
Meet Michelle Heyns
Experience Counts—Michelle is well educated to guide you on a journey that will lead to the trip of a lifetime!

Take a vacation aboard a luxury charter yacht in The Caribbean, The Virgin Islands, The Bahamas.
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 8 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).
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Deep Dive
Prior to her successful yachting career, Michelle obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s in Nurse-Midwifery. After a destiny-driven decision in 2004, Michelle came to the British Virgin Islands for her own first chartered yacht vacation. She fell in love with her captain—Leon Heyns, whom she later married, and rest shall we say… is history. For Michelle & Leon, it was love at first sight. They started chartering together as captain and chef soon after. She willingly gave up her career delivering babies in favor of the adventure lifestyle of yachting. Over the years they built a successful charter career and she has never looked back. After they survived Hurricane Irma on Tortola, BVI in 2017, they were fortunate to move and keep working from home for the last 4 years. Currently, they live in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina and are happy to be near the ocean again.
With experience in managing a yacht and a few villas in the BVI, she is very confident with asset management. Her top priority is creating well-executed crewed yacht vacations. She has experienced every angle of the industry and personally attends annual boat shows each year to meet yachts/crews new to the scene and to see what is new with her long-standing favorites. Frequent trips to the BVI keep her updated with current information.
Together with Leon, she has been all over the world and has sailed over at least 10,000 nautical miles. Michelle has worked in charter areas from the East Coast of the United States to the Leeward and Windward Islands of St Maarten, Saba, Anguilla & St. Barts, and on to the Bahamas in the Exumas Cays and the Abaco Islands.
Michelle is also well versed in the stunning sailing vessels themselves. On several occasions, she has been responsible for creating layouts and well-appointed designs inside and out to outfit each yacht for its journey to becoming your vacation home. She has seen a yacht from the factory in France all the way to successful charter employment in the Caribbean – coordinating every fine detail from luxury fittings to the crew while Leon was sailing the yacht across the Atlantic ocean.
Michelle also happens to be an exceptional chef – she attended the famed Ashburton School for charter chefs in the United Kingdom and continues to pull out her chef’s knives when asked. She has also completed many dives with her divemaster husband after completing her PADI open water certification.
Leon started his yachting career after 15 years in the South African Navy. He sailed on a survey vessel to Antarctica twice. He then sailed across the Atlantic from Cape Town, South Africa to Rio De Janeiro in a 30’ sailboat. In 1999, fate brought him to the BVI where he started chartering with The Moorings. Shortly after he started in the charter industry he obtained his Yacht Master license. In 2004 he was the first captain of the first Lagoon 440 in the BVI – no other catamarans offered a flybridge before that. Leon and Michelle moved onto a Lagoon 500 in the BVI right after getting married on the beach on Peter Island in 2008. This catamaran also sailed through the Bahamas on a 3-week charter and up to the East coast of the USA to NYC. Leon then sailed it back to the BVI via Bermuda. In 2012 he was given the chance to sail a brand new Lagoon 560 catamaran from Bordeaux France to the Caribbean and onward to Miami for the boat show. This month-long journey was forever life-changing and just cemented his love for the sea. He is also a keen photographer and Scuba Divemaster.
After their successful yacht charter career, Michelle and Leon decided to add more skills to their resume and moved to work on a private island in the Exuma Cays of the Bahamas. Working for a lovely family and all their friends, they learned everything about chartering on land. From provisioning the entire island with food, beverages, and parts needed for maintenance, they worked as a team to satisfy everyone’s needs. During the 2 years that they spent there, they explored many beautiful beaches, dived some amazing sites, and learned a lot about the local culture and customs of the Bahamas. A few favorites are snorkeling at Jeep Reef, exploring the Exuma Land and Sea Park, and sailing across clear blue waters.
They are so good at helping their clients plan their yacht vacations because Leon & Michelle love to travel. It is their passion and they enjoy seeing the wonderful places the world has to offer. During the last 15 years together, they have explored many countries. One of their many favorites is a 10-day self-drive tour around Iceland. They have taken a cruise ship to Alaska via the inside passage and have hiked and biked all around Europe. Seeing the Aurora Borealis for Leon was a first and snowmobiling onto a frozen lake to snap that special shot comes naturally to him as he is a very talented photographer. Michelle loves to plan their next trip and she is very good at getting it right. Dog sledding with huskies in the Lapland of Sweden is hard to beat, but they are just as content walking through soft snow falling in Central Park, New York City. They have rented cars and drove along the fjords of Norway and explored the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains and the splendor of Whistler, Banff, and Jasper. Another favorite is an African safari with 2 game drives per day at a game reserve in Sabi-Sands. They are adventurous eaters and enjoy meals from all cultures and exotic lands. Excising in the outdoors is an addiction and they are attracted to all kinds of water sports and finding new trails in the mountains. Zip-lining through the rainforest in Costa Rica and learning about the flora and fauna on a guided hike along hanging bridges and waterfalls was an experience both are still talking about and will no doubt be re-visiting such beauty. Scuba Diving is one of Leon’s favorite water sports and Michelle often joins in to see the beauty of the underwater world.
