Updated: May 2026
Meet Our Team of Specialists
The soul of the Raja Ampat Freedive Society is our people. We are a collective of seasoned hospitality experts, certified master freedivers, marine conservationists, and logistical wizards, united by a passion for Indonesia’s natural heritage. Each member of our team brings a wealth of experience and a deep, personal commitment to delivering flawless, safe, and unforgettable experiences. Our credibility is built on verifiable expertise, as detailed in our Editorial Standards.
Budi Santoso
Founder & Chairman, Juara Holding Group
Credentials: Over 25 years in Indonesian luxury hospitality, with senior leadership roles at Four Seasons and Aman Resorts. Graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
Bio: Budi is the visionary behind Juara Holding Group. His passion for showcasing Indonesia’s unparalleled beauty to a global audience, combined with his exacting standards for service, led to the creation of the Raja Ampat Freedive Society. He saw the potential for a truly world-class, niche travel experience that honored both the client and the destination. Budi oversees the group’s strategy, ensuring that our operations reflect the pinnacle of luxury and ethical tourism.
Sarah Wijaya
Head of Operations, Raja Ampat
Credentials: AIDA Master Freediver Instructor, EFR Instructor, former Marine Biologist with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
Bio: Based full-time in Waisai, the capital of the Raja Ampat Regency, Sarah is the heart of our on-the-ground operations. Her unique background as both a scientist and an elite freediver gives her an unparalleled understanding of the region’s delicate ecosystems and the best, safest ways to explore them. Sarah personally vets every partner vessel, guide, and dive site. She maintains our strong relationships with the Raja Ampat Marine Park Authority and local communities, ensuring our presence is always a positive one.
Jean-Pierre “JP” Dubois
Lead Safety & Training Advisor
Credentials: PADI Master Freediver Instructor, Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor, Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor Trainer, DAN DEMP Instructor.
Bio: With over a decade of experience teaching freediving in the world’s most challenging environments, JP is our authority on safety and training. He designed our rigorous safety protocols, which exceed industry standards, and personally trains all our guides. JP’s methodology focuses on conservative dive planning, advanced rescue techniques, and a deep understanding of freediving physiology. His primary role is to ensure that every client, from beginner to competitive athlete, can push their limits in the safest possible environment.
Dewi Lestari
Client Concierge Director
Credentials: Certified Travel Associate (CTA), former Head of VIP Services for a leading ASITA-accredited luxury travel agency in Jakarta.
Bio: From our Jakarta office, Dewi is the master architect of your journey. She orchestrates every logistical detail with flawless precision, from booking Garuda Indonesia business class seats and coordinating private jet arrivals at Sorong (SOQ) to accommodating dietary restrictions and sourcing specific equipment. Her extensive network and deep understanding of the intricacies of Indonesian travel ensure a seamless, stress-free experience from your front door to the heart of Raja Ampat.
Dr. Ardiansyah Putra
Marine Conservation Consultant
Credentials: PhD in Marine Biology, Universitas Indonesia. Published researcher on Coral Triangle megafauna.
Bio: Dr. Putra advises us on our environmental policies and ensures our operations align with the latest conservation science. He helps us select our conservation partners, like WWF-Indonesia and The Nature Conservancy, and develops the educational materials our guides share with clients. His work ensures that our passion for freediving directly contributes to the protection of the marine habitats we are privileged to visit. Learn more about the programs he helps shape on our Sustainability page.
Continue exploring Raja Ampat Freedive Society:
Our Raja Ampat Freedive Society Service ·
Meet Our Team ·
Editorial Standards ·
Methodology ·
Sustainability ·
Safety & Compliance
Imagine the silent ballet of a manta ray gliding just inches above you, the only sound the rhythmic beat of your own heart. This profound connection to the ocean is the essence of a Raja Ampat freedive, an experience meticulously crafted by our team.
The art of seamless freedive expeditions
The sheer scale and remoteness of Raja Ampat, with its over 1,500 islands scattered across an expanse of pristine ocean, presents a unique set of logistical challenges. Our team excels in transforming these complexities into seamless expeditions, ensuring that every journey to this untouched paradise is as effortless as it is exhilarating. From private charters connecting you to the heart of the archipelago to meticulously planned daily excursions, every detail is orchestrated with precision.
This commitment to excellence extends to every aspect of your stay. We integrate the highest standards of luxury hospitality with the spirit of adventure. Guests indulge in gourmet dining prepared by private chefs, relax in exquisite liveaboard accommodations or secluded island resorts, and benefit from personalized service that anticipates every need. Our goal is to blend the thrill of exploration with the comfort and refinement expected from a Condé Nast Traveler-approved experience.
Ensuring your safety and comfort in such a remote environment is paramount. Our logistical wizards, equipped with deep local knowledge and cutting-edge communication systems, navigate the currents and conditions of Raja Ampat with unmatched expertise. This ensures optimal dive sites are chosen daily, and that robust safety protocols, including dedicated safety divers and comprehensive medical preparedness, are always in place, allowing you to immerse fully in the experience with complete peace of mind.
Guardians of the coral triangle: our conservation ethos
Raja Ampat sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, a global epicenter of marine biodiversity. Our freedive specialists are not just guides; they are passionate stewards, deeply committed to preserving this pristine ecosystem for future generations. This dedication is woven into the fabric of every expedition, reflecting our profound respect for the natural world and our responsibility as visitors to this extraordinary place.
This commitment translates into tangible practices: we promote responsible freediving techniques that minimize environmental impact, educate guests on the delicate balance of the reef, and actively support local conservation initiatives. Our presence aims to be a positive force, ensuring that our activities benefit both the vibrant communities of Raja Ampat and the delicate marine environment that sustains them.
The numbers speak to the region’s unparalleled importance: Raja Ampat is home to over 75% of the world’s known coral species and more than 1,400 fish species. Every expedition we undertake adheres to strict eco-tourism guidelines, contributing to ongoing monitoring and protection efforts. By choosing to freedive with us, you become part of a larger movement dedicated to safeguarding one of Earth’s most precious natural treasures.
Beyond the breath-hold: the freediving mastery
Our certified master freedivers transform what might seem daunting into an accessible, meditative art form. They provide personalized coaching, from beginner breath-hold techniques and relaxation exercises to advanced equalization and depth progression, all within the safe confines of a structured program. This bespoke approach ensures that whether you are a novice or an experienced freediver, your skills are honed and your confidence grows with every gentle descent.
Raja Ampat offers an unparalleled freediving canvas. Imagine descending into crystal-clear waters with visibility often exceeding 30 meters, encountering majestic manta rays, schooling barracuda, and vibrant reef sharks. Our guides possess an intimate knowledge of the secret spots – the hidden caves, the pristine coral gardens, and the currents that bring the most spectacular marine life to view, providing encounters that are truly once-in-a-lifetime.
Safety is paramount and non-negotiable. Each freedive excursion is meticulously planned, commencing with comprehensive briefings and executed with dedicated safety divers and continuous monitoring. This meticulous approach allows guests to push their personal boundaries with confidence, experiencing the profound tranquility of the underwater world under the watchful eyes of the industry’s most experienced professionals. The average depth for recreational freediving with our guides ranges comfortably from 5 to 20 meters, offering breathtaking encounters without extreme physiological pressure.
