A Family Reunion: Diving into the Past, and the Future, with Kat and Johan

Some journeys take you across the world. Others take you back to where it all began.

Kat and Johan, two pioneering marine biologists who helped shape the early days of Murex and Lembeh Resort, recently returned to North Sulawesi – not as managers or scientists, but as a family. Joined by their three children, Viktor (14) and 11-year-old twins Claudia Coral and Vanessa Reef, their visit represented a long-awaited return to their roots, and a chance to share their love of diving with the next generation of ocean explorers.

From Marine Biologists to Family Adventurers

Kat, from the Czech Republic and Johan, from Sweden, first met while studying marine biology at James Cook University in Australia. Back in 2006, they moved to Indonesia to take up the challenge of managing the dive center at Lembeh Resort. Their years in Lembeh were filled with firsts: They set up the house reef and internship programs, began documenting the region’s biodiversity through the now-famous critter log, and welcomed the resort’s very first intern, who still collaborates with them today on global fishery research.

“We were doing so many exciting things back then,” Kat recalls. “The support for marine science and innovation was incredible.” After 2 amazing years at Lembeh Resort, the couple made the difficult decision to leave North Sulawesi and return to Europe to start a family. “It wasn’t easy to walk away from such a vibrant team and such meaningful work,” Kat says, “but we knew it was time.”

“Returning to Bangka Felt Like Coming Home”

Fast forward to 2024, and the family was back in North Sulawesi, exploring the same sites where Kat and Johan once worked—and where their children had played as toddlers.

They started their trip at Murex Manado, where all three kids completed their diving certifications. Then they traveled around Sulawesi before returning to Lembeh and finishing up on Bangka Island, which they visited 10 years ago together. Here, the family continued their legacy of conservation and fascination, by joining our coral nursery projects and reconnecting with old friends, including team members who had traveled long distances just to see them again.

“Coming back to Bangka was really emotional,” Kat says. “For us, it felt like returning home.” Although some faces and places were familiar to Kat and Johan, much has also changed in the time they’ve been away – mostly for the better. “The coral at Bunaken is thriving,” says Johan. “I was amazed – and the turtle numbers were off the charts too – the kids counted 64 turtles on one dive!”

Nurturing the Next Generation of Divers

Viktor, Claudia, and Vanessa are living proof the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Over the course of their trip, these three water babies completed more than 40 dives, exploring some of North Sulawesi’s most iconic underwater habitats and taking part in hands-on coral restoration work.

For Johan and Kat, watching their children fall in love with the waters of North Sulawesi was deeply meaningful. “I think they finally understood why we’ve always been so passionate about this place,” Johan said. “They saw it with their own eyes.”

Viktor, now 14, took his own formative memories from the trip: “I really enjoyed the diving and the sea critters we saw,” he says. “The best part was diving again and transplanting coral together as a family. Now I see how important diving is to Mom and Dad, and how hard it must have been for them to leave Indonesia.” 

His sisters shared the sentiment. Vanessa said “it felt like I could really connect to nature and just enjoy it. I see now that Mom and Dad chose something they really love. It made me realize that this is how they lived—and that this is only the beginning for us too.” Her sister Claudia added that “the coral transplantation was amazing. And I loved exploring the markets and seeing so many critters in the ocean!”

New Chapter, Same Passion

Since leaving Indonesia, Kat and Johan have continued to live and work close to the sea. Now based in Sweden, Kat runs a seaweed-focused business, called Scandsea, which blends food, skincare, and education. She leads beach-based learning sessions with local schoolchildren, teaching them about seaweed ecosystems and helping them discover the marine life that thrives along the Swedish coast.

“We want the next generation to understand where their food and health products come from,” Kat explains. “Seaweed is such a powerful resource; it’s nutritious, sustainable, and completely natural.”

Johan, a former commercial diver, is now executive chef at a boutique hotel integrated into an historic lighthouse. His menu celebrates local, sustainably sourced seafood including mussels, oysters, and seaweed. “There’s no trawling,” he emphasizes. “We fish with cages or by hand line. It’s all about zero-impact seafood.”

And yes, Kat still dives in the cold waters of Sweden. “Some species of seaweed can only be harvested by diving,” she says with a smile. “So I still get in the water whenever I can. It’s fun, and it keeps me connected.”

Looking Forward and Giving Back

During their trip, the family reconnected with Andrew Charlton, the son of Murex Resorts’ owners, who is now studying marine biology and leading reef restoration projects in Bangka. Kat is currently working with him to support his ongoing coral rehabilitation efforts.

“It’s incredible to see how far people have come,” Kat says. “Andrew has the chance to make a real difference and, in this field, we need all the help we can get.”

A Second Home for Families

For Kat and Johan, this journey wasn’t just a nostalgic return; it was a powerful reminder of what Sulawesi continues to offer their family moving forwards.

“It’s not your typical family destination,” Kat says, “but it’s one of the safest and most enriching places we’ve ever been. The people are warm, the food is healthy, and there’s so much for children to experience that’s rooted in nature, not manufactured entertainment.”

“Our kids could run on the beach, swim, explore freely, and we knew they were safe. There was always someone kind nearby, ready to help. It’s a very special place.”

As their trip came to an end, the family stood together beneath a tree on Bangka Island, recreating a photo from when the children were small. A moment of reflection, and a promise to return.

Because, no matter how far you travel, some places never stop feeling like home.