PHYSALIA

BREAKFAST

House cured salmon, soft boiled eggs, avocado, mustard aioli, sourdough

Gruyere and mushroom quiche

Tortilla Española

Lemon ricotta pancakes, maple syrup

Sourdough, Caribbean pumpkin, goat cheese, sage brown butter, caramelized shallots, poached egg

Brioche French toast, rum maple syrup

Yogurt, seasonal fruit, granola, honey

 

LUNCH

Jicama tacos, panko shrimp, mango salsa, spicy mayo

Beer battered snapper sandwich on homemade potato bun

Fresh baked focaccia, turkey, pesto, semi sundried tomatoes, balsamic glaze

Vietnamese green papaya salad

Mahi ceviche

Puerto Rican asopao, lobster, avocado, tostones

Lionfish taco on homemade corn tortilla

 

APPETIZERS

Homemade baba ghanoush and hummus, pita

Puerto Rican cheese balls, guava dipping sauce

Fish of the day carpaccio

Fresh baked potato buns, honey butter glaze, flakey salt

Salmon rillette, toasted baguette

grilled peach burrata salad

Mushroom soup

 

DINNER

Rack of lamb, roasted carrots, harissa, tahini dressing, couscous

Puerto Rican oxtail fricassee, rice, avocado, plantains

Burmese chicken coconut curry, jasmine rice, roti

Sushi night!

Cedar plank fish of the day, celery root puree, parsley aioli, asparagus

Pan seared local fish, Greek salad, lemon roasted potatoes, flatbread, tzatziki

Homemade pumpkin tortelini, sage brown butter, toasted hazelnut

 

DESSERTS

Red wine poached pears

Basque burnt cheesecake

pistachio cake

Gooey chocolate chip cookies, sea salt

Flourless chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream

Tiramisu

Coquito

 

 


Menu Image 0 Menu Image 1 Menu Image 2 Menu Image 3 Menu Image 4 Menu Image 5 Menu Image 6 Menu Image 7 Menu Image 8 Menu Image 9

• Off-grid air conditioning (powered by batteries or generator)
• Sun awning
• Hammock
• BBQ
• Water maker
• Floating mats
• Beach games
• WIFI onboard
• Scuba

• 3 queen cabins

• TENDER: 13ft, 40hp, with room for 8
• Kneeboard
• Standup paddlebooards
• Snorkeling gear
• Wakeboard
• 1-person kayak
• Kite boarding
• If guests are interested in Kiteboarding or wing foiling, the crew will build this into the itinerary and make the necessary arrangements for equipment
• Fishing Gear
• Underwater camera/video
• SCUBA gear onboard

Scuba Overview

Dive Pricing Details

MEET YOUR CREW - Captain Chris Stubbs and Captain/Chef Kaya Carrion


Chris has been sailing since he was a small child growing up surrounded by the barrier islands and marshes of the Carolinas. His first jobs were teaching sailing and then crewing larger monohulls which led to several months aboard a 120’ schooner in New Zealand at 18. At the College of Charleston, he doubled in Anthropology and Geology with a minor in Archeology while first working as a Divemaster and Aquarium Diver, and then later joining the scientific and marine crews aboard oceanographic research vessels. Chris continued working aboard research and survey vessels through grad school while completing his Masters in Geology at UCSB. In this time, he made the first maps of tens of thousands of seafloor methane seeps in offshore California, the Gulf of Mexico, and Siberia. He also began taking friends on epic bareboat sailing adventures in the Channel Islands while advancing his scuba background and exploring his new obsession of kitesurfing.

Following grad school, he continued working in the marine geophysical survey and oceanography industries beginning in Antarctica. In 2013, he established his own freelance consulting business, and to date has worked in all the world's oceans and continents while maintaining an excellent offshore safety record. A passionate maritime tour guide, Chris holds a 100-ton USCG Master Captain license and loves introducing his charter guests to the wonders of the Virgin Islands. A life-long extrovert, Chris loves meeting people from all walks of life and sharing stories. He spends his free time traveling, kitesurfing/foiling, trying to break out of the beginner ranks of free diving and wing foiling, and playing in the ocean with his fiance Kaya.



Kaya was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She spent her life fishing, crewing, and living aboard boats traversing the British, US, and Spanish Virgin Islands, particularly Culebra Island where her family vacation home was located. Her childhood experiences on the water inspired her to pursue a career in marine science and she has since completed her Bachelor’s and her Master’s degree in Marine Biology. When Kaya began her undergraduate studies she was introduced into the world of scientific diving at Florida International University where she worked in a seagrass ecology lab and gained experience with research diving throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, including Dry Tortugas National Park. Kaya graduated summa cum laude, with undergraduate research experience, and membership into Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Her marine biology career continued soon after in the Virgin Islands, where she worked as a research assistant and expanded her diving experience, becoming a certified technical diver with TDI advanced nitrox and decompression diving.

