Your Crew
CAPTAIN Fraser & MATE/CHEF Olivia
Captain | Fraser Cameron
With an insatiable appetite for adventure, Fraser is a captain that is well suited to guests looking to get off the beaten track to search for adventure and adrenaline. After a lifetime on and in the ocean, it's hard to know whether Fraser is more comfortable on or under the water as in both places he makes it look effortless. Learning to sail in the challenging yachting conditions of the South Pacific and navigating the hazardous passes of coral atolls has left him unflappable even in stressful situations. He is a natural captain, a qualified marine engineer and has a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Coastal Ecology. He is also an avid water sportsman, so whether you are new to water sports or want to improve your skills, Fraser has a knack for identifying the correct tips to pass on to those wanting to learn. After a lifetime of tinkering and time spent engineering in the tug and barge industry there is little that Fraser cannot fix, so rest easy knowing your long-awaited vacation will not be ruined due to unforeseen breakdowns!
Fraser has a curious mind and thoroughly enjoys connecting with guests and learning about their field of expertise. He has a typical laid back New Zealand attitude and prefers to take the charters day by day, taking the lead from guests by seeing what they are in the mood for all while getting off the beaten track and showing guests some of the lesser known but often more beautiful locations of the BVI.
As a young child in Auckland, New Zealand, Fraser started out dingy sailing, and then coastal cruising on small sail boats and power boats. After a childhood of recreational and commercial experience he headed offshore to work in the superyacht industry. With five years' experience in the private luxury yacht charter scene, he is well seasoned in what it takes to provide a high quality, luxury charter.
Following his superyacht years, he returned to NZ to pursue a bachelor's degree in marine and coastal ecology, which is where he met his wife, Chef Olivia. After graduating, the two went on to live a life of adventure. Starting out renovating their home and living a self-sufficient life on 10 acres in the remote bush of West Coast, NZ. They spent 3 years renovating their property and learning to grow enough food to feed their new family. Their first child, Ivy was born there followed by another, Angus. By the time the third was due the pair had had their fill of the wild country and were ready to return to the pristine beaches and ideal boating grounds of the winterless North (of NZ that is). They had their third child there and spent the next couple years enjoying all that Northland had to offer. Fraser got a job as engineer on a coastal tug and barge then was handpicked by the company owner to run their oyster farm operation. However Fraser soon began to get itchy feet and felt as though he was starting to dry out so he began to search for catamarans.
A year later Fraser found himself in French Polynesia where a 2001 Outremer 45 catamaran called Capella awaited him to sail back to NZ. 4 months later, after a breakage a day and many stories filed away, Fraser and three friends spent 22 days sailing Capella back to NZ.
Another year of repairs and many sailing holidays in NZ later the family packed up their home and left NZ waters bound for Fiji where they spent the next 6 months, spearfishing, surfing and exploring.
Not ones to sit back and let life past them by, they soon began dreaming up the next adventure which is how a month after their Fiji trip they found themselves on a 63ft Balance Catamaran in America. After a six-month set up in Florida the family departed for the Bahamas where they spent the next six months exploring and running marine science research charters, hosting scientists from the Perry Institue of Marine Science and assisting with their coral disease research.
Fast forward to October 2025 and the family has established themselves comfortably in the BVI, found an apartment to rent while Fraser and Olivia run charters, adopted a dog, bought a true island car and made many wonderful new friends. A wildly successful first season will soon be followed by a second season that is looking to be increasingly busy.
