The People
About Us
The experience at Borneo Cottage is shaped by the people who run it. Here’s who you’ll meet.
Arief
Resort Director
Arief grew up across Sulawesi and Kalimantan and has spent over 20 years in the diving industry, building an understanding of these waters, communities, and rhythms of island life that no guidebook captures. He runs Borneo Cottage with his family, and it shows — guests consistently describe feeling welcomed like old friends rather than tourists. His presence shapes everything about how this place operates.
Amir
Dive Centre Manager
Amir has dived the waters around Maratua, Kakaban, and Sangalaki so many times that reading the currents and finding the best sites on any given day is second nature to him. He manages the dive centre and looks after guests from first-time divers through to experienced underwater photographers. If something is worth seeing in these waters, Amir knows where and when to find it.
Patrick Chong
Underwater Photographer & Instructor
Patrick Chong is a technical diver, certified instructor, and underwater photographer who joins the team for photography workshops and specialist dives. His work documenting the marine life of the Derawan Archipelago speaks for itself, and his workshops are a highlight for guests looking to bring back more than just memories from their time underwater.
Sister Property
Maratua Dive Resort
Under the same ownership, Maratua Dive Resort is our sister property — located about 8 km from Teluk Harapan village, deliberately tucked away from the village on a secluded stretch of the north-west coast. It sits directly above its own house reef and faces west over open water, with unobstructed sunsets every evening.
Where Borneo Cottage is a village-based resort with a communal, affordable feel, Maratua Dive Resort is geared towards divers looking for a quieter, more private experience at a higher price point. The two properties serve different preferences — guests deciding between them are essentially choosing between community and seclusion.
Visit Maratua Dive Resort →Plan Your Stay
Get in touch to check availability, ask questions, or arrange your trip to Maratua.