CAPTAIN Doyle Van Horn & CHEF Maya Walsh & MATE Tacaro Bester

***BOAT SHOW AWARDS***
Chef Maya Walsh
VIPCA YACHT SHOW 2022
1st Place Best Cocktail & Award for Best Designer Water


Captain Doyle Van Horn
Doyle was born in the heart of Arizona, where he grew up with a ranching background, spending his childhood exploring the woods and rivers of northern Arizona. After high school, he set off on a journey across the U.S., working various construction jobs and other odd gigs. One of these jobs took him to Valdez, Alaska, where he discovered the local marina. Seeing the boats lined up at the docks, he instantly fell in love with the idea of working at sea.

That moment changed everything. Determined to follow his newfound passion, Doyle set his sights on the Virgin Islands. At just 19, he moved to St. Thomas, eager to start his life on the water. Though he started as the "annoying kid" at the dock, constantly asking for work, someone finally gave him a chance. Over the next few years, he worked as crew on a 65-foot sailing catamaran, accumulating sea time and mastering the skills needed to excel on deck. His dedication eventually led to earning his 100-ton master’s license.

In 2003, Doyle was promoted to captain, officially launching his dream career of sailing through the Caribbean. Over the years, he had opportunities to captain various boats, from 100-foot motor yachts to 50-foot day sail cats. His experience took him from running boats for major hotels like The Ritz Carlton to private term charters. His adventures carried him not only through the Virgin Islands but also to Hawaii, the Great Lakes, and down the Eastern Seaboard.

In 2015, he built a boat and launched a small, high-end private day charter business throughout the Virgin Islands. However, in August 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the region, forcing Doyle to return to the mainland. Back in Arizona, he embraced his roots, working as a cowboy for various ranches, sleeping under the stars, and raising cattle. Although he enjoyed the cowboy lifestyle, he always knew his heart belonged to the sea.

In 2021, Doyle sold his horses and moved to St. Augustine, Florida, ready to reignite his seafaring passion. With a renewed sense of purpose, he returned to the islands to pick up where he left off. Now, Captain Doyle is excited to share the secrets he's discovered over two decades of exploration. Whether he’s showing guests the wonders beneath the surface, harnessing the wind to sail between islands, or playing a few tunes on deck during cocktail hour, Doyle ensures that your adventure is tailored to your desires.

Captain Doyle and Chef Maya warmly welcome you aboard Reverie, where you’re sure to experience the trip of a lifetime!




Chef Maya Walsh
Maya spent most of her childhood in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., but also lived between her parents' home countries of Japan and Canada. A lifelong lover of water, she enjoyed body surfing on the beaches of California and sailing and canoeing on the lakes of Ontario. After graduating from the University of Toronto, where she studied Japanese, Spanish, and biology, Maya realized she wanted to pursue a deeper involvement in the culinary world. Her food journey began with six months of WWOOF-ing in Spain and Portugal, followed by a move to Baltimore, where she immersed herself in the vibrant organic urban farming scene. During this time, she worked at an award-winning French bistro, bartended at a natural wine and sake bar, and roasted and served coffee.

In 2020, Maya lived in Japan, where she interned at a Michelin two-star restaurant and worked in a traditional noodle shop. She is a graduate of the Ballymaloe Cookery School, located on an organic farm in Cork, Ireland, as well as the Ashburton Yacht Chef Academy. Having traveled to over 30 countries, her culinary expertise is broad and eclectic. Her passion for food goes beyond cooking; she is committed to sourcing high-quality, seasonal, and local ingredients, fostering strong relationships with producers. Maya particularly enjoys foraging, fermenting, and pickling.

During recent off-seasons, Maya deepened her knowledge of ancient wine culture in the Republic of Georgia and worked the harvest at a low-intervention winery in Slovenia. She also spent time in Honduras, earning her PADI Rescue Diver certification. Maya’s relentless pursuit of gastronomic knowledge, combined with her ability to cater to guests' dietary restrictions, preferences, and culinary aspirations, ensures a unique and memorable dining experience.




Deck Stew Tacaro Bester
Tacaro Bester grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, where her youthful passions were split between riding horses and motorbikes. She competed in showjumping for 10 years while nurturing her equestrian talents. After high school, Tacaro initially studied BSc Mathematical Statistics but realized she wanted something more adventurous in her life. This led her to volunteer with turtles in Madagascar for 3 weeks, an experience that sparked her desire to pursue a career involving the ocean.

With a newfound clarity of purpose, Tacaro moved to the south coast of Durban, South Africa and started a diving internship. She went on to become a certified dive instructor, spending three years working at a renowned dive spot known for its shark diving experiences. Tacaro also worked in Mozambique before embarking on a period of global travels and maritime training.

In 2022, she completed yacht courses, opening up new opportunities including working on a dive boat in Greece for three months. After Greece, she traveled to South Korea and the Philippines to further pursue her passion for diving as an instructor.

Tacaro then set her sights on breaking into the yachting industry. In late 2023, she attended a 10-day yacht bootcamp in the Dominican Republic to prepare. She subsequently traveled to Fort Lauderdale, rapidly building her experience through multiple day-work yachting jobs before landing a temporary position on the 40m sailing yacht Kaori - her first yachting role that brought her to the US Virgin Islands. After her stint on Kaori, Tacaro helped deliver a 50ft catamaran from the Bahamas to the US Virgin Islands, standing watch throughout the day and night to gain valuable nautical miles. She then worked on various other boats in the Virgin Islands, gaining invaluable experience in the area.

It is in these Caribbean islands that Tacaro's future vision has come into focus. Her heart is now set on building a long-term career in the US Virgin Islands running charter catamarans as a Captain. With her diverse skillset as a deckhand, stewardess and dive instructor, Tacaro is equipped to turn her maritime dreams into reality. Wherever her adventures take her, she's sure to make a mean cocktail and greet guests with her bright, signature smile.