The people behind the Wakatobi experience
To establish a resort in an unpredictable and remote location such as Wakatobi, and to then consistently deliver a top notch guest experience, takes a huge and ongoing team effort. See below just some of the people in the enthusiastic team who bring you the Wakatobi experience.
Board
David Emery
David Emery, a Swiss national, is the Founder and Chairman of Reciprocus Pte Ltd, a Global M&A Advisory Boutique based in Singapore. Prior to setting up his own firm in October 2011, he was with Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) for over 16 years, lastly as a Member of D&B Corp’s Executive Board, President of Asia Pacific and Head of International Business Development and M&A.
David serves as an Advisor to a variety of organizations and government agencies and sits on several boards, for instance as an Independent Director of Spice Private Equity, an investment company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. He is also an Entrepreneur in his own right, mainly as an early stage investor and as such was one of Wakatobi’s “Angels” in the late 90s.
Since then he has been actively involved with Wakatobi’s board in different capacities, as an advisor, project manager and director. In June 2020 he accepted the position of Executive Chairman.
David is a passionate believer in sustainable initiatives for the greater good and as such he considers Wakatobi one of his most impactful entrepreneurial undertakings.
Hwee Keng Teng Maeder
Hwee Keng grew up in Singapore and graduated from National University of Singapore. After finishing her studies, she worked in Private Banking looking after Asian clients out of Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland. For Hwee Keng, the connection with clients and understanding how they developed their lives and successes was a source of inspiration and satisfaction. Through family and friends surrounding her she was always immersed in an entrepreneurial environment. After her second child was born, her priorities took another path, and she became more involved in the family business with her Swiss husband.
Hwee Keng is a member of the Singapore Institute of Directors and has served on the board of Wakatobi since 2019. She has witnessed Wakatobi’s growth from the beginnings and over the years gained a deep understanding of the business, its mission, and the people that drive and support it. She is also a passionate and highly experienced scuba diver. As much as she enjoys sharing her passion with ocean lovers from all over the world coming to Wakatobi, what drives her is the purpose and the opportunities it brings to peoples’ lives.
“ESG [Environmental, Social, Governance] may be on everybody’s lips today but for me it spells out what has been my connection to Wakatobi for the last 25 years–the Reef Conservation at the core of its business model, the responsibility towards our staff and the local communities who are hosting the resort in their midst, and the understanding that good and fair processes and good governance will bring about respect and trust over time. And maybe an L should be added to ESG to signify the love for what we are doing and the love for the people sharing our mission and enjoying our product,” Hwee Keng says.
Advisory Board
Christoph Syz
Christoph Syz, of Swiss nationality, is the Founder and CEO of Patrimonium, an independent Swiss manager of alternative investment classes with investment focus on capital market financing for medium-sized companies, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Private Equity, since 2007.
Before setting up Patrimonium, Christoph had already started other ventures – from 1991 to 1999, a sales and marketing company for the outdoor sports industry with a turnover of more than EUR 25 million, and then from 1999 to 2002, a cash and commodity management software solution provider for the Austrian, German and Swiss Fashion and Sports retailers, which later underwent a merger, with Christoph then taking on the role of Chairman of the Board and CEO of the merged entity thereafter from 2002 to 2009.
Christoph has also served on the boards of several organizations, including taking on the role of Executive Vice Chairman of an international manufacturer of windsurfing, snowboarding and kiteboarding hardware from 2003 to 2005, and being appointed as an Executive Member of the Management Board of Hermes Precisa International, an investment holding company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (now known as Airesis) from 2002 to 2004.
By serving as a member of Wakatobi’s Advisory Board, Christoph will indeed bring valuable insights to the business, particularly with his experience in real estate and infrastructure.
Christian Duhain
With more than forty years’ experience in the aviation and defense industries, Christian Duhain combines a rare mix of international business acumen and an understanding of industrial strategy acquired throughout his career. From a career beginning as an engineer in airborne avionics at Thales, he progressed to managing major sales programs for market leaders such as Dassault and Matra Defense. His strong drive and management skills led him to become Corporate President of EADS International in 2005, where he successfully conducted the group’s worldwide strategy for Airbus, ATR, CASA, Eurocopter, Astrium, and MBDA.
