Journal
Written on the boat,
mostly
By the crew, the cook, the captain and the marine biologist who joins four crossings a season. About twice a month, whenever somebody has something worth saying. Nobody here is a content producer.
Reading the Current
Our co-founder has never used a dive computer to decide when to get in the water. He reads the surface instead.
Sean Justin, Co-founder8 min read
A Reef That Grew on Lava
In 1988 Gunung Api erupted and buried the reef under rock. Thirty-eight years later it is the healthiest hard coral in the Banda Sea.
Osbert, Co-founder11 min read
All pieces
8 pieces
Reading the Current
Our co-founder has never used a dive computer to decide when to get in the water. He reads the surface instead.
The Kitchen on a Swell
How Osbert cooks for twelve on a boat with no gimballed stove and a three-metre swell running.
A Reef That Grew on Lava
In 1988 Gunung Api erupted and buried the reef under rock. Thirty-eight years later it is the healthiest hard coral in the Banda Sea.
Eight Years at One Loom
What changes, and what refuses to, in an Alor weaving village visited by the same boat every September.
Why We Stopped Selling Fourteen Guests
Sea Familia sleeps sixteen. For two seasons we sold fourteen, and the numbers were better. Here is why we changed back.
The Bagan Agreement
The whale sharks of Kwatisore are protected by an arrangement nobody wrote down.
Night Watch
On the Banda crossing, guests are welcome on the 2am watch. Most who try it do it again the next night.
What We Buy in the Market
A provisioning list from one Thursday in Labuan Bajo, and the reason there is no salmon on it.
Who writes this
Two regular contributors, neither of whom was hired to write. Sean Justin and Osbert write from on board, between everything else it takes to run the company.
Meet the familia
Sean Justin
Co-founder
Helped take Sea Familia from one boat to KLM Sea Familia I & II, and the Sea Familia Dive Academy.
Osbert
Co-founder
Built Sea Familia into a bigger group alongside KLM Sea Familia I & II — with KLM Sea Familia III still on the way.