MEET YOUR CREW:
CAPTAIN: Maxim Krejsa
CHEF: Zoe Meyer
Growing up in the Netherlands, Maxim developed an early connection to life on the water, which has since taken him throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean as a professional skipper. With more than 5,000 nautical miles and 300+ charter days under his belt, he has extensive experience aboard both catamarans and monohulls.
Maxim’s charter career has taken him through Croatia, Greece, Italy, Antigua and the Grenadines. Most recently, he captained a Lagoon 52 in the Caribbean, managing luxury charters for up to eight guests and taking responsibility for everything from navigation and passage planning to yacht management, onboard maintenance and, most importantly, creating a safe and memorable experience for his guests.
His background sets him apart as a captain who is equally comfortable at the helm and behind the scenes. His earlier career in commercial and account management also gave him a strong foundation in customer service, communication and relationship building.
An enthusiastic sailor and kite surfer, Maxim loves sharing his passion for the water with his guests. When he isn't sailing, you'll likely find him kite surfing, skiing, hiking, exercising or getting involved in a boat refit or project.
With his relaxed but professional approach, strong technical knowledge and genuine enjoyment of life on the water, Maxim’s goal is simple: to make sure his guests can completely switch off, relax and enjoy an unforgettable week on the water.
For Zoë, a love of food and life on the water have always gone hand in hand. Having grown up sailing in the Mediterranean, she feels completely at home aboard a yacht and brings to the galley a combination of professional culinary training, Michelin-starred restaurant experience and yacht hospitality.
Zoë completed the Chef & Waiter Programme at Hotelschool Ter Duinen as well as a specialist qualification in meat and fish at PIVA Antwerp. Her culinary career has taken her through busy restaurant kitchens in Melbourne and into the Michelin-starred kitchen of Le Pristine in Antwerp, where precision, presentation and attention to detail were an essential part of every service.
She has since brought those skills to the yachting world as a Host/Chef with The Yacht Week, preparing three fresh meals each day while taking care of menu planning, provisioning and individual dietary requirements and preferences. Working aboard different yachts with different skippers and guests has made her highly adaptable and comfortable creating great food from a constantly changing galley. She also assists with docking, mooring and general yacht operations, making her a true hands-on member of the crew.
Zoë loves creating fresh, beautifully presented food that suits both the destination and her guests. Her experience includes menu planning, provisioning, wine pairing and cocktail preparation, allowing her to think about the entire dining experience rather than simply what is on the plate.
Warm, organized and naturally guest-focused, Zoë thrives on the personal side of chartering—getting to know her guests, discovering what they love and creating meals and moments around them.
Together, Maxim and Zoë bring a wonderful balance of professional seamanship, culinary talent, technical knowledge and genuine hospitality to life onboard.
Both have experience with crewed charters giving them an understanding of how important the chemistry between captain, chef and guests is to a successful charter. Maxim brings extensive sailing and charter experience along with a strong technical background, while Zoë brings professionally trained culinary skills and an instinct for thoughtful, personalized hospitality.
Cockpit dining area
Cockpit dining area
Flybridge lounge area
Foredeck lounge area
Guest Cabin
Guest Cabin
Bathroom
Guest Comments
Catamaran Island Hopping Vacation
Dream vacation. Island hopping and cruising to hidden gems in st barths, st marten and Anguilla. Every day included gourmet prepared meals and snacks on boat, while activities included snorkeling, cliff jumping, boat jumping, hiking, paddle boarding, etc. Accomodations were very comfortable and Captain Isaac and Briana were amazing people and total professionals. Best of all was how great they were with our kids
Grenadines at Pura Vida 48’ Cat
We had the one of the most enjoyable weeks of our lives! Capt. Isaac and Briana led us throughout the beautiful islands of The Grenadines. We had great adventures while fishing, freediving and exploring islands such as Mustique, Petit Saint Vincent, Tobago Keys, Bequia and Canouan.
The food was also so special, with several highlights such as fresh mahi ceviche and sashimi!
And the boat was perfect: VERY new, impeccable, fully functional.
Our family of 5 would recommend this trip without blinking!!
Sailing St. Vincent and the Grenadines with iYachtClub with their amazing crew Isaac and Bri.
