We just returned from an incredible seven-day bareboat charter in the BVI, and the experience was top-tier from start to finish.
​A huge thank you to Maggie Privat, who was instrumental in helping us set up this charter. Her expertise and attention to detail during the planning phase made the entire process seamless. When we arrived, the crew at MarineMax took over with the same level of professionalism, ensuring the handoff was smooth and we were ready to hit the water with confidence.
​As for the boat, the Aquila 545 (53-foot power cat) was a dream. It’s an absolute beast of a platform for a group of six—spacious, stable, and incredibly comfortable for island hopping. The flybridge quickly became our favorite spot for morning coffee and sunset drinks.
​Logistically, we used Bobby’s Provisioning, and I can’t recommend them enough. Everything was accurately packed and waiting for us, which saved us hours of hassle and let us get out to our first mooring much faster.
​If you’re looking for a luxury bareboat experience in the islands, this is the winning combination. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
Mollie Stradley
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February 25, 2026
Our week aboard the Painted Pelican was nothing short of extraordinary, easily a top 3 trip of my life, and I’ve been fortunate to travel on some pretty amazing adventures.
Captain Joe was the absolute best. So pleasant, incredibly knowledgeable, and impressively well-traveled. He seemed to know exactly where to go and exactly when to get there for the most breathtaking views. Every anchorage, every island, every moment felt perfectly timed and thoughtfully curated. You could completely relax knowing you were in the hands of someone so experienced and genuinely kind.
And then there’s Chef Ariq… wow. Beyond talented. Beyond humble. We didn’t even realize the extent of his accolades until after we stepped off the boat, which makes his quiet confidence even more impressive. Every single meal was outstanding, truly better than any restaurant we visited during the trip. If Ariq is your chef, take my advice: eat as many meals on board as possible. Each dish was creative, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious.
The combination of Captain Joe’s expertise and Ariq’s culinary magic made for an unforgettable week. The Painted Pelican is something special and the crew is what makes it exceptional!
Already dreaming of our next boat trip.
Michele Owens
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February 04, 2026
Marine Max Vacations for the BVI is the best. They were courteous, efficient, and thorough throughout the entire planning of this trip. Tammy, at Marine Max provided was there to ensure we had the most enjoyable experience. Please reach out to her for the trip of a lifetime. The boat was exceptionally clean with the standard amenities provided such as towels, kitchen cutlery, etc. Our Captain, Dunbar was amazing as well. We will definitely request him for our next adventure.
Carlos Lopez
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July 13, 2025
This is my 4th time with MarineMax vacations and it didn’t fail. The best vacations we have ever taken as a family and going with over 70 friends and customers made this even more memorable. If you plan on booking, make sure you reach out to Danielle Gage as she will walk you step by step on what the best itinerary and plan is for the week. Her husband Paul is fantastic as well and a great resource, even though I’ve been here before she took us to new spots, new restaurants and most importantly to the best bars! Thanks Danielle and the MarineMax vacations team!
Bill Matthews
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March 28, 2025
This is my 4th time chartering with MarineMax and every time is a wonderful experience. Tammy is super helpful getting everything organized and booked and just a real pleasure to deal with. The staff at Nanny Cay are great, friendly and helpful. We chartered a 484 on our trip in February and as always the boat was clean and everything in working order. We were lucky to have near perfect weather for our trip and can't wait until our next adventure with MarineMax.
We just returned from an incredible seven-day bareboat charter in the BVI, and the experience was top-tier from start to finish. ​A huge thank you to Maggie Privat, who was instrumental in helping us set up this charter. Her expertise and attention to detail during the planning phase made the entire process seamless. When we arrived, the crew at MarineMax took over with the same level of professionalism, ensuring the handoff was smooth and we were ready to hit the water with confidence. ​As for the boat, the Aquila 545 (53-foot power cat) was a dream. It’s an absolute beast of a platform for a group of six—spacious, stable, and incredibly comfortable for island hopping. The flybridge quickly became our favorite spot for morning coffee and sunset drinks. ​Logistically, we used Bobby’s Provisioning, and I can’t recommend them enough. Everything was accurately packed and waiting for us, which saved us hours of hassle and let us get out to our first mooring much faster. ​If you’re looking for a luxury bareboat experience in the islands, this is the winning combination. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
Our week aboard the Painted Pelican was nothing short of extraordinary, easily a top 3 trip of my life, and I’ve been fortunate to travel on some pretty amazing adventures. Captain Joe was the absolute best. So pleasant, incredibly knowledgeable, and impressively well-traveled. He seemed to know exactly where to go and exactly when to get there for the most breathtaking views. Every anchorage, every island, every moment felt perfectly timed and thoughtfully curated. You could completely relax knowing you were in the hands of someone so experienced and genuinely kind. And then there’s Chef Ariq… wow. Beyond talented. Beyond humble. We didn’t even realize the extent of his accolades until after we stepped off the boat, which makes his quiet confidence even more impressive. Every single meal was outstanding, truly better than any restaurant we visited during the trip. If Ariq is your chef, take my advice: eat as many meals on board as possible. Each dish was creative, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. The combination of Captain Joe’s expertise and Ariq’s culinary magic made for an unforgettable week. The Painted Pelican is something special and the crew is what makes it exceptional! Already dreaming of our next boat trip.
Marine Max Vacations for the BVI is the best. They were courteous, efficient, and thorough throughout the entire planning of this trip. Tammy, at Marine Max provided was there to ensure we had the most enjoyable experience. Please reach out to her for the trip of a lifetime. The boat was exceptionally clean with the standard amenities provided such as towels, kitchen cutlery, etc. Our Captain, Dunbar was amazing as well. We will definitely request him for our next adventure.
This is my 4th time with MarineMax vacations and it didn’t fail. The best vacations we have ever taken as a family and going with over 70 friends and customers made this even more memorable. If you plan on booking, make sure you reach out to Danielle Gage as she will walk you step by step on what the best itinerary and plan is for the week. Her husband Paul is fantastic as well and a great resource, even though I’ve been here before she took us to new spots, new restaurants and most importantly to the best bars! Thanks Danielle and the MarineMax vacations team!
This is my 4th time chartering with MarineMax and every time is a wonderful experience. Tammy is super helpful getting everything organized and booked and just a real pleasure to deal with. The staff at Nanny Cay are great, friendly and helpful. We chartered a 484 on our trip in February and as always the boat was clean and everything in working order. We were lucky to have near perfect weather for our trip and can't wait until our next adventure with MarineMax.