous chef with a great amount of tasty meals served to us. He also suggested some new music for my listening pleasure. Captain Kelton did an amazing job, he is very knowledgeable and accommodating. These guys did an amazing job, excellent service.
They kept us well fed, entertained and showed us some great areas to snorkel and see sunsets.
With a group of ten, these guys were constantly on the go and they kept a good attitude the whole time.
If I were to go on another catamaran and needed a crew, these would be the guys I would want.
The boat was nice sized and comfortable for all ten of us. 60ft long.
Also, there were plenty of toys to play with in the water paddle boards, snorkel and masks e.Foil.
If you want a trip of a lifetime, this is a pretty great way to go.

Still thinking about our week aboard Morningstar with crew Chrisjan and Cleona cruising the Virgin Islands ( and wishing I was back on that cat!) — easily one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on the water! From the moment my sisters and I stepped aboard it was clear this was going to be a luxurious vacation.
Christian and Cleona greeted us like old friends and made us feel very welcome. This husband and wife crew were absolute standouts — warm, attentive, and working effortlessly in sync. You could feel how much they genuinely love what they do, and it made the whole experience feel so personal rather than just transactional.
Aaand the food? Completely next level! Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and SO beautifully presented: Cleona’scuisine honestly rivals some of the best meals I’ve had in any restaurant. It’s rare to be this impressed by dining on a boat, but Cleona absolutely nailed it.
The service was flawless. Somehow Chrisjan and Cleona anticipated our every need before we even had to ask, striking that perfect balance between being attentive and giving us space to relax and soak it all in.
Our catamaran, Morningstar was immaculate and spacious, very well kept. We couldn’t have asked for a better captain — Chrisjan did a perfect job planning our itinerary and making sure I got to do some hiking and we all loved the snorkeling.
This vacation was so great, I definitely will do this again, and I will book with Authentic Yacht Charters!

The ATLAS boat crew is the best. If you are looking for the greatest time to the BVI’s, this is the one. Captain Nick and Dasha are truly the best. We will be coming back many more times

Great trip! Our captain did a wonderful job working around high winds. Dasha made wonderful meals for us!

We were on a 5 day cruise on a 60ft catamaran called Atlas, beautiful yacht. Captin Nick took great care of us and Dasha is an excellent chef. Will hook again.

This trip to the British Virgin Islands was truly exceptional from start to finish. The location was breathtaking, the accommodations were perfect, and every detail felt thoughtfully curated.

Nick, our captain, was outstanding – knowledgeable, professional, and more than accommodating. He made us feel completely at ease and went above and beyond to ensure our experience was seamless and enjoyable.

And then there was Dasa… wow. Her food was literally chef’s kiss. Every meal was incredible, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious. Do yourself a favor and request the tuna poke bowl.

The combination of stunning scenery, impeccable service, and warm hospitality made this a trip we’ll be talking about for years with our friends. I can’t recommend this experience enough. If you’re considering a trip to the BVI, Atlas is the way to do it.

Our seven-day catamaran trip with Captain Nicholas and Chef D was nothing short of spectacular, and they truly made the entire experience.

From the very beginning, Nicholas was incredibly helpful with logistics, including recommending a water taxi so we could maximize our time on the boat with them—which ended up being the perfect call. The meal preference form was another standout; it allowed Chef D to absolutely work her magic. What she created in such a small galley—with limited space and storage—was genuinely impressive. Every meal felt thoughtful, creative, and delicious, and it’s hard to believe what she pulled off day after day.

Captain Nicholas went above and beyond in every way. From making the beds each morning, setting the table for meals, and always making sure everyone was hydrated (or enjoying a perfectly made old fashioned or margarita), to the way he connected with our two boys—it was incredible. He taught them diving techniques that even I, with 25 years of diving experience, hadn’t learned before. It was a reminder of how valuable it is to dive with someone new who brings a different level of expertise.

What really stood out was how Nicholas challenged our boys—encouraging them to be stronger, more confident, and capable—while also having zero problem being a kid right alongside them. Towing them, laughing with them, and fully joining in on the fun created moments we’ll never forget. Watching their smiles all week was the best Christmas gift we could have asked for.

It honestly felt like being on a boat with a full crew, even though there were only two of them. Their level of care, pride, and attention to detail is rare these days. You can tell they both genuinely love what they do, and it shows in everything they do.

If you’re booking through this company, I would absolutely recommend requesting Captain Nicholas and Chef D specifically. They didn’t just run the trip—they made it unforgettable.

From the moment we stepped on board, this trip felt effortless — and that is entirely because of Captain Nicholas and Chef D. Every detail, every destination, every plan, and every adventure ran smoothly. We never had to worry about a single thing, which allowed us to truly relax and enjoy the experience.

Captain Nicholas was exceptional. Beyond his skill and professionalism, what stood out most was how incredible he was with our kids. He kept them engaged, entertained, and genuinely happy all week — fishing, diving, dinghy rides, and nonstop fun. He brought so much energy, heart, and care to our family, and created memories we will be talking about for years to come.

Chef D made this feel like a true vacation. Not having to think about meals at all was such a gift, and every single meal was outstanding. She went above and beyond with her talent, warmth, and kindness, and made us feel completely taken care of from morning to night. Her food, creativity, and presence truly set the tone for the entire trip.

Together, Captain Nicholas and Chef D created an experience that was seamless, joyful, and deeply special for our family. We are incredibly grateful and cannot recommend this crew highly enough.

This was the second trip to the BVI’s for most of us and the third for one couple. Nick and Dasa planned and coordinated an amazing trip. They adjusted plans to accommodate us and changes in the weather. Dasa’s meals were simply amazing. We never went hungry.

Everything about our vacation was perfect!! John Dewhurst from Yacht Vacations was fabulous to work with and extremely helpful. He checked in every step of the way! Our boat Southern Queen was beautiful and exactly as described online, plenty of room for our group of 5 couples. Nick the Captain and Dasa the chef were amazing. Nick worked with us to create an action packed but also relaxing itinerary for our trip which was only 4 nights, so much shorter than normal. We can’t wait to go back for a longer charter next time!

The Crew, Nick and Dasa, were so accommodating and great people that always had our safety and interests at heart, along with spectacular food. Our group had an incredible experience and I would highly recommend!