Meet Our Team of Curators and Experts
Meet Our Team of Curators and Experts
Our strength lies in our people. The Alor Liveaboard Diving team is a carefully assembled group of seasoned professionals, each a leader in their respective field. We combine decades of international luxury hospitality experience with unparalleled local knowledge of Indonesian maritime culture, marine biology, and dive safety. This unique blend of expertise allows us to deliver a service that is both flawlessly executed and deeply authentic. Every member of our team is dedicated to a single goal: making your Alor diving journey the experience of a lifetime.
Our core team is supported by an extensive network of vetted captains, crew, local guides, and logistics coordinators across Indonesia, all operating under the stringent standards of Juara Holding Group. Learn more about our commitment to accuracy and expertise in our Editorial Standards.
Aria Wibisono
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Juara Holding Group
Credentials: MBA, Cornell University; PADI Advanced Open Water Diver; Member of ASITA (Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies).
Bio: Aria is the visionary behind Juara Holding Group. With a background managing some of Indonesia’s most iconic luxury resorts, including a tenure as General Manager for a world-renowned property in Sumba, he possesses an innate understanding of the discerning traveler’s needs. A passionate diver and advocate for his home country, Aria founded Alor Liveaboard Diving to showcase Indonesia’s hidden gems while setting a new standard for sustainable and ethical tourism. He maintains high-level relationships with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism (Kementerian Pariwisata) and local government bodies in East Nusa Tenggara, ensuring our operations are smooth, compliant, and beneficial to the region.
Dr. Lena Hartono
Head of Marine Conservation & Sustainability
Credentials: Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Universitas Indonesia; Published researcher on Coral Triangle conservation; Certified Reef Check EcoDiver Trainer.
Bio: Dr. Hartono is the scientific and ethical compass of our organization. Her research on the unique coral ecosystems of the Alor-Pantar Strait is foundational to our dive site selection and environmental protocols. She liaises directly with leading conservation organizations like WWF Indonesia and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to ensure our operations contribute positively to marine protection efforts. Lena designed our industry-leading sustainability program, from our carbon-offsetting initiatives to our ‘citizen science’ projects that allow guests to participate in meaningful data collection. Her passion is infectious, and she often joins special expeditions to provide guests with exclusive lectures on Alor’s incredible biodiversity.
Jean-Pierre Dubois
Director of Guest Experience
Credentials: Certified Butler, The International Butler Academy; WSET Level 3 Award in Wines; 20+ years experience with Aman Resorts and Four Seasons.
Bio: Jean-Pierre is the master of meticulous detail. Hailing from France, he has spent two decades perfecting the art of hospitality in the world’s most exclusive settings. He is responsible for the entire guest journey, from the initial inquiry to the final farewell. Jean-Pierre personally audits every partner vessel, curates our onboard culinary programs, and trains all guest-facing staff to deliver proactive, intuitive service. His philosophy is simple: anticipate every need before the guest is even aware of it. It is his touch that transforms a fantastic dive trip into a seamless and truly luxurious experience, starting with VIP handling at Alor’s Mali Airport (ARD).
Captain Budi Santoso
Lead Fleet Captain & Safety Officer
Credentials: Ahli Nautika Tingkat I (ANT I) Master Mariner License; Certified in Advanced Fire Fighting and Medical First Aid; 25 years navigating the Indonesian archipelago.
Bio: Captain Budi is a legend in the Indonesian maritime community. Born into a family of sailors in Sulawesi, he has an unparalleled, instinctual knowledge of the archipelago’s complex currents, weather patterns, and hidden anchorages. He is our lead safety officer, ensuring every vessel in our curated collection not only meets but exceeds the safety standards set by the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Laut). He personally vets and trains all partner captains, instilling a culture of uncompromising safety. Guests can relax knowing they are in the most capable hands in Indonesia. His work is central to our Safety & Compliance promise.
Putu Lestari
Lead Dive Concierge & Photographer
Credentials: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT); 5000+ logged dives; Certified Underwater Photographer.
Bio: Putu is the heart of our diving operations. Originally from Bali, she has spent the last decade exploring the most remote corners of the Coral Triangle. As a PADI MSDT, she is an expert in dive safety and instruction, but her true talent lies in her ability to curate the perfect underwater experience. Whether a guest is a novice diver or a professional photographer searching for a specific critter, Putu tailors each dive profile to their skills and desires. Her encyclopedic knowledge of Alor’s dive sites and marine life is second to none. She leads our team of expert dive guides, ensuring every Alor liveaboard diving excursion is safe, thrilling, and unforgettable.
Continue exploring Alor Liveaboard Diving:
Our Alor Liveaboard Diving Service ·
Meet Our Team ·
Editorial Standards ·
Methodology ·
Sustainability ·
Safety & Compliance
Crafting bespoke voyages into Alor’s underwater marvels
Imagine the cool kiss of the turquoise Banda Sea against your skin as you plunge into a world teeming with kaleidoscopic coral gardens and elusive marine life. Our Alor liveaboard diving experiences are meticulously designed to transcend the ordinary, offering more than just dives; they are curated expeditions into one of Indonesia’s most pristine and biodiverse marine ecosystems. The Alor Strait, a confluence of nutrient-rich currents, creates a vibrant underwater tapestry, a haven for both macro enthusiasts seeking pygmy seahorses and thrill-seekers hoping for encounters with hammerhead sharks or mola mola.
Each itinerary is a testament to our profound understanding of Alor’s unique tides and