—Yachting Experience—
South Pacific (New Zealand, Australia, Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, New Caledonia, French Polynesia)
Mediterranean Sea (Greece, Turkey, Straits of Gibraltar, Spain)
Bahamas, BVI, St Martin, Panama Canal, Costa Rica,
USA Eastern Seaboard
—Previous Boats Worked On—
SailNZ ex Americans Cup racing charter yacht (deckhand)
95ft expedition motor yacht Maverick (deckhand)
82ft Choy Lee (first mate)
170ft private motor yacht (deckhand/dive/fishing guide)
120ft alloy yachts private motor yacht (mate/fishing/diving guide)
180ft private motor yacht (deckhand)
82ft Oyster Sailing Vessel (mate)
50m tuna longline (deckhand)
24m tug and barge (engineer)
Cable patrol vessels and large fishing trawlers (relief engineer)
—Yachting Qualifications—
Yacht Master Offshore
Inshore Launch Master
Marine Engineer Class 5
—Water Safety + Scuba Diving—
NZ certified Lifeguard
Dive Master | PADI
—Education—
Bachelor of Marine Science -Majoring in marine and Coastal Ecology | University of Auckland
—Wellness—
Interests: Surfing, Spearfishing, Fishing, Hunting, Board Sports
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chef | Olivia Cameron
Olivia started cooking at a young age, taking inspiration from the influential cooks around her and learning quickly to focus on flavour above all else. Years of working in the hospitality industry taught her to work well under pressure, to take notice of the details and the importance of providing an unforgettable experience for guests.
A gap year in Spain not only meant Olivia became fluent in Spanish but it also introduced her to the flavours of Europe. That and further overseas travel is reflected in her culinary style which infuses global influences. Guests frequently comment on the variety of cuisine as well as the abundance of meal components that are made from scratch. After her years living on the ocean, she understands what people crave after a full day in the sun.
Olivia has two degrees: a Bachelor of Biological Science specializing in Marine Science and a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in Spanish and Geography. She is a keen water woman who enjoys surfing and spearfishing. When not on charter, her days are full, running the charter business as well as homeschooling their three children and completing the many daily tasks she is responsible for with a life at sea.
Late July 2026 guests aboard AWATEA wrote:
<p>If you are even CONSIDERING a trip like this, stop thinking and just DO it. <br> </p><p>Captain Fraser and his wife Olivia FAR exceeded our expectations. </p><p>We took our family of 5 (my husband and I, along with our kids - 22, 18, and 15) for a week and it was just amazing. Perfect mix between adventure and relaxation, with delicious food and drinks every day. We even made the mistake of having dinner one night off-boat and totally regret it. Olivia's food was way better. </p><p>The amenities on their boat surpassed the other options out there, and we had a great time with the efoil, floating ring, inner tubing (my sons' personal high point of the trip!), water scooters, fishing (all 3 kids actually each caught a baracuda, as well as plenty of other fish), and on and on. Fraser and Olivia did a great job hearing what we wanted to do and took us to some truly amazing spots. The snorkeling was just incredible, and has inspired us to look into scuba certification for future trips. The reefs, the various inlets, the hikes, and the views from all around us were just mesmerizing. We snorkeled with sting rays, manta rays, tons of different fish variety, saw gorgeous coral reefs, and just an amazing world under the water. </p><p>The rooms were quite comfy and the layout of the boat was just perfect. It was really great to have so many different "zones" for people to hang out and relax and still have some spread out without being on top of each other. Their Starlink WiFi was a game changer for all of us as well. We capped our week off with another one of their "can't find it elsewhere" amenities - a projector and screen on the back deck, so we could enjoy a movie as a family. Frankly, I could go on and on about this trip, but the best summary is that I could do this trip yearly and never be bored.</p>
A family chartering aboard catamaran AWATEA in June, 2026 wrote:
