Our Team
Your Dive Crew

Ivan Samra
Course Director - Mexican - Pro Since 2008

Ivan Samra
Course Director - Mexican - Pro Since 2008
Born in Cancun, the heart of the Mexican Caribbean, Ivan fell in love with diving as a kid; following his passion he started working in diving industry at the age of 16 as an underwater photographer.
As soon as he became of age he pursued his dream to become a Cave Diver and explore the underground river systems of the peninsula of Yucatan. Soon after he became a scuba diving instructor and started to travel the world; diving all over South East Asia and specializing in live aboard management.
After a decade in the industry, following his urge to explore new places he found East Timor as his new home in early 2016. Ivan has a particularly strong dedication as a tehcnical diving instructor, underwater photographer and as a scuba technician. He continues to take training in this areas and looks forward to share his learning with others. Nudibranchs lover, tech enthusiast and dive equipment freak
As soon as he became of age he pursued his dream to become a Cave Diver and explore the underground river systems of the peninsula of Yucatan. Soon after he became a scuba diving instructor and started to travel the world; diving all over South East Asia and specializing in live aboard management.
After a decade in the industry, following his urge to explore new places he found East Timor as his new home in early 2016. Ivan has a particularly strong dedication as a tehcnical diving instructor, underwater photographer and as a scuba technician. He continues to take training in this areas and looks forward to share his learning with others. Nudibranchs lover, tech enthusiast and dive equipment freak

Kate Barker
Course Director - British - Pro Since 2011

Kate Barker
Course Director - British - Pro Since 2011
A true english lady, our Marine Biologist has had a passion for the Ocean since a young age first learning to dive, at 13, in the cold waters of the UK.
After getting her degree she decided to leave the idea of a conventional job (and the cold) behind to become a diving instructor and travel.
She has experience diving all around the world, from the cold waters of Mediterranean to the Red Sea, Central America, Caribbean, South East Asia and of course Mexico where she completed her Dive Master course while taking a gap year from university. After graduation she decided to become a Dive Instructor and started working on liveaboards in Thailand. .
An expert in plenty of marine creatures she has fallen in love with the reefs and underwater life here in Timor Leste; not to mention all the Whales and Dolphins! Kate is an enthusiastic Course Director, Cave diver and an exceedingly great cook! No joke! Some of our guest dive with us just to try some of her recipes, specializing on some vegan delights and delicious cakes.
After getting her degree she decided to leave the idea of a conventional job (and the cold) behind to become a diving instructor and travel.
She has experience diving all around the world, from the cold waters of Mediterranean to the Red Sea, Central America, Caribbean, South East Asia and of course Mexico where she completed her Dive Master course while taking a gap year from university. After graduation she decided to become a Dive Instructor and started working on liveaboards in Thailand. .
An expert in plenty of marine creatures she has fallen in love with the reefs and underwater life here in Timor Leste; not to mention all the Whales and Dolphins! Kate is an enthusiastic Course Director, Cave diver and an exceedingly great cook! No joke! Some of our guest dive with us just to try some of her recipes, specializing on some vegan delights and delicious cakes.

Melky
First Timorese Dive Instructor - Pro Since 2019

Melky
First Timorese Dive Instructor - Pro Since 2019
Our general righthand. He started as our security, translator and a keen diver. Following his dream, Melky worked very hard to become Timor Leste's first Dive Instructor.
A long way for this young man coming from a village far from the sea. His first encounter with diving industry was while he used to work as security at a Dive Center looking at divers going in and out of the water, wondering what would it be like until a dive instructor offered to teach him how to dive and soon after with the bird of Dreamers Dive Academy Timor he managed to find a path to pursue this dream
One step at the time, learning different specialties, mastering his English and working daily in the industry. A hard working man with a big smile. A dive guide that loves to go hunting for cool critters.
A long way for this young man coming from a village far from the sea. His first encounter with diving industry was while he used to work as security at a Dive Center looking at divers going in and out of the water, wondering what would it be like until a dive instructor offered to teach him how to dive and soon after with the bird of Dreamers Dive Academy Timor he managed to find a path to pursue this dream
One step at the time, learning different specialties, mastering his English and working daily in the industry. A hard working man with a big smile. A dive guide that loves to go hunting for cool critters.

Te Aquila
Assistant Instructor - Timorese - Pro Since 2021

Te Aquila
Assistant Instructor - Timorese - Pro Since 2021
Terezinha Tebes aka Te Aquila (As her friends call her). She comes from Oecusse and has been an Ocean lover since she was very young yet her life took her towards studying finances from which she graduated in 2021
During the early days of Dreamers Dive Academy Timor, Te Aquila met the team through beach clean ups and other activities with local activist. It was from one of these groups that she got selected on a special program where they got sponsored to learn how to dive. And as soon as she started diving he heart connected with the Ocean in a all new level.
Couple of years latter after participating in some activities with the company while studying she joined the team to help with the management of the office but it quickly became apparent that her true talents laid in the water and mentoring others.
Currently the first Timorese female to reach the level of Assistant Instructor and working hard to become a dive instructor! Second for the country and a first for Timorese woman! A role model no doubt.
During the early days of Dreamers Dive Academy Timor, Te Aquila met the team through beach clean ups and other activities with local activist. It was from one of these groups that she got selected on a special program where they got sponsored to learn how to dive. And as soon as she started diving he heart connected with the Ocean in a all new level.
Couple of years latter after participating in some activities with the company while studying she joined the team to help with the management of the office but it quickly became apparent that her true talents laid in the water and mentoring others.
Currently the first Timorese female to reach the level of Assistant Instructor and working hard to become a dive instructor! Second for the country and a first for Timorese woman! A role model no doubt.

Kayla
Dive Instructor - American - Pro Since 2018

Kayla
Dive Instructor - American - Pro Since 2018
Kayla, from Texas has always been fasinated with the ocean despite being 16 hours away from the closest one!!! From a slight obsession for dolphin related decorations in her room to FINALLY making it to Australia and doing a discover dive Kayla's love for the underwater environment has only flourished over time.
Completing her open water course in a rock quarry in North Carolina shows her dedication! She continued to dive during vacations in tropical places before finally making it to Timor Leste. During her time here, in the Peace Corps, she completed her advanced and rescue courses as well as becoming fluent in Tetum and local culture!
Finally, deciding to come back to pursue her diving career. From the first moment she showed her natural talent as a diver and her wonderful bubbliness with people. After completing the DM course with us we were only to happy to offer her a position within the company. Today she is an experienced instructor and Cave Diver having spent some time during the pandemic working in Mexico.
Completing her open water course in a rock quarry in North Carolina shows her dedication! She continued to dive during vacations in tropical places before finally making it to Timor Leste. During her time here, in the Peace Corps, she completed her advanced and rescue courses as well as becoming fluent in Tetum and local culture!
Finally, deciding to come back to pursue her diving career. From the first moment she showed her natural talent as a diver and her wonderful bubbliness with people. After completing the DM course with us we were only to happy to offer her a position within the company. Today she is an experienced instructor and Cave Diver having spent some time during the pandemic working in Mexico.