Christian left EADS International in 2011 to create Athen Development in Singapore, which provides consultancy services to corporations looking to develop in the Asia-Pacific region through direct sales, internal or external growth. Christian has diversified his activity scope by creating various successful companies such as Global Sky Trade and others. His interest and passion for interior design has also led him to venture into hospitality with properties in Bali.
As a member of Wakatobi’s Advisory Board, Christian will contribute to the company's growth and future based on his extensive experience and connections in Asia.
Duncan Craig
Duncan Craig is a multi-faceted hospitality professional who draws on 37 years of diverse experience in hotel and restaurant management to provide clients with a global perspective. He has worked in the United States and throughout the Asia-Pacific region including Japan, India, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, and Bangladesh, representing brands such as Four Seasons, Regent, Radisson, Hard Rock and Jamie Oliver.
Duncan's experience in the hotel industry includes serving as food and beverage director, hotel manager, general manager, and corporate director of operations. In the restaurant industry he has held the positions of executive vice president of two multi-unit/multi-country restaurant companies operating globally.
Duncan is the Founder and CRO (Chief REBEL Officer) of REBEL VENTURES, an Asia-Pacific-based hospitality consultancy offering a range of services including asset management, hotel/resort development, restaurant conceptualization, executive development, and opening assistance. He thrives in bringing his depth of knowledge and perspective to any problem or challenge. With a passion for life, Duncan's interests stretch from wine and spirit exploration to outdoor sports, including scuba diving and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
“I am excited to be able to leverage my years of experience — especially those involving resort development and operations— for the benefit and further development of the amazing Wakatobi franchise,” he says, “and I am honoured to be part of the Advisory Board."
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Management
Lorenz Mäder - Founder
Lorenz learned to skin dive from his father at the age of four, and developed an early interest in marine biology, with Jacques Cousteau as his inspiration. He received his scuba certification at age 15, and after exploring several different professions he embraced his passion for the ocean to become a Dive Instructor in the Maldives and Dive Exploration Cruise Director in the Red Sea.
Lorenz's language skills — he is fluent in Swiss, German, English, French and conversational Indonesian — served him well in the dive tourism industry. After building up several professional dive operations, he set out to find the ideal location to create a resort that would provide both protection for the marine environment and sustainable economic benefits for the local community.
In addition to founding the resort and establishing Wakatobi's acclaimed Collaborative Reef Conservation Program, he discovered, explored and named all of the resort's dive sites. With more than 15,000 dives and extensive CMAS, TDI, PADI credentials, he remains active in all phases of resort operation, and continues to seek out new underwater opportunities.
"I believe that alignment of interests with local communities, including long term financial interests, can do much more to protect the valuable reef resources in Indonesia than a rigid system of grants and education attempts by environmental organizations ever could,” Lorenz says. “There is much more to building a successful business than protecting some of the finest reefs on the planet. We have to deliver a world-class experience to the most discerning divers that starts the minute they set their minds on coming to Wakatobi and extends to the times they fondly relate it to their diving buddies back home."
Gede Kawit - Hotel Manager
Gede Kawit was born in April 1970 in a small village near Singaraja, Bali. He studied at a Business Administration College from 1995 to 2000 and joined the Wakatobi team in February 2007 as Hotel Manager.
Before taking the position at Wakatobi, Kawit was assistant general manager at the Aston Nardini Hotel in Ubud, Bali.
Kawit was motivated to take the position with Wakatobi by his interest in marine life and was drawn to Wakatobi's remoteness as an opportunity to see new, exotic critters. Kawit is an avid snorkeler and is looking to begin scuba diving. Another appealing factor that came with this was the opportunity to become involved with a true participant in eco-tourism. Kawit believes that diving is obviously the most important aspect of the Wakatobi experience but takes it upon himself to ensure superb land-based facilities for his guests.
"I am very happy to be a part of Wakatobi Dive Resort because we are running the resort the right way, preserving our marine environment while giving our guests the best holiday experience of their lives."