More recently, Kaya’s marine science career focuses on tropical coral and fish ecology. Her diving experiences have been incredibly unique with hundreds of scientific dives completing surveys for coral health, coral reef fishes, lobster, and more. Kaya is also a highly skilled captain and holds a USCG 100-ton Master license. Apart from her ocean experiences, Kaya is fully bilingual and grew up in a family of passionate foodies including several professional chefs. Her food passion started with Puerto Rican cuisine, but grew after traveling the world where she learned and became passionate about authentic foods from Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Japan, Greece, Peru, Korea, and many other countries, cooking and learning from locals at homestays throughout her multiple backpacking journeys. Kaya can provide signature dishes from many regions of the world and cater to a broad array of pallets.



Kaya and Chris met on a marine science job in Culebra, PR in 2015 and were soon spending every free moment together. After the job, Chris followed Kaya first around Puerto Rico, and then began visiting her between jobs. Conspiring with her sisters, Chris surprised Kaya during a visit to see family in Ireland when she finally agreed to be his girlfriend. They have since crossed the US via campervan, traveled through dozens of countries, and lived in CA, FL, PR, and the USVI together. They have made a point of taking regional cooking classes as they have traveled the world, and take pride in being adventurous eaters. They are both passionate marine scientists with teaching experience at the university level, and love introducing their guests to the wonders of the ocean world. Their combined skills and experience offer travelers a broad array of options for indulging in all aspects of life at sea. Tthey specialize in the BVI, USVI, and Spanish VI where Kaya grew up cruising and they both know intimately. Chris and Kaya got engaged on a trip to Australia in 2022 and celebrated their wedding in June 2024.

Be sure to follow Physalia on instagram! @sv_physalia

Broker Review

How would you qualify the crew and their service:

Skipper:
Comments
Both crew were Skippers, but this will apply to Chris. Great person, talented captain, outstanding knowledge of BVI (and much of the rest of the world, really). Very service oriented…in tune with our needs and attentive

Rest of the crew:
Comments
Kaya….cool as they come, remarkable chef, talented captain, master diver and enjoyable to be around.

How would you qualify the yacht (comfort, features, general maintenance, etc)
Comments
Met expectations…had everything we need, was comfortable and well appointed.

How would you qualify the itinerary
Comments
Perfection….hit so many spots, on land and underwater, these guys have the itinerary wired!

How would you qualify the sports and leisure activities/equipment on board
Comments
Great! Didn’t have time to do it all, but the boat had a lot to offer.

How would you qualify the food and drinks
Comments
This needs to have more than 5 stars as an option :) The food and unique daily cocktails were EXCEPTIONAL

How would you qualify the service provided by the broker (Ritzy Charters)
Comments
Wonderful….great communication, responsiveness, follow up. Enjoyed working with Lucy.

How would you qualify the entire experience of your trip
Comments
One of the best vacations of our lives.




My Underwater Angel!

Starting with just an idea and a Google search of "Yacht Charters BVI", it was nothing short of serendipitous that we found Chris, Kaya and Waldo on the Physalia. Super cool people, but so impressive in many ways: as captains, tour guides, master divers and even scientists. Oh, but wait there's more - Kaya is a talented chef...just WOW!
Each meal was better than the last...thoughtfully prepared and perfectly executed..breakfast, lunch and dinner. As novice divers, Chris and Kaya were so comforting to have with us. i called Kaya my underwater Angel.
Chris certified my wife, and was an excellent teacher. And the trip wouldn't have been the same without Waldo.... what a cool, loving dog.

This year it was just my wife and I, but next year it's back to Physalia with our kids, they're going to love it!!

One to Remember

Thank you both for going above and beyond to make this once in a lifetime trip one to remember!
You guys are great hosts and all around people. I really enjoyed how this trip quickly turned into another trip with friends....simply not just charter guests.
Terry and I wish you both a lifetime full of love and happiness in your future endeavors!

Our Second Trip on Physalia with Chris and Kaya

This was our second trip on Physalia, the first being April 2023. In over 30 years of traveling my husband and I have never repeated a trip, but last year was so good we had to come back. The second time was as good or better than the first.

Chris and Kaya aren't "crew" they are gracious hosts welcoming you to their home. they go above and beyond to deliver top notch experiences every day, seeing to every possible need and want, including the stellar meals that kaya prepares and which rival the best restaurants we have ever been to.

One of the best parts of a trip on Physalia is the immense knowledge that Kaya and Chris have about the area, the geography, and the ocean life. When you drive or snorkel with them, you will see things and learn about them in ways you can't experience on other boats.

Thank you for another amazing week - I hope we get to come back again!

Holy Cow!

All I can say is, Wow!! Never have we experienced such a level of hospitality. We have sailed in the BVI's before, but will never do it again without Chris and Kaya and Waldo. Not only is their caliber of service like none other, they are so fun to hang out with!