What an incredible charter. We’ve done this before but can say this has been THE BEST charter / holiday to date. Isaac and Bri were AMAZING! They looked after us so well, went over and beyond what we would have expected in terms of food, cocktails (😉), attentive service and making this holiday simply unforgettable. Felt we arrived as guests and left as friends. Thanks so much guys. Two lovely people living their dream! Thanks also to iYachtClub for your fantastic boat and service!
Totally Awesome!!!!!
On February 23 my two brothers and their wives and myself took off on a trip of a lifetime! Our Captain Andre and his wife/ chef Magda were amazing. They took great care to make sure we had a trip to remember FOREVER. We had such a great time and the sites were unbelievable. The food was beyond what I ever could have imagined. The crew made us feel welcome from the first moment we met them until we had to say our sad goodbyes. They really went above and beyond to make sure that we saw as much of the BVI as possible. I would highly recommend sailing with Andre and Magda if you plane to see the BVI in the future. Thanks again for everything you did for us to make this a memorable vacation!!!!!! Don Myers
Date of experience: February 2024
The Best "Pura Vida"
This was the most relaxing trip we have ever been on. Brandon and Alessia are simply exceptional and their hospitality, incredible service and ability to create the best "Pura Vida" is amazing.
Snorkeling around the carious reefs with the white sand, watching for tarpon at night.
Endless food and drink - Loved it!!!
Wonderful Vacation
Thank you Brandon and Alessia for a wonderful vacation.
Your attention to detail from the tablescapes to everything "safety" related was so appreciated. Your teamwork together (Love) was a joy to watch. Let us know how you're doing occasionally, we'd love to "keep up"
Just Perfect
Our favorites in no particular order were The Baths, snorkeling with a barracuda for 45 min, snorkeling in the many various locations seeing stingrays and identifying different fish, being served marvelous tropical drinks and BEAUTIFUL meals...... and the bean bags when under sail.
Just perfect
So Many Favorites
So many favorites but mostly enjoyed the sailing and visiting the various coves along the way.
Enjoyed the relaxation the most and relaxing in the water. Other favorites were the Baths and coming through the infamous split in the reef for dinner at Coco Mayo.
Brandon and Alessia were a delight to charter with.
Top Notch
This trip far exceeded our expectations which were already high. it ws the most relaxing trip but still with plenty of activities. Brandon and Alessia's attention to detail and effort to meet all of our needs was incredible.
Pura Vida and the crew, Brandon and Alessia are top notch.
Incredible cuisine
Best Crew Ever
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Brandon and Alessia. They were excellent hosts, cooks, tour guides and assistant babysitters for our wild adventure crazy boys!!
BEST CREW EVER!!!
We Had A Blast!
We had a blast with Brandon and Alessia. They were excellent hosts and lined up great activities and delicious food, cocktails and desserts. It was a unique, one of a kind trip we will never forget.
So Special!
Everything was so special! Cute bars, fun cornhole toss at Tipsy's Bar, AMAZING food and awesome time with our family.
The best crew ever, Alessia and Brandon, who were so friendly and helplful!
BEST CREW EVER!
Will Never Forget!
Brandon and Alessia are the best hosts we could have asked for. They work so well together and provide excellent food and cocktails as well as stories and general entertainment. Definitely a trip we will never forget!
Perfect Break From Reality!
Jet skiing, snorkeling the Indians and Buck Island, catching fish and seeing a nurse shark, inflatable rides, jumping off Willy T's and the back of the boat, star filled nights and delicious dinners with lots of wine were the highlights of our trip!!!!
Brandon and Alessia made the trip personal and special. From the home cooked meals to dives and our endless questions. They made it fun, adventurous and an overall wonderful vacation for our two families. This was the perfect break from reality - loved it all!!!
Exceeded Our Expectations!
Truly hard to pick a favorite given the ground we covered in Paradise. Snorkeling at Anegada and exploring the Baths standout. It was the beautiful scenery and family time which will always be remembered. We had heard great things about this trip, But Brandon and Alessia exceeded our expectations in every way. They make you feel so relaxed; attend to your every need; prepare perfect meals; and plan the perfect itinerary. We cannot say enough about those two. They made it our favorite vacation ever!
Just perfect!
So dope! An amazing way to turn 50!
Brandon and Alessia, thanks for making everything first rate - "Everything" and I do mean EVERYTHING... was just perfect including the privacy you gave us.
Love you guys
'Til next time
Matt
Next Level!
Every day was different but the same amount of AMAZING!