Guest Experience Consultants
Karen Stearns - Florida, USA
As Wakatobi Resort's Marketing and Media Relations Director, Karen handles all aspects of promotion and media relations, show participation and other aspects of maintaining a global brand footprint. She works closely with the sales team to promote the brand to a world-wide customer base.
Karen is an avid diver and dedicated conservationist with an extensive background in dive travel. She has created and managed media campaigns for the diving, boating and sport fishing industry, worked with groups such as the Ocean Conservancy, and participated in collaborative initiatives with tourism boards, scuba equipment manufacturers and travel agencies. She is a graduate of University of South Carolina and the University of Miami, with degrees in communications and marketing. For many years Karen served as Director of Marketing for Spectrum Health, worked on market research for Darden Restaurants and served as Assistant Vice President at Fidelity National Financial. She lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with her husband Walt, a renowned photojournalist.
“It is both an honor and a pleasure to work with such a great team of talented professionals. From the guest experience consultants to the administrative team in Bali and the entire staff at the resort, there is a single-minded focus on service and providing our guests with a premier vacation experience. It's equally rewarding to know that our efforts provide protection for our treasured marine ecosystem as well as positive economic and social benefits for the local community.”
Robert Parrington - United Kingdom
Robert has had a passion for diving for many years and continues to assist in training divers in the UK.
"For me the thrill is about sharing diving with all sorts of people and joining in their journey of wonder and excitement as we discover the amazing world under the sea".Having dived in many places around the world I have been lucky to have met some incredible individuals and now, with Wakatobi, I am able to continue to share that love of diving with what I consider to be the very best of dive operations.Robert has also been involved with UNESCO Associated Schools and is thrilled that Wakatobi Dive Resort is leading the way in sustainability and educational and scientific study around reef management. "Understanding how we as humans interact with our environment will be crucial to all our futures. Showing what can be achieved in collaboration with local villages is fantastic 'research in action' at Wakatobi".
Randal Sanders - Louisiana, USA
Randal began his diving career in 1975, and spent the next ten years plunging into Caribbean, Bahamas, and Gulf of Mexico waters. His first tropical Pacific trip forever changed his interests, and he became an Indo-Pacific trip promoter. He learned of Wakatobi from friends who returned with rave reviews, he began investigating, and the more he looked, the clearer it became. With a background in engineering, he marvels at the utopia Wakatobi's founders established on a tiny, remote, island on the Indonesian frontier. "After cruises on a number of premier live-aboards, I never thought I'd enjoy a land-based Indo-Pacific trip," he says.
"My diving experience at Wakatobi was superior to anything on a live-aboard, and I've decided there's no need to dive anywhere else."
Bob Kippola - California, USA
'Outdoor Adventurer' is the best catch phrase to describe Bob Kippola, who handles Wakatobi's sales for Northern California. Having dived all over the world, while working for a resort software company, Bob found paradise in Wakatobi's placid waters with abundant marine life. Bob has traveled extensively throughout Indonesia, from Raja Ampat to Lombok to Java, and has explored Bali extensively.When not diving Bob is active in his local mountain bike trail organization in Vail, Colorado, skiing various back country peaks in the winter and adding in a good dose of bird watching when he travels.
"Wakatobi's commitment to reef preservation is unprecedented in the industry. Sharing this resource with the local population is key to keeping the reefs pristine for many generations to come; I am honored to represent an organization with such vision and passion for protecting our natural resources, "says Bob.
Frank Owens - USA, Canada
Frank began diving in 1993, and soon after landed a job with a major scuba equipment manufacturer. In 2006 he became an independent sales rep and developed deeper relationships with local dive shops. An avid underwater photographer, he selected his personal dive vacations based on the quality of underwater photo opportunities. "It disappointed me to see the degradation of reefs and lack of synergy within a destination," Frank says.
"I was initially attracted to Wakatobi for the world-renowned diving, amenities and service, but soon realized that Wakatobi was not just a destination, but a journey in the preservation of our underwater environment."
