Mike van der Wal and Jules Minkhorst have been following their passions together for fishing and exploring the Pacific Ocean for over 12 years. Their love of the water and the great outdoors led them to set up the Pacific Monarch Charters business in 2004 as a way of sharing their favourite New Zealand locations and experiences with others.

Together they've spent over 5000 hours on the beautiful waters of New Zealand. Some of their favourite excursions include game fishing for Marlin and Broadbill Swordfish out from the Bay of Islands, North Cape or Great Barrier Island; Snapper fishing in the Hauraki Gulf or the Far North; Diving the picturesque outer islands or kicking back for lunch and a glass or wine at a Waiheke Island Vineyard.

The husband and wife team run the boat like clockwork – with Mike skippering the boat (he holds a commercial skippers license) while Jules enjoys hosting guests and playing deck hand.

A testament to Jules’ “passion for fishing”, she holds the Women's Champion Angler (Manukau Sports Fishing Club) title for the second year running. And the Pacific Monarch team currently hold the record for catching New Zealand's largest Tiger Shark.

Mike is a passionate skipper with expeditions around the Pacific including - Hawaii, Tonga and Vanuatu. In New Zealand he has spent many hours as skipper off the coast including The Three Kings, and White Island and has fished two seasons for Giant Blue fin Tuna off the South Island Coast. Both Mike and Jules are enthusiastic, fit and social people who enjoy diving, hiking, swimming, good food and great New Zealand wine.