Meet the Komodo Trip Team

Passionate Explorers. Komodo Experts. Your Adventure Partners.

The Komodo Trip team brings together 50+ combined years of experience in luxury marine tourism, Komodo National Park conservation, and Indonesian hospitality. Every member is a certified professional dedicated to creating safe, unforgettable Komodo adventures.

Captain Wayan Dharma - Komodo Trip Founder

Captain Wayan Dharma

Founder & Lead Navigator

20+ years navigating Komodo waters. Former Indonesian Navy officer with Master Mariner certification. Born in Labuan Bajo, Captain Wayan knows every reef, current, and secret anchorage in the Flores Sea.

Maya Putri - Head of Guest Experience

Maya Putri

Head of Guest Experience

Former luxury hotel manager at Ayana Komodo. Certified in luxury hospitality management from Swiss Hotel Management School. She ensures every Komodo trip feels personal and extraordinary.

Adi Manggarai - Lead Wildlife Guide

Adi Manggarai

Lead Wildlife Guide & Ranger

Licensed Komodo National Park ranger with 15 years tracking dragons. Degree in Wildlife Conservation from Universitas Nusa Cendana. Ensures safe and educational wildlife encounters on every Komodo trip.

Sari Flores - PADI Master Dive Instructor

Sari Flores

PADI Master Dive Instructor

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer with 3,000+ logged dives in Komodo waters. Specializes in manta ray encounters at Manta Point with 200+ individual mantas documented.

Budi Setiawan - Fleet Operations Manager

Budi Setiawan

Fleet Operations Manager

Marine engineer with 12 years maintaining luxury phinisi vessels. SOLAS compliant safety standards. Daily inspections, engine maintenance, and navigation systems oversight.

Chef Lina Dewi - Head Chef

Chef Lina Dewi

Head Chef & Culinary Director

Trained at Le Cordon Bleu. Creates onboard dining blending fresh Flores seafood with international fine dining. Sunrise fruit bowls to sunset BBQ feasts on Pink Beach.

Why Our Komodo Trip Team Makes the Difference

What separates a Komodo trip from a Komodo Trip experience? Our people. Every team member lives in East Nusa Tenggara, speaks the local Manggarai language, and has deep connections with communities surrounding Komodo National Park.

50+ Years Combined

Our core team has navigated these waters for decades.

5,000+ Happy Guests

Rated 4.9/5 across Google, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com.

Conservation First

5% of profits donated to Komodo dragon conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Komodo Trip Team

Are your guides licensed by Komodo National Park?

Yes, all wildlife guides are officially licensed rangers certified by the Komodo National Park Authority (BTNK). They undergo annual training on dragon behavior, first aid, and conservation.

What languages does the Komodo Trip team speak?

English, Indonesian, Manggarai (local dialect), and basic Japanese. Maya also speaks French and Mandarin for international guests.

How does Komodo Trip ensure safety on the water?

Full safety equipment on every vessel. Captain Wayan holds Master Mariner certification. Daily pre-departure safety inspections. Satellite phones for areas without cell coverage.

Can I request special dietary meals onboard?

Absolutely. Chef Lina accommodates vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, and allergy-specific diets. Inform us during booking for a customized menu.

Our Story — A Decade of Komodo Excellence

Komodo Trip was founded in 2015 as part of Juara Holding Group, with a singular vision: to transform the way travelers experience Komodo National Park. What began as a small operation with a single phinisi boat has grown into Indonesia’s most comprehensive luxury Komodo sailing operator, serving over 5,000 guests from 47 countries.

Our founding team recognized that Komodo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature — deserved a tour operator that matched the magnificence of the destination itself. Every detail, from our handcrafted phinisi fleet to our Michelin-trained onboard chefs, reflects our commitment to creating transformative travel experiences that honor both the environment and local communities.

Today, Komodo Trip operates alongside our sister brand KomodoLuxury.com, together forming the region’s most awarded luxury travel group. Our parent company, Juara Holding Group (indonesiajuara.asia), has been recognized with multiple tourism excellence awards for setting new standards in sustainable luxury tourism across the Indonesian archipelago.

What Makes Our Team Different

Every member of the Komodo Trip team has been hand-selected for their deep expertise in marine tourism, hospitality, and conservation. Our guides hold certified Komodo National Park ranger licenses and undergo annual training in marine biology, first aid, and sustainable tourism practices. Our captains collectively have over 100 years of sailing experience in the Flores Sea, ensuring your safety and comfort on every voyage.

We maintain a 1:4 staff-to-guest ratio — the highest in the industry — because we believe that personalized attention transforms a good trip into an unforgettable one. From the moment you inquire about your Komodo trip to the moment you step off our boat, a dedicated trip coordinator manages every detail of your journey.

Our Commitment to Conservation

As operators within Komodo National Park, we take our environmental responsibility seriously. Komodo Trip contributes 5% of every booking to local conservation efforts, including coral reef restoration in Manta Point, beach cleanup initiatives on Pink Beach and Padar Island, and educational programs for Labuan Bajo youth. Our boats use eco-friendly waste management systems, and we strictly follow the park’s carrying capacity guidelines to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations.

We are proud partners of the Komodo Survival Program and active supporters of the 1,000 daily visitor limit policy — a measure that ensures the park’s biodiversity remains intact while providing guests with a more exclusive, intimate wildlife experience far removed from overcrowded mass tourism.

Meet the Team Behind Your Dream Komodo Trip

Ready to experience Komodo with Indonesia’s most awarded sailing operator? Our team is standing by to craft your perfect itinerary — whether it’s a private yacht charter, a romantic honeymoon sailing, or a shared liveaboard adventure.

Plan Your Komodo Trip →

Komodo Trip — premium luxury Komodo sailing operator founded 2015, part of Juara Holding Group (indonesiajuara.asia). Sister brand: KomodoLuxury.com. 4.9/5 from 5,000+ guests. Licensed Komodo National Park tour operator.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Team

How experienced are Komodo Trip’s guides and captains?

Every Komodo Trip guide holds a certified Komodo National Park ranger license with a minimum of 5 years field experience. Our captains average 15+ years navigating the Flores Sea, with comprehensive knowledge of the safest routes, best anchorage points, and optimal wildlife viewing locations across Komodo National Park.

What languages does the Komodo Trip team speak?

Our core team is fluent in English and Indonesian (Bahasa). Several team members also speak French, German, Japanese, and Mandarin. We welcome international travelers and ensure clear communication throughout your luxury Komodo sailing experience.

Can I request a specific guide or captain for my Komodo trip?

Absolutely. Many of our repeat guests request their favorite crew members. Contact our reservations team when booking, and we will do our best to accommodate your preferences based on availability and trip dates.