Steven Miller - Ohio, USA
Steve became a Scuba Instructor in 1980, and has worked in the Diving Industry ever since. Underwater Photography has always been one of his passions, and he has led a number of trips to exotic locations over the years. "Now that I've found Wakatobi, my search is over." he says.
"Covering the Great Lakes Region allows me to do what I love: teaching underwater photography and telling groups about my all time favorite destination: Wakatobi."
Linda Cash - New South Wales, Australia
As a Professional PADI open Water Scuba Instructor, nature lover, trekker and amateur photographer, Linda has developed a unique insight into dive and nature based tourism in small island destinations. Her passion for diving began in Nelson Bay, Australia in the mid 90’s and grew significantly during the 10 years she spent living and working on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.
For 14 years, Linda was the Marketing Manager for Christmas Island Tourism, and successfully promoted the island as an Ecotourism destination for domestic and international visitors, including scuba divers, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.
Linda’s personal pursuits have taken her to many small island dive and nature based eco-destinations worldwide, providing her with the perspective of a nature and scuba diving traveler as well as a dive and nature based tourism professional.
"As a diver, Wakatobi has always been a dream destination for me – I have admired the conservation philosophy of Wakatobi Dive Resort for many years. It’s a dream come true to not only be able to experience Wakatobi and Pelagian liveaboard, but to be able to share that experience with our guests and help them achieve their dreams of visiting Wakatobi."
Stefanie Voigt - Germany, EU
Stefanie turned her lifelong passion for the underwater world into a career as an instructor, underwater camera operator and marine film production coordinator. An avid diver since 1982, she has produced documentaries, commercials and other productions with mainly marine-related themes. As a sales and marketing representative for Wakatobi, she now enjoys the opportunity to utilize her creative and communications skills to enhancing the resort's presence within the German-speaking markets and beyond. "I am looking forward to be a valuable asset and working with such a professional team." she says.
"Even though we may be located thousands of miles apart, we join forces for one precious spot that is Wakatobi."
Michelle Winkel - Florida, USA
Michelle's first love is the ocean, and she enjoys sharing her passion with others as a PADI, MSDT and DAN instructor. She combines a 15-plus year career in sales and marketing for Continental and United Airlines with her interests in the industry, where she has been involved in a variety of online marketing and video production projects. In addition to diving, she enjoys photography and cycling. "My love for the ocean and scuba diving brought me to Wakatobi, and as luck would have it I was given the opportunity to represent my favorite dive destination as a guest experience representative," she says.
"I love working with such a great team of professionals - from the staff in Bali to those throughout the UK and Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA, it is truly a pleasure."
Bali Office
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CrispinDirector of Operations |
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Kadek AriOffice Assistant |
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YosiePurchasing Coordinator |
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LinaPurchasing |
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YetaAccounting |
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Gus RaiAccounting |
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GithaAccounting |
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AyuAccounting |
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StijnBali Concierge Chief |
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DharmaBali Concierge, Sales & Operations |
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SatriaBali Concierge, Sales |
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DebbyBali Concierge |
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MadeAirport Representative |
Dive Team
Christian Gloor - Swiss
Dive Center Manager
Dive Experience Manager
The IT Guy
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor
Chris began his career in Switzerland as a mechanical engineer, then transitioned to work as an IT service consultant. Although raised far from the sea, he was always attracted to water and took up diving in 1997. He became an instructor in 2008 in the Swiss lakes. In 2009, he permanently traded his suit and tie for a wetsuit and left for Greece, then Thailand before arriving in Indonesia where he has now been living for more than seven years. He can't really envision himself working anywhere else in the world anymore.
"Coming from a small country, it is amazing to live in Indonesia where the diversity of people, cultures, landscapes and marine environments seems endless," he says. Chris can be found on his days off on the House Reef or on the dive boats to photograph the amazing life and underwater scenery found at Wakatobi. In the evening, if the sky is clear, you will most likely see him stargazing with his telescope.
"After so many years in the diving industry, it is refreshing to have finally found a place where an economic sustainability and outstanding service can be achieved while offering great working conditions and actively protecting the marine ecosystem," Chris says. "I am very inspired and amazed by what has been put in place at Wakatobi. Contributing to such an organization gives me pride and the drive to do better every day."