<p>Our week aboard Awatea in the British Virgin Islands was truly the vacation of a lifetime. Traveling with a multigenerational group can be challenging, but this trip exceeded every expectation and somehow delighted everyone. The boat was very spacious, comfortable, and accessible for teenagers and grandparents alike.</p><p> </p><p>From the moment we stepped aboard, Captain Fraser and Chef Olivia made us feel completely at ease. As the only crew onboard, they worked together so seamlessly that everything appeared effortless, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy every moment. Their warmth, professionalism, and genuine care created an atmosphere that felt both luxurious and wonderfully comfortable. They anticipated our needs before we even realized we had them and somehow managed every detail with grace, energy, and smiles from morning until night.</p><p> </p><p>One of the things that made this trip so special was the experience of sailing itself. There is something incredibly peaceful about gliding from one beautiful anchorage to the next with nothing but the sound of the wind and water around you. Those quiet hours became some of our favorite memories. The adults looked forward to leisurely mornings with fresh coffee, reading on the front deck as the islands drifted by, and ending each day with sundowners while watching the sun sink below the horizon. It was the perfect balance to all of the adventure, giving us time to slow down, reconnect, and simply appreciate being together in such an extraordinary place.</p><p> </p><p>Captain Fraser’s knowledge of the British Virgin Islands was exceptional. Every excursion felt thoughtfully planned. From spectacular snorkeling sites and beautiful secluded anchorages to world-class dive sites, he seemed to know exactly where to take us each day. Scuba diving the wreck of the RMS Rhone was an absolute highlight. Fraser guided us through fascinating swim-throughs with confidence and ease, making the dive both exciting and unforgettable. His passion for the ocean was contagious, and every outing felt like an adventure shared with a friend who knew these waters intimately.</p><p> </p><p>One of our favorite snorkeling memories was discovering a tiny juvenile yellow boxfish—only about 2 cm long! It was such a special reminder of how much there is to see when you’re exploring with someone who truly knows and loves these waters.</p><p> </p><p>One evening, Fraser took us snorkeling through The Baths at dusk, after most of the crowds had disappeared. Having this iconic spot almost entirely to ourselves, with the fading sunlight filtering through the crystal-clear water, felt like pure magic. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences our family will never forget.</p><p> </p><p>Our son was in heaven with all the fishing opportunities, and Fraser enthusiastically shared his love of the water, helping him reel in catches and celebrating every success. Our daughter couldn’t get enough of the underwater sea scooters, which opened up a whole new world beneath the surface. Swimming alongside graceful sea turtles and gliding over stingrays in their natural habitat was surreal—one of those rare experiences that leaves you speechless.</p><p> </p><p>The fun never stopped for the kids. Between swimming, continuous fishing, paddleboarding, relaxing in the hammock, tubing behind the dinghy with Fraser at the helm, and the unforgettable rope swing launched from the roof of Awatea, every day was filled with laughter, excitement, and adventure. Watching the kids’ confidence and joy grow with each new activity was one of the greatest gifts of the trip.</p><p> </p><p>Chef Olivia deserves special recognition. Every meal was simply extraordinary—beautifully presented, fresh, creative, and worthy of a fine dining restaurant. She somehow managed to delight every palate while making each breakfast, lunch, and dinner feel like a celebration. We found ourselves looking forward to every meal almost as much as the day’s adventures. Her ability to create such incredible cuisine while making it all look effortless was nothing short of amazing.</p><p> </p><p>The British Virgin Islands are breathtaking, but it was Fraser and Olivia who transformed a beautiful destination into an unforgettable family experience. Their partnership was remarkable to watch. They balanced safety, adventure, hospitality, and world-class cuisine with an ease that made us feel completely relaxed from beginning to end. They created the perfect experience for three generations of our family, making every person—from our children to our parents—feel seen, included, and cared for. Just as importantly, they understood that the most memorable moments weren’t always the adventurous ones—they also created the space for us to slow down, enjoy the simple pleasure of being under sail, and savor uninterrupted time together as a family.</p><p> </p><p>We returned home with amazing memories, stronger family bonds, and already talking about when we can come back. If you’re considering a charter aboard Awatea, don’t hesitate. Fraser and Olivia are an extraordinary team whose passion, expertise, kindness, and heartfelt hospitality make this so much more than a vacation. They gave our family a week filled with wonder, laughter, adventure, peaceful moments under sail, and genuine connection that we’ll treasure forever. </p><p> </p><p>Thank you for an unforgettable experience—we can’t wait to sail with Awatea again.</p>