Story
Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort began as a dream shared by Raf and Reiko — a dream that started in the most unexpected and magical way.
After diving together for just two days, Reiko returned to Japan and wrote Raf a letter about a future reef-cleaning project on Bunaken.
That simple letter sparked a warm exchange, and through a series of coincidences and shared passions, their connection grew quickly and naturally.
After spending only four days together in person, they decided to marry and begin a new adventure.
They first settled in the UK, running a small diving business alongside their main work and organising dive tours to Bunaken.
During one of these journeys, they discovered a quiet piece of land on Bunaken Island — and their dream truly began.
With their deep love for the ocean and Bunaken’s extraordinary marine life, Raf and Reiko knew instantly that this was the place.
Together, they built Cha Cha by hand, shaping it into the intimate and personal hideaway they had imagined —
a place where guests could enjoy nature, tranquillity,
good food, and warm, heartfelt hospitality.
Today, Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort continues to honour their shared vision — a place born from love for the sea, a passion for food, and the simple joy of welcoming guests into a home created with care.
Choosing a New Life on a Remote Island
Bunaken Island lies about 60 minutes by boat off the coast of Manado, the capital of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi Province.
We were drawn to a small, secluded beach and its rare sense of calm and privacy. However, before Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort was created, the northeastern side of Bunaken Island — often considered the island’s ‘back side’ — was completely undeveloped. There were no permanent residents, no buildings, and no basic infrastructure.
Choosing this untouched part of the island meant accepting an extraordinary, life-changing challenge: building everything entirely from scratch.
Below are some of the challenges that shaped Bunaken Cha Cha, and the steps we took to transform our vision into a place we are proud to share with guests from around the world.
A Man of Passion
Raf was not only the founder of Cha Cha, but also a deeply passionate and gifted builder whose hands shaped much of what the resort is today.
With great respect for the island and its people, he generously shared his knowledge and skills with the local village craftsmen, teaching them techniques and building side by side. His spirit, dedication, and love for Bunaken continue to live on in every corner of Cha Cha.
The First building
We started construction a year before we moved permanently.
A local carpenter built the dining area about 3 meters higher than originally planned, which was a welcome surprise.
The First Cottgaes
There were no machines, so Raf and Reiko began digging the foundations by hand together with local carpenters, and then started building the first wooden cottages.
Everything was done manually — and in many ways, it still is today.
Setting the Basics Right
At the time, there was little awareness on the island of environmentally responsible wastewater management, so the project began by sharing its importance and building a proper treatment system.
iStep by Step
We learned to communicate patiently, sharing construction techniques, providing guidance on compressor settings, and passing on everyday skills, including cooking and cleaning, while working side by side.
Shaped by the Island
The original cottage design was born from a dream, but nature soon taught us its realities.
Through wind, rain, and sun, the design continued to evolve, eventually giving rise to its second, third, and fourth generations - all thoughtfully designed by Raf and Reiko, together.
A Matter of Water
At the time, there were no proper machines for digging. Securing daily water by building a holding tank quickly became one of our top priorities