And can we talk about the food? Holy Cow! It is like sitting down to a 5-star restaurant for every meal. Not only were the plates beautiful to look at, they tasted amazing.
Absolutely everything was fresh and fantastic - we cleaned our plates at every meal! And to top it off, Chris had some awesome mixology skills! :) We can't wait for our next rip.

Best in EVERY Way

To say this has been one of the most peaceful, beautiful and wonderful trips of my life is an understatement. We had so much fun with Kaya and Chris, they are the absolute best in EVERY way. They both went out of their way to make this such an incredible trip. The meals that were created by kaya were like we were at the BEST restaurant for each and every meal. I will leave this PERFECT vacation amazed at her creativity.
Thank you both for such a fantastic experience!!!

We love Waldo too and may pack him in our carry-on

Will Never Forget

We can't thank you enough for a wonderful vacation. It was the experience of a lifetime. Thanks for giving us a week we will never forget!

Beyond Meaningful

I would just like to add that beyond all of the experiences, you created the most wonderful family experience of our lives. It was beyond meaningful. Words cannot describe how thankful we are. The food was amazing.

The sites were gorgeous.
A perfect trip that you created for us.

I'll Be Back!

This was my now favorite spring break trip ever! Everyone running this charter (including Waldo) is awesome and the coolest people I've ever met. I have never tried and successfully liked so much of the food I had this week and I will be the first to purchase a cookbook if one is made.

I really wish I could do this trip with you guys every year. I'll definitely be back for a USVI trip. You guys are the best.
Thank you so so much.

Extraordinary in Every Way!

What a week!
Discovery, adventure and connection, it was extraordinary in every way!

Every day brought new opportunities to learn more about this spectacular area.

Kaya and Chris, thank you for being so generous in sharing your knowledge, passion and enthusiasm with us. We so greatly appreciated how quickly you developed a rapport with our kids. Caroline loved baking with Kaya, Madeline loved that Chris knew she needed to clim at Fallen Jerusalem, Emmy loved being towed by Chris on the kayak as she could explore, and Oliver was so amazed to swim though the caves and learn so much about the underwater world from Kaya and Chris!

Kaya, your cooking and baking - my goodness!
From catching a fish to whipping up fabulous meals moments late - it was out of this world!

Waldo stole our hearts and brought an additional source of entertainment, comfort and companionship! Kaya and Chris - you have had a profound impact on all of us - your love of the water, Waldo and one another shines as bright.

Thank you for the trip of a lifetime. We can't wait to come back.
Our hearts are full!!


Learned so Much From Chris and Kaya

I absolutely loved this trip! The amount of fun and happiness I had on this boat was "unmathable". Chris and Kaya's knowledge about the wildlife here is incredible.
Personally, this is the best trip I have ever been on. My favorite part was seeing all of the different animals in the water while snorkeling.
I learned so much and Chris taught me how to dive down deep so I could see all of the fish.
Kaya's cooking is the best I've ever had and the presentations of it were beautiful.
We had adventure filled days the whole time and the views were amazing. My family all loved the entire trip and we will definitely be coming back. I would recommend this trip for people who love adventures. I will miss Waldo and the crew very much.

(Written by a 14 yr old)

What An Amazing Journey

O captain! My captains! What an amazing journey! 7 blissful days in the BVI’s led by 2 of the best hosts one could hope for.

Kaya and Chris, you are both such accomplished young people; a joy to sail with you. Always accommodating, ever helpful, knowledgeable - every day we learn something new about the island, the reefs, the seas! Always ever mindful of their surroundings, demonstrating their love and deep respect for the sea and our planet.

Our last morning was postcard perfect- the water never calmer or more beautiful in the prettiest, quietest cove. We are so lucky to be here! Thank you

And Now For The Food......

And now for the food… move over Thomas Keller!!! Kaya is a creative chef with innovative uses of spices and seafood, foods with local flair and tasted from around the world. We had fresh baked bread almost everyday! Imagine that! My favorite - tuna poke and the wahoo carpaccio! Every day it was something new and delicious!

All I can say is we never wanted for anything. One will always want to come back to sail with them!

Thank you so much - both of you.”



Incredible Hosts

An amazing tour of BVI and USVI over the past week. We had stops of Peter, Cooper, Salt, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, St John, and others which now escape me. Highlights included turtles, rays, barracudas, Sargent majors, along with restful sights and sounds of the water.

Open ocean sailing to and from Anegada was a delight. On the way punctuated by numerous whales!

On Thursday we had a nice rain and a water spout sighting.

Through it all, Chris and Kaya have been incredible hosts, and as much as the islands and the water were amazing, the food was Michelin stars quality! We had asked for local fare and we were treated with the best the islands could offer. If you are reading this you made a wise choice of charter.

Take advantage of the knowledge Kaya and Chris bring of not only the sea, but of sea life, geology, and history.

