January 2026
What a way to ring in 2026! My wife, our two daughters, and I had the absolute best time sailing around the BVIs aboard IARA. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets bookended a week full of unforgettable adventures, both on the water and on land.
Lexi always had amazing aromas coming from the galley, and Paul made sure cocktail hour was consistently memorable. They were incredibly helpful in planning our menus for the week—everything was delicious, well-balanced, and never too heavy. The itinerary they put together was fantastic as well. We hit all the must-see spots and truly felt like we got a great sense of the BVIs.
One of the best parts was being on autopilot for the week, letting Lexi and Paul take the lead. No matter our mood, they could effortlessly tailor each day to be as active or as relaxed as we wanted.
The IARA itself was beautiful—very clean, modern, and well maintained. Even though we spent most of our time outside, the staterooms were spacious and extremely comfortable.
We couldn’t have asked for a better vacation and are already looking forward to the next trip.
-The Magruders
December 2025
What a treat to have Lexy and Paul plan ahead and make the travel happen aboard Iara - planning groceries, cooking gourmet meals made especially according to our requests, entertaining us and sharing space with another family…. Lexy and Paul did a great job navigating our family’s needs and also giving us space for family time in a gorgeous setting. Lexy’s food was delicious and Paul navigated a great adventure. Highly recommend!!!
-The Cummings
November 2025
We spent Thanksgiving week aboard Iara with Paul and Lexy, and it was an absolute dream come true! The boat is pristine and has all the comforts of home. Lexy whipped up incredible gourmet meals all week, and Paul is such a patient, kind human. We traveled with our daughters (14 and 9) so Paul and Lexy planned our adventures with the entire family in mind - and they’re amazing with kids! They were so accommodating and flexible whether it was our itinerary, food selections, or showing us how to e-foil. The Iara has a great selection of toys, and we loved playing everyday while seeing all the beautiful sights around the BVIs. This vacation was the perfect mix of relaxing and adventure!
-The Gregory Family
July 2025
I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our charter on Iara. We couldn’t have asked for a more fabulous week! We loved Lexi and Paul! Paul was an incredible captain and made us feel confident in his abilities and experience. He also made great cocktails! Lexi was an incredible first mate whose culinary skills were second to none. The thing that I loved about the week was that it was truly was a vacation. We didn’t have to think about anything. Our days were very laid back and we just rolled with whatever options Lexi and Paul offered us. It was so nice to wake up every morning to the smell of coffee and enjoy the morning with a book on the top deck. Then, we would be called down to the most beautiful breakfast! Everyday was something different and delicious. Each day we would have either lunch or dinner on shore and the other meal on the boat. Lexi and Paul took care of all of our reservations and each of their recommendations were wonderful. They knew all the great places to snorkel, and we got to see some very cool things. We saw a ship wreck, lots of beautiful fish and even swam in a cave. When we weren’t sailing, snorkeling or swimming off the boat, we were exploring the islands. It was so relaxing that most days I didn’t know what day it was or what time it was! Our girls loved this vacation also, and it was a great way to spend quality time together. I highly recommend Iara, Lexi and Paul. They made this bucket list vacation one to remember!
- Kelley Nichols
June 2025
As a family we have been wanting to take a charter in the BVI for many years!
After finally deciding to just do it, we had no idea where to start. So, we started where I’m sure most do and went to Google! After reading and researching many broker companies, we settled on Yacht Warriors!
Matt and his team were so responsive! He listened, gave honest opinions and direction, and really helped shape our charter. It was honestly his recommendation of the benefits of the boat and our research on the crew that we decided on IARA – and what a perfect decision it was! This was our first charter but definitely will not be our last and I would use Matt and Yacht Warriors every time.
IARA - The boat is gorgeous! So well maintained and the décor is beautiful. Never doing a charter before, we were concerned having 2 teenage girls that we would not have the space we would need for 7 days. This could not be more wrong! There are so many different spaces that we could be together as a family or spend time alone if needed.
Although IARA is beautiful, it was the Paul and Lexy that made our trip unforgettable. From day 1 they made us feel welcomed and ensured that everything we needed was taken care of. The food was amazing – Lexy is an incredible chef – every meal was perfection and Paul’s nightly cocktails weren’t bad either!! Each day was planned perfectly – from helping us secure a Moke rental and dinner reservations in Anegada, to the Baths and snorkeling Monkey Point, the Indians and the Caves – our family experienced a trip of a lifetime. Paul was always so patient in teaching Dustin how to sail – and even included our teenage girls!
As the week came to an end, we were so sad to leave. We made lifelong friends and cannot wait to sail aboard IARA again.
If you are still deciding whether to take the trip… TAKE THE TRIP! You will not regret it. This trip was epic and will be hard to beat.
