Charter Yacht Brokers are professionals who will assist you in finding the right yacht, crew, and destination for your unforgettable vacation. We attend boat shows and can verify that the crews are reliable and very knowledgeable about the sailing areas. Epic Yacht Charters prides itself by only representing yachts of the highest quality and luxury.
The yacht charter broker is trained in the standard industry charter agreements, contracts, and all legalities of contracts between the client, the clearing house, and the owners of the vessels.
We will protect the funds and handle them through escrow accounts to avoid any fraud. All rules will be described and you will feel comfortable trusting the broker.
To ensure an easy and carefree vacation planned, they will assist in your itinerary planning according to your interests.
If you need accommodation before or after your charter, local knowledge of hotels and villas will be shared. How to get there and transportation will also be discussed and especially when you need to submit your preference sheets about interests and food allergies and likes/dislikes.
Meet Michelle Heyns
Meet Michelle HeynsMichelle’s personal experience with yachts, crews, owners, and yacht managers sets her apart from other charter yacht brokers. Additionally, she participates in major annual charter yacht shows to inspect each yacht and interview each crew personally. As an independent outlet, Michelle’s unbiased, expert advice can often help tip the scales, turning the best vacation into an EPIC journey.
Our #1 goal is to match the yacht and crew that fits the client, identifying your needs to provide the vacation of a lifetime. We’d love to continue booking your vacations for years to come – the ultimate reward is creating lasting relationships and even lifelong friendships. Your friends will be envious when they see your trip, and then they will contact us to help them have the same unforgettable experience.
Charter yacht brokers are charter yacht industry professionals who share a range of vessels with you and are there to help you choose the vessel you prefer. We gather information from you, such as the number of guests, and preferred dates of travel, and determine information including availability and rates. The service is to improve the experience of the guests and is provided at no cost to you!
With over 300 charter weeks and 16+ years of experience as a hostess and charter chef, Michelle has a unique perspective on the industry. She spent 12 years chartering specifically in The British Virgin Islands with her husband Leon and knows every anchorage, every activity spot, every secret sunset viewing beach, and every yacht/crew in the area.
Together they have also chartered in other Caribbean destinations and in the Abacos and the Exuma Cays in the Bahamas. She founded Epic Yacht Charters in 2016 and is now one of the top crewed charter yacht brokers in The Virgin Islands. She understands firsthand the importance of creating a perfect match between her clients and their ideal yacht & crew for an unforgettable sailing vacation. Michelle was inducted in the fall of 2020 as an active member of the prestigious Charter Yacht Broker Association (CYBA).
Many yachts in our Caribbean fleet are fully equipped with dive gear and feature professional dive masters or PADI-certified instructors onboard. This means you can enjoy seamless diving without needing to arrange rendezvous services.
- Complete set of SCUBA gear provided onboard
- Tanks and weights always supplied
- Certified dive guides or instructors included
- Convenient access to world-class dive sites directly from your yacht
Yes! Certified divers can take advanced courses or explore specialty dives such as wreck diving, night diving, or deep dives. Technical dive arrangements may also be available upon request.
Beginners can join resort diving programs, while certified divers can take advanced or specialty courses. For beginners, several yachts offer Resort Diving programs — a quick introduction to SCUBA basics with supervised dives up to 40 feet (12 meters). If you’d like full certification, we can arrange your PADI Open Water Course or even advanced and specialty courses.
Certification process typically includes:
- Online learning (ideally before your trip)
- Shallow water or pool training
- Supervised open water dives
- Final certification upon completion
All courses include:
- Professional PADI-certified instructor
- SCUBA gear, training materials, and certification fees
- Safe training environments in clear, calm waters
Some of the top SCUBA diving sites include:
- RMS Rhone – The Caribbean’s most famous wreck
- Chikuzen & Rocus Wrecks – Legendary artificial reef dives
- The Indians – Perfect for snorkeling and diving
- Beyond the Reef – Artificial reefs including the famous Willy T
- Sheltered bays and coral gardens ideal for training and beginners
Most Caribbean yacht charter activities include comprehensive water sports equipment: snorkeling gear, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, fishing equipment, and inflatable water toys. Premium yachts often feature sea scooters, water skis, wakeboards, and even SCUBA diving equipment with certified instructors.
The Caribbean is a paradise for water lovers, and your yacht comes equipped with everything you need. Popular activities include:
- Snorkeling and scuba diving at vibrant reefs filled with tropical marine life.
- Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, perfect for calm bays and lagoons.
- Jet skiing and water toys, from inflatable tubes to towable bananas for added excitement.
- Swimming and floating platforms that create your own private beach club at sea.
- Fishing gear for those who want to try their hand at catching dinner.
- Underwater sea scooters, which let you glide effortlessly beneath the waves.
Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or prefer a leisurely paddle, water sports are a highlight of every Caribbean yacht charter.
Discover our luxury crewed yacht charters with premium water sports equipment.
Life onboard your yacht is as exciting as time spent ashore. Many luxury yachts offer:
- Outdoor cinema experiences where movies are projected under the stars.
- Gourmet cooking classes with your private chef.
- Wine tasting sessions featuring regional and international vintages.
- Spa and wellness services, from massages on deck to beauty treatments.
- Yoga and fitness equipment for guests who enjoy staying active.
- Gaming and entertainment systems for family fun nights.
- Professional photography services to capture unforgettable memories.
These experiences transform your yacht into a floating resort, ensuring that every moment is enjoyable. Discover what to expect on your charter including gourmet dining and personalized service from our experienced crews.