Until next time. Fair winds!

Wonderful Week

Thank you so much for a wonderful week! We started with rain and ended with sunburns ;)
We loved how you worked with us as we changed this up and spent time in Culebra. What a treasure you have here!! The beaches were beautiful, the drinks were stronger, the food was fantastic!

Thank you, it is such a treat to have meals cooked that were so different and delicious.



Can't Say Enough Great things!

Had the best week ever on Physalia! Chris, Kaya and Waldo were amazing. They have so much knowledge about the islands and the ocean. The food was incredible, Kaya is a phenomenal chef. They were also very accommodating to any thing specific we needed. We saw tons of wildlife like sea turtles, flamingoes and even swam with dolphins. Kaya is also very a skilled fisherwomen and we caught a lot of fish off the boat. Can't say enough great things about this trip and Chris and Kaya! Hope to be back sailing with them in the future!

Absolute Joy!

We could not have asked for a more amazing trip! Chris and Kaya were an absolute joy to spend the week with. From spectacular meals to stunning beaches and an incredible knowledge of the area, Every moment was above and beyond. Thank you both so much for making this trip so special for our family!!


Perfect!!!

I have had the dream to sail in the BVI's by catamaran for many years. There are not many times in life your dream is exceeded by reality. But in this case it wasn't close!!!!!
Food, accommodations, knowledge, humor, fun, fishing, snorkeling, etc.... Perfect!
I have never had that many fantastic meals in a row. Life after this trip will be hard to compete with. But at least we know we can come back!

Finally, thank you so much for your kindness and accommodation for my wife's disabilities. it made the trip for her, our boys and me.
Congrats Kaya on your 100T captain's license.

An Amazing Vacation

This vacation was something that my mom has wanted to do for years and finally we had the chance to do it. We found Chris and Kaya and picked them immediately.
Their knowledge of the islands was very helpful in planning our days and the head chef Kaya literally makes food better than anywhere in the BVI and USVI.
I would definitely recommend Scuba with Chris if you get the chance as well.

A very unique experience! An amazing vacation.

Outstanding Hosts

Kaya and Chris were outstanding hosts for our 6 day trip. Kaya's cooking will be missed. I am still thinking about those lemon pancakes!
Watching Kaya catch and cut up a tuna on the last day was very cool. I loved hearing about their experiences as scientists and the itinerary exceeded our expectations. Just sailing alone gave me much time to think about life outside the mainland, we wish we lived on the boat! My favorite part was snorkeling and having a renewed respect for marine life.
May God bless your adventures.
We hope to join you again ....next time.


Truly Very Special

Thank you guys for making my dream trip on a sailboat so awesome and it couldn't have been any better! I really enjoyed this experience and it was truly very special.

I loved snorkeling and seeing fish I have never seen before, and going for a hike with Kaya and Waldo, and learning from you guys and hearing your stories!

You guys, this experience has definitely made me want to go sailing again in the future.

I also loved trying new food, seeing the BVI, watching Wyatt scuba dive and all of the amazing views and sunsets. Of course waking up to Waldo was also such a treat.

Best Way to Experience Both the BVI's and the USVI's

This charter has been an incredible experience. It exceeded all our expectations. Chris and Kaya's hospitality, knowledge, kindness and genuine care for their charter guests are above and beyond.

Chris and Kaya taught us so much about the under sea life and showed us their favorite spots. This is the best and only way to truly experience the BVI's and USVI's.

Kaya's cooking is far better than any restaurant! We enjoyed the food immensely!

Waldo was an absolute joy to have, while sailing. I'm in love!

We will absolutely do this again. It is the best vacation we have ever been on.

Thank you Chris, Kaya and Waldo. You're a special crew!



Depth Of Our Gratitude

I don't think that words can adequately express the depth of our gratitude to Kaya and Chris for their outstanding care, professionalism and attention to detail during our time together.
Chris, your knowledge, easy laugh and flexibility made you a joy to work with and a pleasure to be around.
Kaya we all agree, we want to be like you when we grow up! Your knowledge, passion and attention to detail blow us all out of the water. We would choose you two (and Waldo) again - hopefully we will!

Changed My Life

Happy New Year! Is there a better way to celebrate, than waking up to being greeted by Waldo every day? Chris and Kaya too of course.....this trip has changed my life. We have been so lucky to explore the USVI and BVI and eat the most amazing food. It's impossible to pick a favorite memory but Brendon and I have come up with a few that really stick out:

Signature cocktails up top after a busy day of lounging and exploring.
Scuba diving the wrecks.
Late night card games
Reconnecting with one another.
Snorkeling with sea turtles

Now we are off to the very chilly northeast. We are full of memories, amazing food and drinks, and so grateful for the new friendships we have made with Chris and Kaya! We can't wait to travel with you guys again.




Wonderful Vacation

Words will never do our trip justice! The trip was absolutely wonderful and your service levels and professionalism were at the top! We are so grateful to have been part of this wonderful journey!