Thank you so much Lexy and Paul for the memories! We will cherish them forever.
Jessica, Dustin, Madison and Mallory
May 2025
Spending a week on the Iara was everything that we had hoped it would be and more. The boat had comfortable space for our family of five adults and we thoroughly enjoyed all the water activities, but the best part of Iara is her crew.
We can’t say enough good things about Paul and Lexy! Their attention to detail and genuinely fun vibe put us completely at ease from day one. As first-time charter guests and first-time visitors to the Virgin Islands, we couldn’t have asked for a better crew. Paul and Lexy truly set the bar high.
Paul’s skill as a captain and patience answering our questions made the sailing a memorable and exciting part of the trip, while Lexy’s incredible meals will be talked about — and (attempted to be) recreated in our own kitchen — for years to come. They worked tirelessly to provide us with a great experience.
As a team, they’re thoughtful, kind and an absolute joy to spend time with. The itinerary was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, with plenty of time to explore the islands, swim, snorkel, and simply float in the crystal-clear water.
We haven’t stopped talking about this vacation — I keep calling it the trip of a lifetime, and it honestly was. Yet even as I reflect on how incredible it was, I’m already looking forward to seeing Iara’s itinerary for next year, hoping we’ll have the chance to sail with Paul and Lexy again!
Thank you for a 5-Star vacation. Highest recommendation for the Iara with Paul and Lexy.
-The Bley Family
May 2025
We just returned from a fun trip through the beautiful British Virgin Islands and had an incredible experience aboard the IARA. The IARA is a beautiful, well-kept boat with plenty of great spaces to relax and hang out. We especially appreciated the small touches that made a big difference — like having the air conditioning on when we arrived so we could unpack comfortably, and a thoughtful basket of essentials including sunscreen and other helpful items we ended up using throughout the trip.
Captain Paul was a true professional — calm, patient, and always accommodating, even as our group made last-minute changes or had a range of requests. He also proved to be a top-notch bartender, keeping us well taken care of during happy hour and beyond.
Lexy’s meals were a standout. Each dish was flavorful, well-prepared, and beautifully presented. A few of us are self proclaimed foodies, and her cooking became a daily highlight we all looked forward to.
We also had a great time using the games on board — a few intense rounds of Clue got competitive quickly thanks to the two brothers in our group, and it added a fun, unexpected layer to our downtime after hours of snorkeling, island bar hopping, ship jumping, and more.
Overall, it was a fantastic trip full of great memories, thanks to the IARA and its amazing crew. We’re so grateful for the experience and are already thinking about when we can come back! Thank you again Paul and Lexy!
- The Cummings Crew
April 2025
Our week spent on Iara was incredible! Paul's confidence and knowledge of the area made us feel so taken care of. Every spot we sailed to was amazing. Snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and paddle boards were a few of the great activities available when we weren't moving. Lexy’s food was beyond good. Everything was so creative, flavorful, beautifully presented, and always tailored to our needs. One of our party members had a list of food allergies, and Lexy was so considerate and made her feel so comfortable eating anything without worrying. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, specialty cocktails, and desserts were always 10 out of 10. There was not a single meal that wasn't great. Sailing with a crew that takes care of everything makes a world of a difference in being able to just sit back and relax! We can't wait to do it again.
- Kurdelmeyers
April 2025
Our family of four had the most amazing and relaxing spring break of our lives aboard the Iara. The sailboat is well appointed and clean. We had plenty of space, and the kids loved all the nooks.
We traveled throughout the British Virgin Islands, hitting every spot we'd heard about and some areas recommended by the crew. Our favorites included the Baths at Virgin Gorda, the bubbling pool at Jost Van Dyke, snorkeling around the Norman Island caves and making it to the Bitter End.
The crew was the best part of our trip. Paul and Lexy made our vacation so easy and fun. Paul ensured we had the right mix of adventure, water sports and relaxation. Lexy is a talented chef, and the meals were fresh and delicious. She somehow adapted her menu to please our picky kids. We lingered over gorgeous sunsets and different cocktails every evening.
We will never forget that trip! It was amazing!
Ramsey
March 2025
Sailing the BVIs with our friends from home and our new most favorite people Paul and Lexy was the absolute best!! Iara is so beautiful and clean and had the best food that I could have ever imagined at every turn. Paul and Lexy‘s easy going, accommodating and fun personalities were perfect for our group! We hope to make this happen again and wouldn’t change a thing!