Brandon and Alessia made the entire trip - one we will never forget. The chillness and laid back vibes was so our speed. the attention to detail, the custom meals (YUM!) and the care put into making us feel special was next level.
Jess
The Best Trip We Could Ever Have Imagined
This trip was literally the best vacation I’ve had. The boat: impeccable. The service: top tier. The BVIs?? Insanely beautiful!!
We went for my partner‘s 50th birthday and it was the best decision we’ve made.Captain Brandon and Alessia give us the best trip we could possibly imagine and more. Anything we wanted, they helped us get. From deciding where to go on a day by day basis, to offering activities, we can try, to the food that Alessia prepared, the whole thing was amazing. We even caught fish and ate it fresh that night! There was always a delightful spread on the table and drinks flowing.
We were able to go on hikes, sea waterfalls, go to caves and pools, and explore some of the islands. There is something for everyone.
Would recommend this trip, and these hosts to anyone!!
Magical
Snorkeling was amazing. Our favorite island was Anegada.We also loved Guana!
So beautiful. We loved using all the water toys, especially the SUPS.
This week has been magical.
Above & Beyond
We just had the best vacation week in our lives sailing with a wonderful crew on a catamaran through the virgin islands. Our captain and chef, Brandon and Alessia, took amazing care of our family throughout our week. They went above and beyond in every way to make this the time of our lives. We will absolutely be doing this again!
B&A Made Is So Special
We came on the boat for a girl's trip but will definitely be leaving with 2 more friends. this has been an experience of a lifetime and Brandon and Alessia made it extra special.
We loved chilling on the boat in the sun. We enjoyed Soggy dollar at White Bay, but enjoyed having a drink with Brandon and Alessia at Ivan's Stress Free Bar the most.
Highly Recommend
Alesia and Brandon gave us the 5 star treatment aboard the Pura Vida.
Amazing snorkeling, Excellent Food, want for not
Highly Recommend!!!!
Miss Elle
Our favorite Trip To Date.
Our favorite spots were the Baths and the stunning water at White Bay.
We loved snorkeling at the Indians, and we especially enjoyed our time on the boat with Captain Jamie and Chef Jessa while learning about the area.
This was our favorite trip to date!
We enjoyed everything about our vacation on Pura Vida. We made so many family memories. Jamie and Jessa were great and made the experience so wonderful. We really want to do this again!!"
Jon, Erica, Ashton, and Grayson
Epic Adventure
Words cannot do justice for all of your kindness on our family vacation with you both on the beautiful Pura Vida here in the Virgin Islands. You guys made this an epic adventure that we will never forget.
We'll stay in contact - looking forward to sailing again with you and seeing you on our adventures in the future. Until then, we wish you smooth sailing and clear blue skies.
All our Love
Justin, Jaime, Haley and Jackson
Amazing!
Matthew and Klarisse were amazing!
Great Food - Amazing service - Professional all the way
It's my last night onboard so no more time to explain how awesome everything was - gotta go.
Gregorio
Everything was Amazing.
Our Fav Memory or Recommended Activity:
Everything about our trip was amazing, but we really enjoyed the snorkeling at the Indians. Our captain, Matthew, got us there early enough to snag the perfect spot!
Captain Matthew and Klarisse were outstanding in every way. We had incredible sailing, snorkeling, and great food. They made every part of our journey seamless and unforgettable. Matthew’s knowledge of the islands, expert boat skills, and calm professionalism were evident from the start.
His background in sailing showed — he has the temperament of a true captain.
We would sail with Matthew & Klarisse again without hesitation!
Above And Beyond
Our Fav Memory or Recommended Activity:
It is impossible to choose one. A few top favorites were snorkeling at the Indians, Willie T’s and the lobster at Anegada. Relaxing and soaking up the sun while sailing was priceless.
My Message:
We had an amazing trip. Matthew and Klarisse went above and beyond ensuring we had a phenomenal experience.
The meals were presented beautifully and tasted delicious.
Matthew had the perfect itinerary planned, packed with unforgettable experiences.
The two provided exceptional service and went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed ourselves.
Chris and Michelle
5 Stars!
Our Fav Memory or Recommended Activity:
Wow! What an incredible trip! Matthew & Klarisse are an incredible team, and they helped us have an unforgettable week.
5 stars for everything!
My Message:
Snorkeling at the Caves & the Indians was a highlight!
Klarisse’s food was better than so many 5-star restaurants we have been to.