Exceeded all previous Experiences

We have done a number of cruises and in fact just completed one in Raja Ampat aboard a Pacific High heritage phinisi yacht. We have previously cruised aboard the Aqua Mekong (as you know, a top rated outfit), Ha-Long Bay aboard a luxury yacht, a personal cruise on the Irrawaddy river aboard a 5 star river boat, and a sailing cruise on Phang Nga bay with Bob Mott, who is well known in SE Asia. We have also stayed in many famous luxury hotels around the world, and have eaten in our share of Michelin starred restaurants. I myself am half French and my family has been in the food business for a long time. My Grandfather was a famous pastry chef in France and was friends with many notable restaurant chefs.

Chris and Kaya delivered an experience over a week that was on par with, or exceeded these previous experiences. Chris is an accomplished seaman and Kaya is an accomplished first mate. They were supremely competent in all aspects of operating and actually sailing the boat. They are also accomplished divers and marine scientists. I completed some great dives with them and saw many new things, even though I have been diving the USVI for over 20 years and have done all the major dives there.

And then there was Kaya's cooking. Just incredible. She prepared dishes every day for us... breakfast, lunch and dinner, that were simply superb. I would put her up against some of the best food we have ever had, anywhere. She is truly an exceptional culinary talent and she should be classified as a fine chef.

I would not hesitate to book these guys again, and I would trust them and sail with them anywhere in the world.

Physalia can comfortably accommodate 6pax and probably 2 more kids. It is good for families, or for couples like us who are looking for a super-luxe experience, service and attention. That said, Physalia is not a brand new fancy boat like some of the ones recently advertised in the USVI. She is a new boat, but not the very latest tech etc. You go with Chris and Kaya because you want a unique and quality experience from the standpoint of competency, knowledge of diving and sailing, and of course you go for Kaya's exceptional talent as a chef. Kaya can do hamburgers I am sure, but her talents would be wasted on that.

Exceeded All Our Dreams

Trip of a lifetime! ❤️ Chris and Kaya are the best hosts! Our trip started with some pre-planning and logistics that truly ended up exceeding all of our dreams. Chris knows the waters and his boat very well. He took us to gorgeous beaches, we sailed to several US and British Virgin Islands, and we truly chillaxed the entire trip. Kaya was a phenomenal cook, and every meal was five stars plus! She also exposed us to many sea creatures, some we were even able to hold and admire. The octopus GoPro video, as well as other videos she took for us looked like they were filmed for National Geographic, truly epic. The beds were comfy and we slept well. Staying on a boat is definitely different from staying on land, but we hope to come back and experience these adventures or new adventures with our kiddos. I could go on and on, but our favorite slice of heaven was Sandy Spit, and the reef there was unbelievable. Thanks so much Chris and kolkata, until next time!

Bucket-list Trip!

This was a bucket-list trip for us, and it exceeded ALL our expectations! From the detailed guided adventures, to the gourmet food prepared from scratch, Chris and Kaya made this the trip of a lifetime! We can’t wait to come back for another adventure with them!



Most Relaxed I have Ever Been!

Greatest trip of my life. It was so much better to have crew like Chris and Kaya who knew just about everything and they made this trip a fun experience where I got to learn a lot. Also they showed us the best beaches and spots around!
Our first trip to the islands and it was a treat! Beaches - great, food and drink - great, accommodations - great, overall fantastic trip!


Most relaxed I’ve ever been with great views. Also better food than most restaurants!
What an amazing trip! This was a perfect family graduation trip. We loved learning from Chris and Kaya about the ocean, snorkeling, diving, and the world adventures. Kaya’s cooking is 5 stars.

Thanks for inviting us into your boat home and making us feel so welcome!
This vacation has been filled with lots of fun and new adventures. I had no idea what to expect, but we have been to really amazing places like private beaches and cool beach bars. Chris and Kaya have welcomed us and gotten to know us super well. They are knowledgeable about so many things like marine life that have made this trip a learning experience as well. I really enjoyed the food on this trip because everything was made from scratch. I am so happy with how relaxing this trip was, but also with all of the new things I have gotten to see and do. Waldo is, of course, the cutest, sweetest mascot of Physalia!


Pure Happiness!

We had a beautiful journey! Learning about marine life and boating was our favorite part. As well as the family meals. Spectacular! Everything you could ask for on a trip :) Loved this time together!

What an honor to be able to experience what you guys have created here on Physalia. This place has been special in so many ways, and a place I have wanted to revisit for 11 years. You guys made a bucket list trip everything we could want and more. The food goes without saying is some of the most delicious and well prepared meals I have ever had. A day on the water is always the best day, and you gave us 5 straight days of pure happiness.

I loved spending a few quality days together at your amazing home (your yacht). Thanks for welcoming us and all of your time, talents, knowledge, and good laughs. Looking forward to more island adventures with you in the future.


