Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
1 May 2026
Reply rate
87.5 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
9
Email verified
Country info
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hi, we’re Astrid and Tono, living on the beautiful island of Karimunjawa with our two children, Sophia (7) and Alfie (4).
We run the island’s only solar-powered guesthouse, Floating Paradise. Astrid teaches yoga in some of the most stunning natural locations around the island, and together we are involved in building and supporting a nature-based, bilingual educational initiative within the local community.
We are currently looking for a kind, grounded and adaptable volunteer who would like to stay longer-term and become part of our family rhythm. This role is a blend of light support with our children and more hands-on involvement during an upcoming yoga retreat.
The main focus is supporting the flow of daily life, occasionally spending time with the children through outdoor play, creativity, and presence, while also assisting more actively behind the scenes during retreat periods and busy work times.
English is essential, as our children are bilingual (English and Indonesian). Volunteers must feel confident driving a scooter, be comfortable living simply on a tropical island, and genuinely enjoy being outdoors. A natural affinity with children, emotional maturity, and a calm, proactive attitude are far more important to us than formal qualifications.
If you are looking for a meaningful and varied experience , where you can witness both family life and retreat space from the inside, and build a real connection with people, place, and rhythm, this may be the right fit for you. 🌿
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Farming
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Self development
Culture
Charity work
Music
Plant care
Photography
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Beach
Camping
Dancing
Nature
Outdoor activities
Yoga / Wellness
Books
Art & design
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living with us in Karimunjawa is not a typical Workaway experience, it is an invitation into island life, off-grid rhythms, and a family deeply rooted in nature and community.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Immerse yourself in a remote tropical island environment
- Swim, snorkel and explore largely untouched beaches
- Experience off-grid, solar-powered living
- Witness firsthand how eco-tourism and mindful hospitality operate in a small island setting
- Learn about local conservation efforts and community-led initiatives
- Experience life connected to land, sea and slow rhythms
Astrid is a dedicated yoga teacher, and while she cannot promise daily involvement (as volunteers will often be supporting with the children during teaching hours), there may be opportunities to join selected classes, practice independently in beautiful spaces, and deepen your own personal practice.
Island life here requires adaptability, patience and openness. In return, it offers sunsets that stop you in your tracks, ocean swims before breakfast, barefoot days, and the rare chance to live closely with nature rather than just visit it 🌿
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
## Au Pair–Style Support & Retreat Season Help
We are currently looking for a kind, grounded and capable volunteer to join us in Karimunjawa, with a focus on supporting our family rhythm and assisting during an upcoming yoga retreat.
This role is a blend of light au pair–style support and hands-on help during the retreat.
Outside of the retreat period, support with our two children may include:
* Occasional school pick-ups (11:00 and 12:00)
* Preparing or sharing simple lunches (food is provided)
* Afternoon playtime at home or outdoors
* Occasional evening babysitting
Our children love swimming, exploring outdoors, building, reading, imaginative play, and being in nature. We have two dogs and plenty of space to roam. We are looking for someone who is warm, playful, emotionally aware, and genuinely enjoys spending time with children, but this is not a full-time childcare role.
---
## Retreat Support
During the yoga retreat, your role will shift more toward supporting Astrid directly, while Tono is primarily with the children.
This may include:
* Helping with simple retreat logistics and daily flow
* Preparing spaces (setting up mats, props, tea, etc.)
* Welcoming and lightly hosting guests
* Assisting behind the scenes to keep the environment calm and organised
* Being a supportive, grounded presence throughout the retreat
This is a beautiful opportunity to experience what it’s like to hold space within a retreat setting, while being part of something intimate and meaningful.
---
## Who This Is For
This role is well suited to a solo traveler who is:
* Adaptable and happy moving between roles (family support + retreat support)
* Calm, intuitive, and able to take initiative
* Comfortable around children but not seeking a full-time childcare role
* Interested in yoga, retreats, or conscious living environments
---
## Commitment
We are ideally looking for a minimum stay of 2 months, with openness to extend if it feels like a good mutual fit.
We will always arrange a video call beforehand to ensure alignment.
---
## Garden & Land (Optional)
We live on 5,000m² of land that is slowly evolving into a child-friendly, nature-rich space. If you enjoy gardening or outdoor projects, you are very welcome to contribute, but this is entirely optional.
---
## Skills We Love
Music (especially singing), storytelling, creative arts, movement, and anything that brings lightness and inspiration into daily life.
---
We are looking for someone who wants to step into a real experience, supporting both family life and a retreat space, and who is open to connection, contribution, and island rhythms.
If this resonates, we would love to hear from you. 🌿
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Indonesian: Fluent
Javanese: Fluent
Accommodation
We offer a simple double room with a fan and private bathroom in town with access to a kitchen. This accommodation is different to our family home. We offer a scooter to use for the duration of your stay.
We provide supplies for meals cooked for our family and volunteers.
What else ...
During your time off, you’ll have space to explore and experience island life at your own rhythm.
We have kayaks that volunteers are welcome to use. The guesthouse sits in a quiet bay with a live coral reef just offshore, a white sand beach within walking distance, and the National Park’s turtle sanctuary nearby (seasonal releases usually happen in the afternoon).
Living with us in Karimunjawa also offers something less visible but equally valuable:
A firsthand experience of what it is like to live on a remote island, run an off-grid hospitality business, and actively contribute to a local educational charity, all while raising a family. You’ll see the behind-the-scenes reality, the beauty, the challenges, the adaptability required, and the creativity it takes to build something meaningful in a small island community.
For those interested in entrepreneurship, eco-tourism, community development, education or conscious business, this can be an eye-opening and inspiring learning experience.
The island itself is best known for:
- Island-hopping boat trips to surrounding uninhabited islands
- Snorkelling and diving in protected marine areas
- Mangrove trekking
- Beach hopping and sunset viewpoints
- Camping on remote islands and beaches
- Exploring small local warungs and village life
Transport here is primarily by scooter, and volunteers must feel confident driving one. Everything is relatively close and the pace of life is slow.
Life here is simple and nature-focused. Evenings are often quiet, with beautiful sunsets, star-filled skies or moon rises. If you are seeking nightlife and constant stimulation, island life may feel too slow. But if you’re curious about intentional living, meaningful work, and being part of something growing, this can be a rare and enriching chapter.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Both our guesthouse and private home have Wi-Fi.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Pucci (11 months)
Adopted from the children's grandma's house, this kitten is fearless and sleeps anywhere in any way!
Willy (4 years)
Willy went exploring one day and stumbled upon Frankie (our other dog), and decided he'd like to stay! After some time, my friend and I (it was her dog), agreed that he could stay, and he's been a lovely addition to the family ever since. And boy can he run!!
Frankie (1 year)
A rescued jungle puppy. She's very gentle, not so brave! Loves swimming in the stream by our house and eating raw egg to keep her lovely coat thick and lush.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (5)
Besides the project, Astrid, Tono and the kids (Daniya and Alfie) are incredibly sweet and thoughtful! We had dinner with them a couple of times and were able to connect with them! They… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.6)
Besides the project, Astrid, Tono and the kids (Daniya and Alfie) are incredibly sweet and thoughtful! We had dinner with them a couple of times and were able to connect with them! They… read more
I did some yoga and Acroyoga classes with Astrid; cooked and taught how to prepare some vegan dishes and helped taking care of the magical place. I also brought some ideias of how to start the food forest… read more