Every island in the Caribbean offers unique opportunities, from the British Virgin Islands and Bahamas to St. Martin and the Grenadines. Popular shore activities include:
- Sunset sailing with champagne toasts.
- Stargazing sessions far from city lights.
- Beach barbecues and picnics organized by your crew on secluded beaches.
- Island hiking adventures with trails leading to waterfalls, cliffs, and panoramic views.
- Cultural site visits to explore history, music, and art.
- Local market tours for fresh produce and handcrafted souvenirs.
- Restaurant reservations at hidden gems or Michelin-recommended dining spots.
- Private beach setups, where your crew creates a personalized retreat with umbrellas, loungers, and refreshments.
- Shore excursions let you experience the Caribbean beyond the yacht while enjoying the support of your knowledgeable crew.
These personalized touches ensure your yacht vacation feels truly one-of-a-kind. Contact our team to customize your perfect shore excursion schedule.
Family charters are especially memorable because yachts cater to younger guests with:
- Supervised water sports tailored for kids.
- Beach treasure hunts designed to spark imagination.
- Educational nature programs focused on marine life and conservation.
- Swimming lessons with crew guidance in safe, calm waters.
- Arts and crafts sessions to keep little hands busy.
- Gaming consoles and entertainment systems for downtime fun.
- Parents can relax knowing that activities are both safe and engaging for children of all ages.
Family charters are one of our specialties. Read more about planning your family yacht vacation with children of all ages.
No experience is necessary! Your crew provides instruction and supervision for all Caribbean yacht charter activities. Whether you’re trying paddleboarding for the first time or want to improve your snorkeling skills, the crew ensures everyone feels comfortable and safe.
Ready to book your Caribbean yacht charter? Contact us or explore our complete booking FAQ for more information about planning your vacation.
Yes! Your professional captain and crew will work closely with you to create a personalized itinerary of Caribbean yacht charter activities that balance high-energy water sports with relaxing shore excursions and onboard entertainment.
Yes, children as young as 10 can participate in junior PADI programs while on a yacht charter. These courses teach safe, supervised diving skills, often starting in shallow water. Families can enjoy diving together under the guidance of certified instructors.
Most crewed yachts that offer SCUBA diving include high-quality SCUBA equipment onboard, so you don’t need to bring bulky items like tanks or weights. However, many divers prefer to bring their own mask or dive computer for comfort and familiarity. Equipment onboard is well maintained and regularly serviced.
Top fishing areas include the North Drop (famous for marlin), Anegada waters for bonefish and permit, and Cooper Island drop-offs for yellowtail. Your crew will help choose the best spots for the season.
The BVI lobster season runs from November through July. Lobster harvesting is closed from August through October each year.
Get lobster season rules and local regulations in our Complete BVI Yacht Fishing Guide.
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Pelagic species such as tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish are always considered safe to catch. Some reef fish may carry ciguatera toxins, so our crew will guide you on safe species.
For a full list of species, safe zones, and fishing tips, visit our Complete BVI Yacht Fishing Guide
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Many yachts supply basic equipment, but avid anglers often bring their own rods and reels. Popular gear includes rigged lures, feather jigs, silver spoons, and sabiki rigs for baitfish.
See full equipment recommendations in our Complete BVI Yacht Fishing Guide
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Fishing is a popular activity on BVI yacht charters, but you’ll need the right permits and to follow local rules. All guests who plan to fish during a BVI yacht charter must have a valid BVI fishing permit. Your crew or the Epic Yacht Charters team can arrange BVI fishing licenses for guests in advance to ensure you comply with local regulations, and they’ll guide you on equipment and safe fishing practices.
Included in your luxury yacht charter is the service of a professional experienced captain and chef. Some yachts also have deckhands and stewardesses at your service. Your crew are experts, outstanding cuisine served by your trained private chef from a small galley, and safety, security, and responsibility when sailing or motoring by your licensed captain. Before your charter begins, the captain will assess your needs and design the perfect itinerary for your vacation while your chef designs a menu for your unforgettable week aboard. All watersport activities are in their control and they make sure that you get instruction on the use of plenty of different water toys, including SCUBA diving if offered.
The qualifications for the crew to operate the yachts are very high and we interview them to find out if they would be the right match for you and your group.
The charter yacht industry has monohull sailboats, sailing catamarans, power catamarans, and motor yachts.
We recommend the best yachts available to you for the preferred time of your trip. We bring specials and yacht features to your attention. Most of the yachts have a different layout and you may want to select the best layout for your group. For example, children may want bunk beds, singles may want double beds and you may want an aft deck exit from your primary cabin. Some require a business desk and others need more space to lounge on the foredeck seats.
Motor yachts and power catamarans are faster and will get you to your daily stopovers so that you can spend more time ashore or at anchor in a beautiful bay.
The exotic destinations make your charter trip very picturesque.
The largest part of our crewed yacht fleet is in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the neighboring US Virgin Islands (USVI).
The Bahamas (Exuma Cays) are also an exciting destination where we recommend shallow water sailing in the summer season.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines are ideal for the low season when yachts are moving to the south to avoid hurricane weather.
Does an all-inclusive yacht charter sound like your dream vacation? Let us help you make that dream a reality! Epic Yacht Charters offer access to the best sailing or motor catamarans for vacations in the Virgin Islands and other Caribbean destinations.
Please contact us and ask how we can help you find the right boat and crew for your next unforgettable all-inclusive vacation. Thank You.