Brockenbrough
January 2025
It’s impossible to overstate how indulgent, luxurious, comfortable, and invigorating our time was aboard Iara (our hosts’ catamaran). It was truly the most satisfying week I’ve every enjoyed traveling. Not merely because we soaked up sunny, 78 degree weather in the Virgin Islands. But because our hosts - Paul and Lexi - made it so. They were so easy to be with, so natural, so pleasant, so affable, so capable, and so helpful at all the right times. They created the vibe and path for us to completely unwind, 100% relax with each other, both exploring and escaping.
Food: Lexi is a fantastic chef - she made every single meal feel gourmet, special, home-cooked…because it all was. From steak, to scallops, to fish tacos, to creme brûlée, to eggs Benedict, to fresh salads, to paella - it was all so satisfying. Paul made killer cocktails every night while we took in the sunset from the top of the boat. Then he’d bring delicious appetizers (that of course Lexi made!) Maybe mimosas with breakfast, definitely wine with dinner, fresh fruit and snacks before or after a swim - always right there, always easy. We were served by Paul and Lexi - always attentive, never lingering, always available and willing to chat when we’d strike something up.
Boat: a super-cool, Scandinavian/modern/sleek feel with so many great spaces. A sunny spot up top with a big, L-shaped couch. A front with cushions for laying out. A shady, comfy L-shaped couch/booth around a big table (that we incidentally played cards, jenga on at least as often as we ate there. (I also napped there several times. Another long couch in the shade for looking out the back. Another shady, cushioned reading nook. The bedroom(s) in the hull with more storage space than we could use. We took hot showers and woke up looking out the window of our bed watching the sunrise on mornings we faced East. My favorite spot by far: the webbing (Paul called it a trampoline) on the front of the boat where I laid out and caught sun and the splashing of waves when we were hopping from island to island. Literally one of my favorite things to do on the planet. It felt like being a little kid.
Activities: we snorkeled around more reefs than I can remember, virtually every day. We snorkeled around caves, the Indians (rocks/reef sticking up out of the ocean). We’d paddle board, float in the water, explore beaches, found iconic oceanside bars, hiked in some sort of rainforest, explored caves, and swam in a magical protected cove that was like a jacuzzi fueled by waves channeling through oceanside rocks. I’m sure there were more things that others would have explored but the range, ease, accessibility, and diversity of hitting a couple of these things each day was plenty for us. And Paul and Lexi listened to what we wanted to do and mirrored the pace and activities we sought. And always offered a cold beverage, meal, or bottle of bubbly when we would return.
In the end I think what I appreciated the most was how easy it was just to be. The only decision we needed to make: which part of the boat to sit on while we read, had a drink, or caught sun. Paul and Lexi owned ALL the responsibilities. Such a delight that they took on literally everything that the week required. If Paul and Lexi lived here instead of on a boat in the Caribbean, I know I’d be friends with them. We shared so many great conversations and laughs - I think that made it all that much more special. I’ll be talking about this trip for the rest of my life!
Randy
January 2025
Iara was the perfect way to see everything in the BVIs. Paul and Lexy were amazing crew and made the experience! The food was excellent and I would definitely go on the Iara again.
Colby
January 2025
Our stay in the Caribbean would not have been the same without the help and guidance of such an amazing crew. Paul and Lexy were extremely knowledgeable, flexible, and fun to be around. The food and drinks were never short of spectacular, and the boat was always spotless. I am so grateful we were able to spend time on Iara and would not trade the experience for anything.
Stirling
January 2025
They were very sociable and fun. They were perfect at their job and made me feel very welcome on the boat.
Henry
January 2025
Paul and Lexy are a dynamic duo. What an incredible week our family of 6 had on IARA. Paul
and Lexy provided an expertly curated itinerary and menu. IARA is a spacious boat with comfortable bedrooms and all the amenities you need. We sailed swam and ate our way through the BVIs. Definitely a trip of a lifetime and we owe it to Paul and Lexy!
Lela and LT
December 2023 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
Paul & Lexi,
We can not thank you enough for all your hospitality and service.
Our Holiday on Wonderland was magical.
We hope your future voyages bring you much happiness!!
Matt & Diane
March 2022 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
Paul and Alexa,
We had such a relaxing week aboard Felicia with you both! We appreciated your calm dispositions and willingness to teach the boys. Thank you for taking them wake boarding, allowing them to explore the night life of the sea creatures, fishing, tipping over the kayak, exploring the shore and teaching them to sail! The report back to the parents was mostly about how cool Paul was! The food was wonderful! I really appreciated your calm, "all is well" disposition. It made for a wonderfully relaxing week for me, thank you! Most definitely one of our favorite trips of all time!
Blessings on your future adventures!
Traci and the gang
February 2022 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
Dear Paul and Alexa,
I tried to write an official sounding review but my thoughts feel so personal that I decided to write it in the form of a thank you letter to you both. I hope this is ok.
