About Us & Our Team
MarineMax Vacations was founded with a simple vision: combine exceptional yachts, extraordinary service, and one of the world’s most beautiful cruising destinations to create vacations unlike any other.
Born from Boating. Inspired by the British Virgin Islands.
Since launching in the British Virgin Islands more than a decade ago, we have grown into an award-winning charter company backed by the experience, resources, and boating heritage of MarineMax. Our professional Vacation Planners, charter specialists, captains, technicians, and hospitality teams share a commitment to quality at every step. From helping plan the perfect itinerary, to maintaining our fleet, to exacting standards and supporting guests throughout their journey. At the heart of it all is our love for the BVI: its turquoise waters, spectacular islands, welcoming people, hidden anchorages, and unmistakable Caribbean spirit. We don’t simply charter yachts here, we live the boating lifestyle, know these waters, and take great pride in helping our guests experience the very best of them.
Your Trip of a Lifetime
Set your own course through the breathtaking British Virgin Islands with MarineMax Vacations. From the moment you step aboard your private power catamaran, you’ll have the freedom to design the perfect itinerary; whether that’s unwinding on secluded beaches, snorkeling vibrant reefs, exploring hidden coves, or visiting world-famous spots like The Baths, Jost Van Dyke, or Anegada.
Our Team
Our dedicated team is committed to delivering exceptional charter experiences for every guest. We take pride in our passion for boating and industry expertise, which inspire us to go above and beyond in creating unforgettable vacations. From your first interaction, you’ll experience our dedication to customer satisfaction and personalized service. Building strong, lasting relationships with our customers is at the heart of what we do, ensuring every charter vacation is truly memorable.
Dave Bigge, Vice President
Dave has 20 years of experience with MarineMax serving as Store Manager, Regional President, and leader of the Vacations division.
With many years of family vacations in the British Virgin Islands and a reputation for organization and process, delivering on the brand promise of “excellence in charter boating vacations” is clearly his commitment as well.
Raul Bermudez, Vice President Charter Division
Raul joined the company at the inception of MarineMax Vacations and leads the Charter and Yacht sales effort for MarineMax with more than 15 years of experience in the yacht charter industry.
Raul was with TUI Marine where he held several executive positions including VP of charter sales and marketing. During his 12-year tenure, Raul worked with The Moorings, Sunsail, Footloose, Club Vass, and LeBoat, over 1400 yachts, 1200 canal boats, 12 marinas, and 90 locations in 29 countries and 5 currencies.
Raul helps customers make their dreams a reality - getting paid to vacation in the British Virgin Islands.
TJ Griner, Charter Yacht Sales Manager
TJ Griner is a State of Florida licensed yacht broker with nearly ten years at MarineMax, where he has held roles ranging from Sales Consultant to National Sales Coordinator and Sales Manager. As Charter Yacht Sales Manager for MarineMax Vacations, he leads the charter yacht ownership program and draws on years of brokerage experience to guide owners through every step of the process.
Based in Clearwater, Florida, TJ is known for a customer-first approach and a talent for building lasting relationships. He focuses on designing a seamless ownership experience for each client, pairing close attention to detail with a genuine commitment to their satisfaction in the British Virgin Islands charter market.
Michelle Bonasoro, Office Manager
As Office Manager, Michelle ensures all charter operation logistics and planning are service-oriented and efficient for both our internal teams as well as guest service delivery. Michelle has extensive experience in the BVI charter market. Her clear communication style, integrity, and knowledge of the product are an asset to our in-house teams and charter guests.
Michelle’s first trip to the British Virgin Islands was a High School graduation present with a lifelong friend aboard a bareboat catamaran. This is where Michelle fell in love with the BVI’s and the charter yacht business. Her favorite activity in the BVI’s is snorkeling at Monkey Point, the Indians, and exploring through the Baths.
Tammy Worthing, Charter Sales Consultant
Tammy has been in the charter industry for over 10 years. Prior to joining MarineMax, she planned corporate charters in Seattle. From there, she and her husband cruised on their own sailboat, eventually landing in Clearwater, where she joined the Vacations team in 2012.
