Crew Profile

Barend (Byron) Groenewald grew up in Paarl, a beautiful small town in the wine country outside of Cape Town. Growing up with a very adventurous family, he had the privilege of enjoying the ocean and all it had to offer from a young age. At the age of 18, he pursued a dream of obtaining a captain's license, which led to 10 years of experience sailing the worlds oceans as a professional, captaining vessels from sailing monohulls, catamarans, and power yachts.

Byron's main passion in life is to share his love of the ocean with others that feel the same and expose those who have never had the chance. With his expertise in all water sports ranging from sailing, diving, wake boarding, waterskiing, free diving and fishing just to name a few. He can accommodate all levels of skill and a varying age group in enjoying the ocean and all it has to offer. Byron's qualifications in the industry make him a great host and teacher in and on the ocean. Having completed his RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and Instructor courses, PADI Rescue Diver and wakeboard/ ski instructor, he is sure to assist all levels from beginner to advanced water sports enthusiast, ensuring that everyone gets the most out of the great wonders the ocean has to offer us.

After exploring and working in destinations about which he had always dreamt (the coast of Africa, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and most of South East Asia), Byron finally had the means to purchase his own sailing catamaran and pursuing his lifelong dream; chartering the beautiful South African-built sailing catamaran SEA CHATEAU.

If you can't find Byron in or on the water, he surely can be found exploring the beautiful islands, always looking for the off-the-beaten-path hidden gems, or interacting with the vibrant locals on the islands, soaking in as much information and culture as possible.

Chef/first mate Dianne is American and grew up near Cape Cod Massachusetts where she obtained a degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in Counseling with a specialization in Special Education. Her passion for travel landed her a job as a therapist on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands in 2012, where she met Captain Byron. Her love for cooking started at an early age, being exposed to New England seafood and a family who loved fishing and being on the sea.

After working in the fine dining industry under world renowned chefs, Dianne decided to bring her passion for outstanding cuisine to Sea Chateau, focusing on freshness and local cuisine, striving to make Sea Chateau one of the most sought after charter yachts in the Caribbean, and sharing with guests why she fell in love with natures little secrets.