Our dive center was founded by two Balinese cousins born and raised right here in Tulamben. Growing up, money was often scarce, and we know firsthand the struggles of not always having enough to eat. We were fortunate to have people who believed in us and helped us overcome the obstacles to getting dive-certified and starting our business. From the beginning, this dive shop was built with a vision for a brighter future – not just for us, but for other local people who feel trapped in similar circumstances. It’s a dream we work hard for every day, helping to break the cycle of poverty by creating opportunities that uplift our families and ripple out to the wider community.
Local Impact
Rooted in a Dream to Build a Better Future
Nurturing Career Growth Through Inclusive Opportunities
We believe in giving opportunities to those who are eager to learn, friendly, and hardworking. Many of our team members joined us with little to no professional background, but what they lacked in formal skills, they more than made up for with motivation and a willingness to grow. We help each person find the role that best suits their interests and strengths – whether as a dive guide, driving guests to dive sites, cooking, or prepping gear. Many Balinese are naturally shy, so we focus on building their confidence and improving their customer service and English skills to help them feel more comfortable interacting with guests. Whatever their role, we ensure each team member gains the skills they need to grow, succeed, and thrive.
Empowering Local Divers Through Free Certification
Access to training can be life-changing, but the cost of dive certification is often out of reach for many Balinese who struggle to make ends meet. We sponsor our team members’ training from Open Water to Dive Master certification, providing hands-on instruction. We also support those ready to advance their skills by covering the Instructor Development Course (IDC) costs. We prioritize safety and attentiveness, ensuring every team member exceeds the standards to provide a comfortable diving experience. We also emphasize the importance of protecting Tulamben’s reefs to sustain their livelihoods. So far, we’ve trained six team members to earn their Dive Master certification and are sponsoring one to complete the IDC.
Recognizing Hard Work with Industry-Leading Pay
We believe our exceptional team members deserve exceptional pay. We’re proud to offer some of the highest compensation for dive staff in the area, ensuring our team feels valued and motivated. Along with a regular salary, our dive guides earn an additional fee for every dive they lead and we share 5% of our profits with the team. We also offer bonuses to those who deliver outstanding service and provide extra pay on special cultural days. Our goal is to make sure our team members can comfortably support their families and achieve financial stability.
Investing in the Local Community
Our commitment to the community extends beyond our team – we support the people, culture, and traditions that make Tulamben special. We contribute to local village organizations, supporting community causes like plastic reduction and cultural ceremonies. To further strengthen the local economy, we hire local women as porters to carry diving equipment on the beach and promote boat dives that provide income for fishermen who operate the boats. We source our food from local markets, hire local drivers for transportation needs, and use a local printer for our T-shirts. By forming these community connections, we create benefits that ripple throughout Tulamben.