Thank you so much for an incredible week aboard Felicia! Wow— you exceeded our expectations on every level. Paul, you’re not only a great captain but your bartending skills are pretty epic! I’m still thinking about those spicy margaritas! Lexy, every meal was excellent and the variety of meals was incredible. You worked tirelessly in the kitchen— always with a smile on your face. Both of you were so patient with us— answering numerous questions, accommodating all requests, closing our hatches when we forgot, and the list goes on and on!
We were expecting the week to be wonderful but the 2 of you made it better than we could have dreamed. You helped us celebrate Tricia's big birthday in such a fun way— videoing our dance party, letting us hang up decorations, making specialty drinks, providing a birthday cake, and joining in on the fun.
You were flexible with the itinerary when suggestions were made and navigated us through some tricky wind and weather. We always felt 100% safe with the 2 of you in charge. (not sure we can say the same about Mark and Lee’s kayaking skills!)
It really was a trip of a lifetime with our dearest friends and we are grateful that you were our crew! Y’all are a Dream Team for sure and I hope we can return to Felicia (or whatever vessel you’re on) in the future!
All our best-
Kristy & Keith
January 2022 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
We had a lovely week on Felicia, sailing around St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. The boat was very spacious and had everything we could want in the way of comforts and water toys. Paul and Alexa did a wonderful job charting our itinerary, finding beautiful locations for us to visit, and generally being very hospitable. Alexa’s cooking was terrific, and the meals generally great.
The Frankel Family
December 2021 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
We had dangerously high expectations for our trip on the Felicia, but I’m glad to say the week far exceeded our best hopes. We spotted Felicia in the bay the day before we boarded her which was exciting and she looked amazing as we boarded her. There is little more exciting than being aboard her doing 13.5 knots as you dart between the islands.
Paul and Alexa were the perfect hosts Paul has abundant energy and is an excellent skipper- very confident and professional. He’s also a superb host which is an impressive combination. He knows the boat, the waters, the islands and the locals and made sure everyday was fulfilling He’s also a very attentive bartender and he is superbly complemented by his ever smiling Alexa. If there is a better chef in the Caribbean I’d be surprised Her range of cuisine was amazing and nothing was impossible! Felicia was an excellent way to see the islands Whether it was day trips to beaches, swimming, lunch or dinner, each day was an experience. Sparrow’s beach club on Union Island was a great afternoon with a lot of cocktails and lobster
Paul and Alexa, many thanks.We shall be back!
The Falconers
December 2021 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
Thank you both for everything you did for us all. It was a blissful experience being on Felicia - you both have a wonderful ability to understand the varied needs of all your guests and accommodate them all to make a very special experience for the whole group. The sailing was exhilarating (particularly the last day’s sail back from Canouan!), Lexy’s cooking was exquisite. … and the Rum punches always arrived without fail just at the right moment! It was just the most fabulous week- thank you both very much indeed. Should you ever make it to Scotland a very warm welcome awaits you!
With love from us both
Duncan and Hilary
December 2021 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
Dear Alexa and Paul,
We had the most wonderful time with you on the Felicia. I was always amazed how you kept your calm - with coping with us old folks!! Getting us on shore - and back on board. I loved watching the sails go up. So we did the real sailing - cutting the engines - it was awesome! Alexa is SO the best cook on the high seas. And Paul was such a kind, courteous, and helpful skipper. The best really!!! We couldn’t of asked for more - I seriously recommend them.
With many thanks,
Bryan & Sara
December 2020 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
Paul and Alexa were just fantastic and we had an amazing time from start to finish. The boat was pristine and a perfect fit for us. The food was excellent. Paul and Alexa were so knowledgeable, incredibly kind and patient with our kids, and very responsive to everything we needed.
-Carolyn & Jerry
October 2020 - Guest Testimonials From Previous Yacht
We had the pleasure to sail with Alexa and Paul for a week around a cluster of Caribbean islands called the Grenadines. Before the charter Paul called us and we started to put together our dream trip. As they have lived in the Caribbean for many years they were able to guide our family through the process and set the stage for a very exciting trip for my husbands 40th birthday.
They were delightful to sail with. Fun but relaxed and consistently working hard to make sure we got everything we wished for. Alexa’s food was sensational, happily catering for our young children while also putting on delicious food for my husband and myself later in the evening.
As they have been living in the area they knew all the best spots. Were able to advise us on some terrific restaurants on our nights out and introduce us to some of their friends at some idyllic locations.
We were blown away and have made sure to tell all our friends of what a fantastic family holiday we had.
We will definitely be keeping in touch with Alexa and Paul and are already planning our next adventure away hopefully sooner rather than later.
-Leandra