Incredible Experience
Bucket Memory or Recommended Activity:
Arrival day, or the snorkeling day off Peter Island, or Anegada. So many memories.
My Message:
It was an incredible experience! Matthew and Klarisse are the BEST!
Klarisse is very talented and so kind.
She helped with everything.
Her knowledge and first-class experience shine just as much as her personality.
Heather H.
Unforgettable Experience
Our fav. memory or recommended activity:
Anthony: The beautiful white sandy beaches.
Molly: Snorkelling.
Joanne: Matthew’s skill at finding deserted beaches & Klarisse’s amazing food.
Arthur: Snorkelling and seeing barracudas and a shark.
My Message:
Thank you for making our week an unforgettable experience that has been so enriching. We are so happy to have made lifelong memories for our children and for ourselves.
P.S. Please come visit in Australia. Molly will do the cooking with her tips from Klarisse and Arthur will show you the beaches.
Joann, Arthur, Molly and Anthony
Fabulous Week
Our Fav Memory or Recommended Activity:
Fav memory – Ryan rolling down the shoreline, running into the reef.
♡ The Baths, Gorda Peak trail to the lookout point, dinner at Coco Maya, every meal on the boat, and morning FDs. Oh, and sailing! ♡
My Message:
We had a fabulous week with Matthew and Klarisse in the BVI! Wonderful hospitality! Some great memories were made!
★★★★★★★★★★
If you’re thinking about booking Pura Vida – do it! We had three couples on board and somehow Klarisse and Matthew managed to keep us well-fed, well-sailed, and completely relaxed for an entire week (no small task).
Matthew sailed us smoothly through sunshine, storms, and questionable music playlists. Klarisse kept us full with incredible meals that magically appeared no matter how often we changed our plans… Can’t imagine what she would whip up in a bigger kitchen.
The sailing was a real highlight – peaceful, beautiful, and never once did we feel anything but safe. They took as good of care of us as they did their third crew member, Pura Vida herself. These two are absolutely pros who make it look easy.
Thanks for putting up with us and making Sharksweeks 2026 unforgettable! I hope the rest of your season is full of clapping and applause that you deserve.
Well DONE!!!
♡ The Crew from OKC
(Better at relaxing than sailing)
What A Great Time!
What a great time!
Matthew & Klarisse were absolutely fantastic. We were so welcomed & attended to immediately.
Klarisse & her creations were fabulous! In all of my 64 years I have never experienced such consistently fantastic meals (and I have travelled extensively). The meals were lite and filling all at the same time - and DELICIOUS!
Matthew was a great captain and was very aware of our group needs. I always felt like he was looking out for us! His captain cocktails were so yummy & I may have fallen in love with a few new recipes 🙂
It was a super fun trip & I cannot recommend this crew enough! Super fun, great food & all of our needs were met! Hate to leave!!
Monica & Tim S
Wonderful Hospitality!
Thanks so much for the wonderful hospitality! The sights, the snorkeling, the beaches — not to mention the amazing meals and fun conversations!
Matthew & Klarisse were the ultimate hosts — meeting every need/request. They were so fun to spend time with and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. We would gladly book another with them.
Thanks again to Matthew & Klarisse — you made our trip so worthwhile!!
Hope to see you again.
Best
Bob & Jim O
5 Times In The BVI!
Matthew and Klarisse are an amazing crew! They are both very caring and professional. They were always meeting every need we had on such a relaxing vacation.
Klarisse is magic in the kitchen and could be a chef in a five star restaurant.
We have sailed 5 times in the BVI and her meals are by far the very best.
Matthew was always ready to take us to any snorkeling area and to help us out on all of the islands: driving a rental car to the best beaches on Anegada, arranging a fabulous visit to the Baths on Virgin Gorda, and anchoring the boat at all the best places!
Pura Vida was an awesome vacation!
The best!
Art & Sally C.
Once In A Lifetime
I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our vacation with Matthew and Klarisse. We spent last week on Pura Vida, and our crew was absolutely fabulous!!! They are respectful and courteous but still so much fun!!
After eating Klarisse’s delicious food, my husband will never want to eat my cooking again!! She is so talented!!! Matthew was so kind and helpful in every way. We were so blessed to have them as our crew.
This was our second “once in a lifetime” trip. We also went to the Grenadines on Sea Dog. We can’t wait to book our third “once in a lifetime” trip with you. We will definitely request to have Matthew and Klarisse again.
Heather F.