South Africa is still close to Leon’s heart as he was born in Cape Town. Michelle enjoys the family reunions held often in Northern Wisconsin, where she hails from.
Michelle has been active in the Charter Yacht Communities and Organizations and is proud to belong to a group of prestigious associations. She is so excited to help you book your EPIC vacation of a lifetime! About Epic VI
Reviews
See what others are saying about their experience with Epic Yacht Charters…
- Matt C4/27/2022
Flawless Service - Epic Yacht Charters is the best! This was our second charter with them in less than a year and Michelle... read moreEpic Yacht Charters is the best! This was our second charter with them in less than a year and Michelle makes the entire process seamless. She is the best in the industry and is very responsive to emails, calls, etc. even on weekends. She truly cares for her clients and always makes sure you book the best boat with the best crew. It's nice to work with someone so passionate about her business. read less
Cheryl E3/24/2022Fabulous Sailing Adventure - Our week sailing the British Virgin Islands on Segundo Viento far exceeded our expectations. This was one of the most... read moreOur week sailing the British Virgin Islands on Segundo Viento far exceeded our expectations. This was one of the most awesome trips that we have taken - relaxing yet exhilarating, luxury while barefoot, and structured while sailing wherever our captain and the wind took us.
The yacht itself is spectacular and beautiful. The design of the exterior and interior spaces is luxurious and efficient with every detail considered. The yacht was spacious for our family of five adults (plus two crew members). We had communal space for food and games, but anyone could retreat to a private space either in their bedroom or in one of the comfortable outdoor lounging areas. We loved sitting on the flybridge while sailing, retreating there for happy hour before dinner, and stargazing at night.
Our trip began with Michelle Heynes of Epic Yacht Charters, who was very helpful, informative, and readily available to answer a question. She offered her tips on questions including Covid restrictions and our water taxi/customs entry into the BVI and back into the USVI. Her assistance made everything work like clockwork. We are impressed with her knowledge and professionalism.
We were greeted on the BVI dock by Captain Lee Adams and Chef (and First Mate) Tyler Dawson. Both gentlemen were very personable, communicative and competent. Their banter together was entertaining, and we quickly felt like they were part of our extended family. Lee and Tyler were excellent team players, each helping the other while attending to us. Both had studied our Preferences Sheet, and worked behind the scenes to implement them perfectly.
Captain Lee planned the itinerary and activities taking our desires into account. We discovered small quiet bays that were excellent for swimming, snorkeling, water sports, and even beach walking. Each day was a new adventure in a new bay with new things to do and see. Lee is an excellent tour guide while professionally sailing a 64 foot vessel.
The meals planned and prepared by Chef Tyler were awesome - we never expected the quality of food that could come out of Chef Tyler's compact galley kitchen. Three excellent meals per day, plus amazing snacks. Tyler had studied our preferences for Caribbean cuisine and he truly enjoyed preparing them and discussing them with us.
Lee and Tyler were also respectful of our privacy and family gatherings. However, within a day or two, Lee and Tyler were readily welcomed into our after-dinner discussions and games. They were delightful to be with.