World class sailing, incredible sights and experiences. The absolute most amazing food. Chris and Kaya are AMAZING!!!


A Delightful Adventure.

Wow, this was a trip of a lifetime. I spend part of the year living in St. Thomas and expected this to be like my experiences on my friends’ boats. It was far more wonderful! What a delightful adventure! Amazing food, personalized SCUBA experiences, secret beaches, undiscovered places, a whole marine education in a week… it was more than I ever could have expected and so much fun!

Before we boarded, a friend said, “you are going to learn so much this week.” Indeed I did. I am so much more knowledgeable about all things ocean VI thanks to these incredible humans.

You keep going Kaya and Chris, the experience you are creating is something of magic.

Perfect Combination of 5 Star Hotel and a Robinson Crusoe Adventure!

The trip was a combination of a floating 5 star hotel and a Robinson Crusoe adventure! We started and ended each day with a gourmet prepared-from-scratch meal from Kaya and during the day we went wherever the wind would take us. Well, it felt that way with visits to deserted beaches and wrecks (and the occasional wild beach bar), but of course the itinerary was well and carefully curated to give us the best possible experience.

Kaya’s knowledge of the seas and its inhabitants is amazing and Chris’ captaining, dive leadership, and knowledge of everything is incredible, but be warned that you may have to ask Chris to repeat an explanation because the depth of his geological knowledge was over our heads once or twice.

The trip could not have been better. Thank you for showing us the best of the BVIs and USVIs above water and below.



Unrivaled Experience!

There really aren’t enough words to describe how much we enjoyed this trip! We have never been to the Virgin Islands before, and have not chartered ever, but I’m convinced we could not have chosen better than Physalia!

Chris and Kaya were the best hosts! So many things about this trip were amazing because of them. Their knowledge of the area, and of the sea and sea life, gave us insight we would not have had elsewhere. They were so kind, so patient with all our questions, and so flexible in adapting to our likes, dislikes, and limitations. AND - I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE FOOD!!!!! I have been blessed to eat in many excellent restaurants, and the food this week was better than all those experiences. The flavors, the variety, the presentation, all absolutely top notch!

The Virgin Islands are absolutely beautiful all day, every day, but what made this an unrivaled experience was the choice of Physalia, Chris, and Kaya! Thank you for everything, and we hope to visit again in the future! 🙂



Relax At Sea

My mother picked this trip because she wanted to relax at sea. Even though I was not ecstatic at the idea as I was tired of traveling after doing it for a while, I found it helped me find that relaxation I needed. Going to sleep with the motion of the waves is like being sung a lullaby when you were a baby, and always having panoramic views is a beautiful thing. Both Chris and Kaya are good people, hardworking, and smart! You can see the breadth of experiences they’ve had based on how they approach topics and of which topics they speak about. Kaya is a great cook and a sensible person, making sure people always feel good. Chris is a great captain who you can have great conversations with and is a grounded individual with a good heart. I enjoyed having the trip with them.

Muchisimas Gracias - Thank You So Much

Bianca Cogorno review April 8, 2023

“Muchísimas gracias por tener la suerte de estar en Physalia. La mejor comida hecha por Kaya y el mejor capitán, Chris, que nos dio mucha seguridad en la navegación. ¡La comida mejor, imposible! ¡Lo mejor de lo mejor! Cariñosos, buenas personas, gracias por todo y por tan linda experiencia!”

English translation:

“Thank you so much. We are so lucky to have been on Physalia. The best food prepared by Kaya and the best captain, Chris, who gave us so much security while sailing. ¡Better food would have been impossible! ¡The best of the best! Loving, good people, thank you for such a beautiful experience!”

Coolest Vacation!

I picked this vacation for my senior trip and I'm so glad I did!!! This trip was the most exciting, yet relaxing trip I have ever been on. Every day we had a new adventure and I was never bored. We were able to go to so many places and see lots of sea animals. Chris and Kaya are such kind people, who know basically everything about the ocean and were able to teach me so much!! Kaya is also a super good cook, and everything she makes is so good! I don't think I have a favorite place, because they were all so good, but I loved the Baths, and loved it when Chris and Kaya guided me through swimming through an underwater cave thing. This is the coolest vacation I have ever been on, and I never want to leave!! (Waldo is also SO cute!)

Senational Food!

This trip has been amazing. I have only great things to say. Chris and Kaya were both great captains, and they were both very knowledgeable about everything. I really enjoyed everything that we did. From snorkeling to fishing to cruising around the beautiful islands of the USVI and BVI. Each spot that we went to was so unique and fun, and Chris and Kaya’s expertise made these places even more fun. I really enjoyed seeing many different sea creatures that I never imagined seeing.

