Aura
Crew profile

Captain: Jos Smart (UK)
Mate/Stewardess: Julia Taylor (UK)
Chef: Dominic Horl (Germany)

Jos and Julia hail from England and have been traveling together for over 11 years. After meeting whilst teaching watersports in Greece, they subsequently ran luxury ski chalets and villas in Europe before transitioning to yachting. They have been chartering in the Caribbean together for over 8 years.

Jos earnt his commercial Yachtmaster qualification from the Royal Yachting Association and holds all the necessary credentials to safely captain AURA throughout your charter. He will also be your Divemaster onboard, showing certified divers the magic of the underwater world. We’ve lost count, but he has over 400 dives with guests here in the BVI. An avid fisherman, he will also spend hours with those wanting to fish!

Julia enjoys looking after the guests onboard and ensuring they are happy, having fun and never with an empty glass in hand! Originally from an education background, she especially enjoys families and kids onboard. For active guests, she will happily take those looking for an adventure hiking on the trails around the BVI. Both love what they do and are committed to creating vacations you will remember for a lifetime.

 

Chef: Dominic Horl
Dominic, born and raised in the German ore Mountains, has always been close to nature and the elements. After a long career in Michelin star restaurants as a Chef all over Europe, adventure was calling and in 2018 he started working as a Chef on charter boats in the US and British Virgin Islands. Also holding a sommelier degree, he skillfully pairs dishes with fine wine to enhance your dining experience. Dominic’s passion for creativity shines through in his melding of global flavors and techniques to craft dishes that surprise and impress both the palate and the eye.

Beyond the kitchen, Dominic’s love for the sea, expressed through freediving and scuba diving, inspires his menus, featuring sustainable seafood and ocean inspired cuisine.