In summary, vacationing with your adult children is a gift from God, but doing it on Segundo Viento (with the assistance of Michelle, Lee and Tyler) made our journey a luxurious trip-of-a-lifetime. We highly recommend this experience. read lessLinda3/17/2022From start to finish, the best... This was the best vacation ever. Michelle from Epic is the best in the business and made booking painless and... read moreThis was the best vacation ever. Michelle from Epic is the best in the business and made booking painless and seamless. Her boat recommendation was spot on. We have already booked another trip for next year. read less
- Kelly M3/05/2022
Epic Yacht Charters is the best of the best for a BVI trip! - We couldn’t have asked for a better vacation! Michelle made sure all our needs were covered and made sure we... read moreWe couldn’t have asked for a better vacation! Michelle made sure all our needs were covered and made sure we didn’t miss any COVID protocols, etc. We felt so prepared for the trip. This was our second time using them. Michelle matched us with an AMAZING crew and a beautiful boat. Jamie, Susannah and Ariel were hands down the best and the My Ty boat was gorgeous and had so many fun toys for us. Epic Yacht Charters is highly respected in the BVI and we would hands down use them again for any of our trips. Our worries were all handled by them so we could fully enjoy our vacation. read less
Ashley T3/01/2022Book Your Next Trip with Epic Yacht Charters! - Michelle was amazing from the beginning to the end of our trip. She was extremely responsive and her knowledge... read moreMichelle was amazing from the beginning to the end of our trip. She was extremely responsive and her knowledge from previously working on a charter showed. Even while on charter, Michelle was checking up with us to make sure everything was to our liking or if there were any issues she could address. With COVID, the requirements for travel were always changing and Michelle was on top of it and would notify us as soon as the changes occurred. Booking this type of trip can be nerve wracking, Michelle and her team were right there to help with any and all questions that I had. I would highly recommend booking with Epic Yacht Charters, you will not be disappointed. read less
drewski3001/25/2022Amazing Charter! - We booked through Epic Yacht Charters without prior experience or referral. Michelle was great to communicate with and give us... read moreWe booked through Epic Yacht Charters without prior experience or referral. Michelle was great to communicate with and give us some boat options. Ultimately we chose the "Heavenly" for the charter. Dan and Chutney were amazing hosts and we felt very comfortable sharing the boat and the week with them.
Chutney's cooking was amazing and we even had a guest who prefers chicken fingers eating Ahi Tuna poke bowls and many other wonderful meals. Chutney even accommodated GF and DF options for myself! My only complaint was that I prefer to skip breakfast but the food was so good that I ate breakfast every morning. Dan was a great captain and had a calm demeanor. He made a great old fashion and always made sure the ice was stocked! Chutney's knowledge with the USVI helped us experience what the islands had to offer! And Dan was willingness to go snorkeling everyday gave "some" of the guests what they were looking for while others sat back and read a book or relaxed. We also frequented beach bars, hiking trails, pizza boats, taco boats, and the list goes on!
If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I'd highly recommend Epic Yacht Charters and high recommend the Heavenly! Unfortunately now we are ruined forever and will not likely go on a cruise ship ever again. Thanks guys! read less - Expedition8163271/24/2022
Trip of a Lifetime! - My husband and I just returned from a magical week exploring the USVIs aboard charter catamaran, Easir II with the... read moreMy husband and I just returned from a magical week exploring the USVIs aboard charter catamaran, Easir II with the amazing crew, Kara and Sy. From lounging on the boat, snorkeling with sea turtles, and enjoying gorgeous sunsets—we will have memories to last a lifetime—or at least until our next charter! Epic Yacht Charters and Michelle facilitated an incredibly smooth booking process and were prompt in their responses to any of our questions. We highly recommend choosing them to book your charter—it really couldn’t have been any easier! Thank you Epic Yacht Charters!!! read less
samantha1/16/2022Beautiful, fun, magical basically perfection - From the planning to the actual vacation the experience could not have been better. We began planning the trip 7/2020... read moreFrom the planning to the actual vacation the experience could not have been better. We began planning the trip 7/2020 with the original dates being 01/2021 and as the pandemic worsened we needed to postpone until 01/2022. We were so sad but definitely trip was worth the wait!! Michele was so easy to work with, hooked us up with the perfect boat and crew for our family of active adults and helped with all of the details along the way. From helping figure out all of the new Covid related restrictions to helping us when our flight got cancelled and we almost didn’t make it-she was truly amazing and so kind! The crew was amazing as well. Kieran and Michelle made every aspect of the trip catered to us-from dive sites to hikes and water toys they took such good care of us. Christian cooked us the best food and catered to all of the different dietary needs serving one delicious meal after the other-so good. We had a birthday in the family on board and they made that day so special from a delicious breakfast to decorating the boat while we were off on an adventure and serving an amazing dinner it couldn’t have been more special. We never wanted the trip to end and we are already planning our next one! read less
Fearless7249281/06/2022Vacation of a lifetime - Our trip on the Euphoria Yacht with Corey and Emily was the trip of a lifetime. Michelle at Epic... read moreOur trip on the Euphoria Yacht with Corey and Emily was the trip of a lifetime. Michelle at Epic Yacht Charters was excellent in pairing our family perfectly with our luxury charter! We’ll never forget the amazing memories and are already considering when we may go again! read less
MUST SEES
There are a few things not to be missed. Take a look at our favorite anchorages, restaurants, beach bars and shore excursions.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Having a hard time visualizing your crewed yacht vacation? Take a look at a sample itinerary to get the ideas flowing and plan your trip.





