Our Thanksgiving trip with Awatea Adventures November 2025 was, quite simply, the trip of a lifetime. We were a large group of nine, which can often feel cramped or chaotic on a yacht, but Fraser and Olivia handled our crew with incredible grace, professionalism, and "Kiwi" charm.

The Boat & Space: The 63ft Balance catamaran is wonderful. Even with nine of us, we never felt like we were on top of each other. The layout is modern and airy, with plenty of spots to tuck away for a quiet moment or gather as a group. Impeccably clean, barefoot luxury style and in cabin heads for everyone it’s just right for relaxing time.

The Crew (Fraser & Olivia) What makes Awatea special is that it’s owner-operated. Fraser and Olivia aren't just staff; they are master hosts who genuinely love what they do. Fraser is a wealth of knowledge with a great sense of humor and sense of adventure and Olivia’s cooking is 5-star quality—how she produces such amazing food, never repeating a meal and with spot on wine pairings on a boat for nine people has us all convinced she has a bit of magic. Fraser is quite the mixologist and his specialty cocktails that match the dinner theme were terrific. We cannot say enough about this charming and highly skilled couple. We arrived as guests and left as friends.

The Adventure: True to their name, they delivered on the "Adventure." From E-foiling and wake boarding to incredible snorkeling and deserted secret beaches, fishing and hiking there was never a dull moment. They kept our entire group ages 25-67 completely captivated and active the entire week.

The Verdict If you want a "white glove" but sterile corporate charter, look elsewhere. But if you want a soulful, high-energy, and deeply personal adventure on a world-class sailing vessel, book Awatea. Everyone who went said best vacation ever - and we are a fairly sophisticated group of world travelers. We’re already trying to figure out how to get back on board.

We had a party of 8 adults over New Year’s Eve of highly experienced world travelers and we all had the most amazing vacation ever! The owner/operators Fraser and Olivia went above and beyond every single day to make our trip an adventure as well as relaxing. They were incredibly knowledgeable and flexible and friendly! One of the best treats of the week was Olivia’s cooking. She is amazing and made the most wonderful meals 3 times a day. The food was very fresh, creative and tasted amazing!! We all also awoke each day to Fraser’s fresh ground expresso and lattes! The yacht was gorgeous and comfortable. We had plenty of space! Total dream vacation!!

Dearest Olivia & Fraser,
You two! You are both brilliant, and you absolutely smashed it. Beyond being terrific hosts, you brought such a cool, easy vibe to the week, and I know I can speak for all of us when I say we loved being in your company.

Olivia, the immense workload of making so much incredibly delicious and impressive food was astonishing (and without a break! (We’re so glad we skipped the restaurants!)). Fraser, thank you for being our barista, filleting our fish, making sure we were having fun, keeping us safe, and steering the ship (and more and more, I’m sure). 

I miss those cappuccinos. The memory of coffee being delivered to sip while taking a morning dip is a favorite. And the trays full of piña coladas and spicy margs. And the freshly harvested coconut milk in our meals. And the boom jump and water toys, lounging on the trampoline while we sailed, and the gorgeous spinnaker. All of it.

And the boat! Wow — Awatea was just so lovely, comfortable, and perfect.

As my work and life to-do lists continue to grow and our three-year-old becomes more challenging, I find myself pulling from the reserves this trip banked for a little serenity. It was such a luxury to slow down. I remember being called to do so immediately on the walk from the airport to Awatea. Fraser, your pace on that walk was a perfect welcome — easing us into what has to be the most relaxed and relaxing vacation I’ve ever known.

I was so content to simply stare at the horizon and that stunning blue water. I tried reading my book but kept reading the same sentence over and over, so I gave up — my surroundings were far more compelling. And losing my grip on my phone and laptop was a priceless gift.

We know there’s an incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes to make a week like this feel so effortless, and we’re deeply grateful for all of it. On behalf of all eight of us, thank you. One million times.

Fondly,
Sarah

PS. Fraser — David reminded me of a conversation the eight of us were having around the table one evening about mustaches (one of the many dumb conversations you were probably forced to overhear). I’m sorry about that. We're idiots. And for the record — you look great with a mustache.

Our week aboard Awatea in the British Virgin Islands was truly the vacation of a lifetime. Traveling with a multigenerational group can be challenging, but this trip exceeded every expectation and somehow delighted everyone. The boat was very spacious, comfortable, and accessible for teenagers and grandparents alike.

From the moment we stepped aboard, Captain Fraser and Chef Olivia made us feel completely at ease. As the only crew onboard, they worked together so seamlessly that everything appeared effortless, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy every moment. Their warmth, professionalism, and genuine care created an atmosphere that felt both luxurious and wonderfully comfortable. They anticipated our needs before we even realized we had them and somehow managed every detail with grace, energy, and smiles from morning until night.