Chris speaks French, English, Italian and some German.
Claire Greathead - British
Dive Center Manager
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Master Instructor
Claire discovered her passion for diving in 2005 while working on a marine research conservation program in Madagascar. This experience led her to pursue diving as a professional career on her return to England.
After managing a dive center for several years and teaching in the icy cold British waters, the lure of travel and warmer waters brought Claire to Asia, where she spent time diving the region and also expanding her skills in technical diving while she was in Bali. She then moved to Egypt to work as a dive instructor in the Red Sea. But having fallen in love with Indonesia, Claire always knew she would return when the right opportunity arose. This opportunity turned out to be Wakatobi.
"It is a privilege to work at Wakatobi," Claire says. "The reefs are the richest and most beautiful I have ever seen. The conservation program is world-class and an inspiration for other dive centers all over the world to protect our precious oceans."
Claire speaks English and is learning Indonesian.
Andrea Balin - Italian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer & SSI Advanced Instructor
Andrea has a degree in Economics from Italy, and worked as an accountant in his previous life. Prior to joining the team at Wakatobi, he worked in various resorts in the Maldives for more than nine years, both as a dive guide and a dive center manager.
“I had been wanting to join Wakatobi for a couple of years, and was so happy when my chance finally came, he says. “Diving the beautiful reef of Wakatobi is a privilege in itself, but the bigger joy is being able to share this reef with others.”
Andrea speaks English and Italian.
Ramon Crivilles - Spanish
Cruise Director
PADI MSDT – SSI Platinum Advanced Instructor
RAID Master Instructor
Ramon was born in Barcelona but not by the sea. He completed studies in business and economics, and worked as a CFO for more than 15 years. Ramon fell in love with diving in 1995 during a vacation in the Dominican Republic. It was “a magical and fascinating underwater world,” he says. Diving became Ramon's passion and in 2011, he decided to leave his work and pursue a professional life in diving. Ramon has dived in many locations across the world, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Red Sea, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Golf of Thailand, Andaman Sea, Celebes Sea and Banda Sea.
After accumulating more than 5000 dives and 700 diving certifications (from OW to Divemaster) Ramon began searching for a new challenge, and found himself at Wakatobi.
“Working in Wakatobi is incredible,” he says. “You are able to dive in beautiful reefs and find amazing creatures—but our work does not end after the dive. Our joy also comes from meeting and interacting with our guests, learning their cultures and gaining life lessons.”
Ramon speaks Spanish, English, French, Portuguese and Catalan.
Silvia Fossaluzza - Italian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Instructor
SSI Advanced Instructor
Silvia began pursuing interests in art and design in Italy, then decided to leave it behind to explore the natural art of the underwater world. She became an instructor in the Maldives, where she accumulated years of diving and teaching experience before joining the dive team with Wakatobi. According to Silvia, “the Maldives was my first love, but Wakatobi is my biggest love.”
Silvia believes that Wakatobi’s remote location and the twice-a-week flight schedule encourages guests to stay longer, which allows the dive staff to build a meaningful relationship with guests, beyond just diving together. “Sharing the passion for the underwater world is always a special opportunity,” she says.
Silvia speaks English and Italian.
Made Martawan (Mali) - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Divemaster
Mali was born in Bali, and still calls Bali home when he is not diving the magnificent reefs of Wakatobi. Mali obtained his Divemaster credentials in 2009. Prior to joining the Wakatobi dive team, he worked as a freelance guide on Komodo Liveaboards for three years, then spent two years on a liveaboard in Raja Ampat. Mali especially loves meeting guests from around the world, and enthusiastically shares his knowledge of the reefs and marine life.
"Wakatobi is the best place I have ever worked,” says Mali. “Here, the reefs are very special because we are devoted to our conservation programs and continued protection of our ecosystems."
Mali speaks Indonesian and English.
Christian Victor Masihor - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Divemaster
Christian is from Manado in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, where he learned to dive. He started guiding divers in 2007 in Bunaken National Park and Lembeh Straits and then worked as a freelance dive guide in North Sulawesi before moving to Bali. He called Bali home for 8 years, working as a dive guide throughout the area as well as Nusa Penida.