Tammy works tirelessly to offer the best possible service to her guests and is passionate about helping create unforgettable charter experiences. Her attention to detail, professionalism, and knowledge of the industry has made her a trusted charter broker.
She has chartered many times in the BVI and Pacific Northwest and has also enjoyed boating in Florida, The Bahamas, and Europe. Tammy is ready to share her knowledge of the beautiful islands and help you plan the trip of a lifetime.
Mallorie Lewis, Charter Sales Consultant
Mallorie specializes in finding you the sailing charter vacation of your dreams. Let Mallorie know how many people, sailing, catamarans or monohull, destination(s), and the types of activities you enjoy. She'll find a recommended sailing company that meets your wishes with the right boat and the right price. With a worldwide fleet consisting of sailing boats from Leopard, Lagoon, Bavaria, Dufour, and Fountaine Pajot, the options are endless.
Mallorie is a Florida native who has enjoyed boating and beaching her entire life. Being of Belgian descent and, a first-generation American within her family, she enjoys traveling. In addition to living in Belgium for four years, she has visited Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Holland and vacationed in the Caribbean on several occasions, including bareboat charters in the BVI, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.
Danielle Gage, Charter Sales Consultant
Danielle is responsible for helping plan your dream vacation with MarineMax Vacations. With Danielle's exceptional customer service, she will be with you from start to finish. Her background is team management, sales, and department operations.
Danielle was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She has grown up in the boating world and spent most of her youth on Lake Havasu, Lake Martinez, and Lake Powell. Danielle married a US Marine in 1996 and spent the last 23 years traveling the world with her husband and three children. She currently owns a Sea Hunt Gamefish 30 with her husband and loves to spend time offshore fishing and scuba diving in the Gulf of Mexico.
Danielle’s love for the water and boating has led her to the MarineMax family, where she is ready to assist you with you vacation planning.
Phillip Underwood, Charter Fleet Manager
Phil has been with MarineMax for 20 years and counting. With an MBA from William Woods University, he specializes in inventory and logistics for the MarineMax Vacations team. From coordinating store management training and organizing vessel movements to managing technicians and assisting our base with difficult-to-find parts, he is the man we go to.
In addition, Phil is passionate about delivering our new and out of fleet owners with all the components they need to personalize their vessels and enhance their ownership experience.
Clarence Malone, Director of Operations, BVI Charter Base
Clarence comes to the team with more than 39 years of experience in the charter industry. Clarence oversees all aspects of charter operations at our Tortola base. Clarence's vast knowledge of charter operations and strong base management skills will continue to strengthen our Tortola Base Team.
Clarence is originally from the beautiful island of Tortola and graduated from the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, Florida.
Maggie Privat, Charter Sales Consultant
Maggie was born and raised in France and has always been passionate about travel and people. Maggie has extensive travel experience visiting many countries, including Germany, Spain, Reunion Island, Martinique, Tunisia, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Canada. Maggie permanently moved to the states in 2001. Prior to joining MarineMax, Maggie worked for the world’s largest canal boat charter operator for six years, and she also worked for a large worldwide sailboat charter company. Maggie is extremely detailed oriented and passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping you plan the perfect vacation.
Alex Pavlakis, Yacht Owner Care
Alex Pavlakis is responsible for our Yacht Owner Care. She is the main point of contact for our valued charter yacht owners for any bookings, records, or inquiries. Alex also oversees MarineMax Team Member BVI vacation bookings and store Changes in Latitudes Getaway’s to the BVI. Additional duties include supporting Raul Bermudez, VP of Charter Yacht Sales, to bring new vessels into the fleet.
Fayola Browne, Head Office Manager
Fayola Browne is our Head Office Manager and oversees everything at our MarineMax Vacations base at Nanny Cay. As a native to the British Virgin Islands, she is an expert in charter services as well as island culture. Fayola has been in the business for over 10 years serving excellence to charter customers by leading our teams in customer service, technical maintenance, housekeeping, and chart and vessel briefing. With Fayola as our “Captain” at MarineMax Vacations, you are sure to have an unforgettable trip of a lifetime!