One of the things that made this trip so special was the experience of sailing itself. There is something incredibly peaceful about gliding from one beautiful anchorage to the next with nothing but the sound of the wind and water around you. Those quiet hours became some of our favorite memories. The adults looked forward to leisurely mornings with fresh coffee, reading on the front deck as the islands drifted by, and ending each day with sundowners while watching the sun sink below the horizon. It was the perfect balance to all of the adventure, giving us time to slow down, reconnect, and simply appreciate being together in such an extraordinary place.

Captain Fraser’s knowledge of the British Virgin Islands was exceptional. Every excursion felt thoughtfully planned. From spectacular snorkeling sites and beautiful secluded anchorages to world-class dive sites, he seemed to know exactly where to take us each day. Scuba diving the wreck of the RMS Rhone was an absolute highlight. Fraser guided us through fascinating swim-throughs with confidence and ease, making the dive both exciting and unforgettable. His passion for the ocean was contagious, and every outing felt like an adventure shared with a friend who knew these waters intimately.

One of our favorite snorkeling memories was discovering a tiny juvenile yellow boxfish—only about 2 cm long! It was such a special reminder of how much there is to see when you’re exploring with someone who truly knows and loves these waters.

One evening, Fraser took us snorkeling through The Baths at dusk, after most of the crowds had disappeared. Having this iconic spot almost entirely to ourselves, with the fading sunlight filtering through the crystal-clear water, felt like pure magic. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences our family will never forget.

Our son was in heaven with all the fishing opportunities, and Fraser enthusiastically shared his love of the water, helping him reel in catches and celebrating every success. Our daughter couldn’t get enough of the underwater sea scooters, which opened up a whole new world beneath the surface. Swimming alongside graceful sea turtles and gliding over stingrays in their natural habitat was surreal—one of those rare experiences that leaves you speechless.

The fun never stopped for the kids. Between swimming, continuous fishing, paddleboarding, relaxing in the hammock, tubing behind the dinghy with Fraser at the helm, and the unforgettable rope swing launched from the roof of Awatea, every day was filled with laughter, excitement, and adventure. Watching the kids’ confidence and joy grow with each new activity was one of the greatest gifts of the trip.

Chef Olivia deserves special recognition. Every meal was simply extraordinary—beautifully presented, fresh, creative, and worthy of a fine dining restaurant. She somehow managed to delight every palate while making each breakfast, lunch, and dinner feel like a celebration. We found ourselves looking forward to every meal almost as much as the day’s adventures. Her ability to create such incredible cuisine while making it all look effortless was nothing short of amazing.

The British Virgin Islands are breathtaking, but it was Fraser and Olivia who transformed a beautiful destination into an unforgettable family experience. Their partnership was remarkable to watch. They balanced safety, adventure, hospitality, and world-class cuisine with an ease that made us feel completely relaxed from beginning to end. They created the perfect experience for three generations of our family, making every person—from our children to our parents—feel seen, included, and cared for. Just as importantly, they understood that the most memorable moments weren’t always the adventurous ones—they also created the space for us to slow down, enjoy the simple pleasure of being under sail, and savor uninterrupted time together as a family.

We returned home with amazing memories, stronger family bonds, and already talking about when we can come back. If you’re considering a charter aboard Awatea, don’t hesitate. Fraser and Olivia are an extraordinary team whose passion, expertise, kindness, and heartfelt hospitality make this so much more than a vacation. They gave our family a week filled with wonder, laughter, adventure, peaceful moments under sail, and genuine connection that we’ll treasure forever. 

Thank you for an unforgettable experience—we can’t wait to sail with Awatea again.

If you are even CONSIDERING a trip like this, stop thinking and just DO it. 
 

Captain Fraser and his wife Olivia FAR exceeded our expectations. 

We took our family of 5 (my husband and I, along with our kids - 22, 18, and 15) for a week and it was just amazing. Perfect mix between adventure and relaxation, with delicious food and drinks every day. We even made the mistake of having dinner one night off-boat and totally regret it. Olivia's food was way better. 

The amenities on their boat surpassed the other options out there, and we had a great time with the efoil, floating ring, inner tubing (my sons' personal high point of the trip!), water scooters, fishing (all 3 kids actually each caught a baracuda, as well as plenty of other fish), and on and on. Fraser and Olivia did a great job hearing what we wanted to do and took us to some truly amazing spots. The snorkeling was just incredible, and has inspired us to look into scuba certification for future trips. The reefs, the various inlets, the hikes, and the views from all around us were just mesmerizing. We snorkeled with sting rays, manta rays, tons of different fish variety, saw gorgeous coral reefs, and just an amazing world under the water. 

The rooms were quite comfy and the layout of the boat was just perfect. It was really great to have so many different "zones" for people to hang out and relax and still have some spread out without being on top of each other. Their Starlink WiFi was a game changer for all of us as well. We capped our week off with another one of their "can't find it elsewhere" amenities - a projector and screen on the back deck, so we could enjoy a movie as a family. Frankly, I could go on and on about this trip, but the best summary is that I could do this trip yearly and never be bored.