The Rhone shipwreck was awesome, and learning about the history of the ship made it even more awesome. Each and every spot that Chris and Kaya chose for our journey was unbelievable, and the beaches and clear water left me speechless. Everything that we did this week was truly amazing, and they are things that I will cherish forever.

Something else that I will never forget is the sensational food that Kaya cooked. Every single thing that I ate on this charter was phenomenal. Kaya cooked, prepped, and baked everything to perfection. I truly can’t decide what my favorite dish or dessert was, because they were all so so so good. Kaya’s cooking was by far my favorite food of anything I ate on this trip. The techniques and cuisine that Kaya cooked was mastered to perfection. It shows you how much she cares about her guests and loves to cook when she wakes up at 4:30 AM to make a fresh loaf of sourdough bread.
In conclusion, all of Kaya’s food was out of this world delicious, and I can not speak more highly about her abilities as a chef.

This fishing was also awesome, and we caught and released many different kinds of snappers and jacks. We even caught and released a stingray and an awesome bar jack. This was one of the highlights of my trip. And again, Chris and Kaya’s knowledge made fishing here even more fun. All in all, this trip was such a fun time. Being able to spend time with my family in maybe the best place in the world is something I’ll never forget.

I’m so glad that Chris and Kaya were our captains, and I’m so glad that I got to spend time with them and my family in this unbelievably beautiful place. Thank you Chris and Kaya!!! I really hope to do this again, and maybe next time become SCUBA certified by Chris. I will never forget this trip, thanks again Chris and Kaya!

Best Decision Ever!

Our week on Physalia is one that will stay with us forever!

We chartered this boat for our daughter’s high school senior family trip, and it was the best decision ever. Chris and Kaya were absolutely amazing. Their knowledge and experience far exceeded our expectations, and only made the voyage even more perfect than we had hoped. It’s hard to pick the best part of the trip, because we saw so many amazing places.

We opted for half-board, but if we ever have the chance to do it again, we will go full-board. Kaya’s meals were AMAZING. Better than any restaurant we ate in, and easily on par with a high end chef. To say this was one of our most memorable, (if not THE most memorable) vacatio we have ever had, would be completely accurate, and we would tell anyone that has the opportunity to get on their charter, definitely take it!

Every Day An Amazing Adventure!

We spent seven amazing days onboard with Chris and Kaya and can’t say enough wonderful things! Every day was an amazing adventure, from beach days to the Baths to Scuba diving with sea turtles! Our kids were finishing their scuba certification and were very nervous about it, but Chris and Kaya put them at ease and helped them through every step and by the end of their 4 dives, they were so comfortable and excited about diving! We really appreciated the way Chris and Kaya carefully planned the trip. We had to adjust our itinerary due to the north swell this week and we’re so grateful that they suggested that we do. We would have missed going to the Baths because it was closed - we would have been so sad to miss it!

Now for the food… just wow!!! Every meal was thought out so carefully and the flavors just out of this world! We really enjoyed watching her bake from scratch everything from corn tortillas to sourdough to bread rolls and so much more! The homemade sourdough and bread rolls were literally in the top 5 things I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating in my life and I lived in France so that is saying a lot!! My son said the lemon ricotta pancakes were the best thing he’s ever tasted!

Chris and Kaya worked so hard to make this an amazing trip for us and we are so grateful! We’ll be back for sure! We will really miss Waldo and are also so impressed with how well behaved and fun he was!!

Oh, and our 14 year old daughter is really interested in science and nature and it has been so fun that Kaya and Chris are both scientists! It’s been like having an encyclopedia onboard! We really enjoyed learning so much about all the birds, sea life, and topography of the area!

What an absolutely amazing trip we’ve had!!

Beautiful and Exciting

Anna - 14yrs old

My family took a trip on this yacht and it was amazing! This is the most beautiful and exciting trip I’ve ever been on.

I love boats so much and it’s so refreshing to be on this boat. We went scuba diving and Chris was my instructor. We saw 2 sea turtles and lots of fish! I was so excited to see the turtles because that was one of my goals for the trip.

Kaya is an amazing cook and I’m not usually adventurous as far as food goes - her food is so good!
We’ve also gone to the beach and that was really fun!
I would definitely take this trip again!



We could not have selected a better boat or a better crew.

This is our first sailing experience and it was fantastic. We could not have selected a better boat or a better crew. Kaya and Chris are amazing hosts, guides, educators, conversationalists, and just great people! We enjoyed all our time spent with them and Waldo! :) Kaya is the most wonderful chef who was very attentive to our preferences. Every meal was a 5 star experience. Kaya is so inventive and meticulous to ensure each meal was a complete dining experience.
Chris is a wonderful dive teacher and very patient to assist my husband in re-learning to dive. The foil was a bonus as well. We never once worried for anything and all our expectations were exceeded! Well done and many thanks!

What a wonderful customized experience!