"The coral reefs at Wakatobi are super beautiful," Christian says. "I love the coral, I love the colors and the marine life behaviors and the topography is amazing here. My favorite creatures are the small things, especially the pygmy seahorses."
Christian is very proud of the conservation philosophy at Wakatobi and the protective measures in place here. "It makes me very proud to be a part of this organization," he says.
When not diving, Christian's passion is Gospel Music. "I played drums in the church for our Sunday service ever since I was a kid." Christian's laugh is infectious and it brings a smile to most everyone.
Christian speaks Indonesian and English.
Shoko Miike - Japanese
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Shoko started diving in Japan in 1995, moving to Australia to complete her instructor course and work for a while, following which she moved to a tiny island in the Maldives, where she remained, working in diving for 8 years. Now diving every day in Wakatobi, she never ceases to find joy in even the smallest and rarest creatures which are so abundant in this area.
"I find the reefs in Wakatobi to be the healthiest I’ve ever dived. The colors are so bright and vivid and the search for all the rare creatures which are not found elsewhere is always an adventure. The entire dive team is great and I just can’t wait to get up in the mornings and go diving!"
Shoko speaks Japanese and English. In her spare times she can be found underwater on the house reef taking macro shots, her hobby and her passion.
Demma Muji - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Divemaster
Growing up in South Sulawesi, Muji was drawn to the sea at an early age. It's hard for him to remember whether he learned to swim first, or to walk first!
Muji worked for many years in Java and Bali in the hospitality and tourism industry, during which time he would take every opportunity he could to snorkel and dive. He found a home in Wakatobi and has been a long-standing member of the team for over 8 years, working in various positions and managing a team as Head Butler. Hearing constantly about the macro critters that live on the Wakatobi reefs, he could wait no longer and, instead of spending all his free time diving, decided to instead make diving his career.
"Since my first dive in Wakatobi, I could not help but dream about being part of the dive team – finally I changed career path and I could never look back. Even after diving in other areas of my country, I was very impressed with the impact of Wakatobi’s conservation program on the quality of the reefs here. This is somewhere that we can actually make a difference."
His experience in hospitality and his love of the ocean make Muji very attentive to his guest’s needs. He may look shy when you first meet him, but he is always harmonious, with a ready smile and happy to spend time with people.
Muji speaks Indonesian and English.
Judith Terol Oto - Spanish
Cruise Director
PADI MSDT
SSI Platinum Advanced Instructor
RAID Master Instructor
Judith is from Barcelona where she received her MA in Business Management and worked in a marine equipment industry for 15 years. After she was introduced to diving in 2001 by Ramon, a desire to travel and dive continued to grow and it wasn’t long before Judith and Ramon decided to leave their corporate jobs and pursue a new life together. Judith became an instructor in Asia and continued to gain diving experience from Asia to Europe, and all over in between.
“During every step along this journey in diving, I fall in love with it more and more. Working in Wakatobi is a dream, to be able to discover a new part of the world, where we find new life every day. We love the adventure that Pelagian brings us, and you can find us there most of the time.”
Judith speaks Spanish, English, French, Portuguese and Catalan.
Rusdi - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Divemaster
Rusdi learned to dive in Lombok and moved to Bali in 2003 where he obtained his divemaster credentials and worked in Padang Bai. He returned to Lombok and worked on a pearl farm for just over two years before transitioning to a dive guide position at an eco resort on Moyo Island, East Java. Later, he learned about Wakatobi through some of the guests he met while working at dive centers in Raja Ampat and Komodo. "They told me that Wakatobi was one of the best, even better than Raja Amat," he says. After hearing this, he was determined to find out for himself.
Rusdi is very impressed by the pristine environment of Wakatobi. "Everywhere you dive here there are stunning corals," he says. "It is such an advantage being so remote and it helps to keep the marine environment pristine." His favorite critter is the mantis shrimp and he also loves the orangutan crab.