This charter was such a wonderful customized experience. I hardly can express my thanks to Kaya and Chris for their attention to detail at every level! From mapping each day’s itinerary in terms of multiple options, I really liked the kayaks around the rocks, and also the rowboat! I especially loved the sailing! That sound of the motor switching off and just the wind and elements, definitely one of the highlights for me. :) No pressure to do anything whatsoever each day. I had only been on a 4 day charter in Thailand many years ago, so I had forgotten what it was like to be on a boat for consecutive days. I had very little motion sickness at all so was happy about that. It fell away completely once we began the journey. Even so, I appreciated the thought they took into choosing the calm mooring points. Both of them are expert mariners in their waters. It was fun discussing everything over dinner (travels, life experiences, etc…). In general I always like being around scientists and researchers so that was a definite bonus of this trip; in French, a lagniappe, “something extra or unexpected.”
Overall, this was a top level experience. To say nothing of the fantastic gourmet food would be a serious oversight! Kaya is a gourmet chef and it really blew us both away! The way she paired up different ingredients, fresh herbs, so much flavor and variation! Every single day, every meal! Thank you guys so much!

We only have words of gratitude!

Last week we embarked on a week-long journey aboard charter vessel Physalia, visiting the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, as well as other small islands nearby.
For us it was the first time that we went on a charter vacation and we truly loved the experience.
The crew, Captain Chris and first mate Kaya, were incredibly lovable and empathetic, and especially the company of their pet, Waldo, was truly a joy. They were super attentive to all our necessities, Kaya prepared meals that were truly fabulous, and both being marine scientists with profound knowledge of the area, they gave us lessons on marine biology of the Virgin Islands and we were able to learn so much, especially our little Theo of four and a half years of age.
They were especially lovable and patient with Theo, respecting his schedule and tantrums, in addition to facilitating everything necessary for us to enjoy a vacation in the ocean.
We only have words of gratitude for this experience and we want to recommend the experience to all of our friends!
Thank you so much!

Solamente tenemos palabras de agradecimiento

"La semana pasada estuvimos embarcados durante una semana en Charter Physalia, visitando las islas de St.Thomas y St.John, y también algunas pequeñas islas alrededor.
Para nosotros era la primera vez que realizábamos un viaje en un Charter y realmente nos encantó la experiencia. La pareja conformada por el Capitán Chris y su ayudante Kaya fueron super amables y empáticos, y especialmente la compañía de su mascota Waldo fue todo un encanto. Fueron súper atentos ante cada necesidad, Kaya preparó comidas realmente fabulosas, y al ser científicos ambos que conocen profundamente la zona, nos dieron clases de biología marina de las Islas Vírgenes que pudimos aprender muchísimo, sobre todo nuestro pequeño Theo de 4 años y medio. Especialmente fueron super amables y pacientes con Theo respetando sus horarios y berrinches, además de facilitar todo lo necesario para disfrutar unas vacaciones en el mar. Solamente tenemos palabras de agradecimiento por la experiencia y queremos recomendar la experiencia a todos nuestro amigos!
Muchas gracias!

Great With Kids!

Chris and Kaya have taken our family under their sails several times. From teaching my wife and daughter how to venture around St Thomas on Hobie Cats to incredible snorkeling pictures of my son with turtles and stingrays in St John. They are great with kids and have and incredible knowledge base and appreciation of the ocean.


Spectacular Trip

Chris and Kaya were amazing hosts, tour guides, cooks, and sailing experts along with incredible knowledge of St. Thomas and the US Virgin Islands. They facilitated an amazing itinerary that helped create memories our family will cherish for many years. We highly recommend sailing with Chirs and Kaya for a spectacular trip.

Awesome Time

Awesome time on the water. They were outstanding and enabled us to all experience a great time. Our group of sailing enthusiasts couldn't have had more fun as they showcased their expert sailing skills. Their great attitude and hospitality made for a festive time that was enjoyed by all and that will be long remembered.

We couldn't have had a better experience.


It Was Absolutely Amazing

We booked the catamaran for a trip around St. Thomas. It was absolutely amazing. the crew were beyond accommodating. These guys really enjoy their job and made our experience great. We were laughing the entire time. the boat was extremely clean!
We snorkeled, paddle boarded, took the dinghy everywhere.

We couldn't have asked for more. We will definitely be using them again and recommending them to friends and family

Perfect Crew For Us


Captain Chris and Kaya were the perfect crew for us. Chris exceeded our expectations! He found the perfect spots for our families to snorkel and enjoy the islands.
I would sail with them any day!


Truly Grateful

Chris and Kaya were tremendous hosts. From the beginning when Kaya had us remove our footwear until Chris brought us safely back to Charlotte Amalie, we made some great family memories to last a lifetime!
Kaya's meal preparations were exquisite and Chris' knowledge of the islands was vast. The sushi night was a fun event, thought of by Kaya!

We are eternally grateful for the professionalism that was extended to our family. Thank you, Chris and Kaya! Hope to see you again!
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