Rusdi's family is in Lombok and he spends three months at Wakatobi and one month at home. He is very pleased with his work-life balance. When home in Lombok, Rusdi loves to run and "to be at one with nature." One of his favorite things to do is hiking the Rinjani volcano crater in Lombok.
Rusdi speaks Indonesian and English.
Chiara Sola - Italian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Instructor
Chiara's love for animals and nature motivated her to earn a degree in biology, and she became a dive instructor soon after. Like her parents, she felt a strong attraction to the ocean, and learned to dive as a teenager. After graduation, she started her professional dive career in the Red Sea, and went on to work in the Maldives, Central America, Mediterranean Sea and now Indonesia.
"Wakatobi's pristine reefs give me the opportunity to fully relax underwater while observing interesting animals' behavior I have never seen anywhere else," she says. "I am glad to be here and to be able to share my knowledge and passion for the oceans with other divers."
Chiara speaks English and Italian.
Ketut Suardika - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Ketut has been diving since 1995. With over 4,000 dives, he now enjoys passing on his knowledge and experience of Indonesia's underwater world to others. Also a PADI Instructor, Ketut enjoys teaching many different courses, including Nitrox specialties.
Ketut is friendly and enthusiastic. With a passion for photography both underwater and above, he enjoys identifying and photographing the challenging, hard to find creatures, and helping others do the same.
"The thing I love most about diving around Wakatobi is getting away from the crowds. I can enjoy these pristine reefs everyday, sharing only with a few others."
Ketut speaks Indonesian and English.
Sutiyono - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Sutiyono, known as Yono, was born in Central Java where he spent his early years developing a love for the underwater world swimming in Java’s beautiful rivers. After finishing his studies, he moved to Bali, where he worked in travel and tourism with a Bali-based travel agency.
He did his first dive in Bali. “It changed my world,” Yono says. Soon after he committed to becoming a full-fledged PADI professional and for years worked in Bali introducing divers to this special realm he had grown to love.
Yono joined the Wakatobi team after his friends mentioned the healthy, beautiful reefs and enjoyable working conditions. "The reefs in Wakatobi are the most pristine I have ever seen, but more important, I am proud to be part of a great team working in a unique place that educates, contributes and protects our country's environment for future generations."
"I love the rich walls at Wakatobi and the many fans like those at Cornucopia and Fan38. I also enjoy the challenge of finding the name of a fish or critter that I didn't know before and learning about fish behavior from observation. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to share my knowledge with our guests."
Yono is a gentle family man, who is a team player with an easy-going nature. His passions in life are his family, diving and sharing the marine world with others.
Yono speaks Indonesian and English.
Terry Takarendehang - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Divemaster
Terry is from Siau Island, North Sulawesi. He completed his Open Water Dive course in Bunaken, where he also worked in the compressor room and spent time perfecting his English. Prior to joining Wakatobi, Terry completed his professional qualifications on the island of Nusa Lembongan and then worked there gaining experience as a guide and Divemaster. In his spare time, Terry enjoys playing his guitar and enjoys games of soccer with his Wakatobi teammates and the local villagers.
"I feel very comfortable at Wakatobi, the dive organization here is the best in my experience. Wakatobi’s guests are great and it is a pleasure to work for them. The reefs here are the most beautiful I have ever seen, so it is very easy and gratifying to share them with our guests."
Terry speaks Indonesian and English.
Mohamad Yusuf - Indonesian
Dive Experience Manager
PADI Divemaster
Yusuf was born in East Java, in the southern city of Banyuwangi. His interest in diving started when he saw a TV program about the beauty of the underwater world. Soon after, he moved to Bali and learned to dive. “Immediately after my first moments underwater I felt that diving was already a part of my life, and I could not let it go."
"I’m very proud to have these healthy reefs and diversity in my country. Working for a company that has the vision to protect and preserve the underwater world became a dream for me. I am so happy that I have found a home here at Wakatobi."
Yusuf speaks Indonesian and English.
"“We had a wonderful two weeks. The diving was fantastic. All the staff went above and beyond in making us feel welcome. We felt like guests, not just customers.”"
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