Our latest destination Mexico is proving to be one of the most popular holiday requests so far this year. Sure to become the must-dive destination of 2014, Mexico offers a wealth of exciting diving opportunities in one of the most picturesque spots on the planet. From the unique underwater experience of the Cenotes, to the spectacular reefs of Cozumel so revered by Jacques Cousteau, Mexico has a variety of diving to suit everyone from beginner to seasoned traveller. Great food, stunning beaches and a variety of historical and other topside attractions complete the picture.

Regaldive offer a choice of two resort options on the beautiful stretch of mainland known as the Riviera Maya. The modern beachside city of Playa Del Carmen and the self-contained lifestyle resort of Puerto Aventuras, both offer access to some superb Caribbean reef diving and the closest proximity to the inland Cenotes. The island of Cozumel, reached by ferry from the mainland, balances a more laidback atmosphere with exhilarating action underwater. Here you can experience drift diving at its most exciting on the famous reefs of the Cozumel Marine Park.

Both Cozumel and the Cenotes can be visited as day trips from the Riviera Maya, or Cozumel, should you choose to spend the main part of your stay in the other resort. Alternatively, Mexico’s excellent infrastructure allows for an ideal twin centre option and Regaldive can tailor-make your holiday to combine the best of this whole region.

Get a taste for Mexico with our new underwater video clips of Playa Del Carmen / Cozumel and the Cenotes. Want to find out more? Give the specialist Regaldive team a call on 01353 659 999 and let us help you plan your Mexican adventure.

More and more Regaldive guests are choosing liveaboard holidays around the world. As a result of this increased demand, we are delighted to expand our liveaboard collection with a new destination and a new liveaboard in Palau - S/Y Palau Siren.

Allowing divers to make the most of the world-class diving on offer in Palau, this stunning sailing vessel offers three itineraries, each of which include the unique chance to snorkel in Jellyfish Lake - as featured by the winner of a previous year's Guardian’s Readers' travel photograph competition.

The seven night Palau Islands itinerary, offers the opportunity to explore some of the finest diving in Palau. Undertaking up to 22 dives including four night dives, our guests will discover a wide range of sites including the Ulong Channel - a drift dive and one of the best dives in Palau; Blue Corner - home to steep sheer walls and fierce currents; Iro Maru wreck - a Japanese oil supply ship which was sunk during World War II, and Shark City - the name of which speaks for itself. 

The 10 night Palau Islands itinerary allows a more in-depth exploration of the sites visited in the seven night itinerary. Divers will have the opportunity to take up to 33 dives including five night dives, including full board boat accommodation, most drinks, three to four boat dives per day, air/nitrox tanks and weights. Flights are not included in either the seven or 10 night itinerary but can be arranged - please contact us for a tailor-made holiday quotation.

Alternately, for divers who want to combine the best of the Philippines and Palau, the 13 night Philippines and Palau Combo itinerary does just that. Dividing their time between the S/Y Palau Siren and the S/Y Philippine Siren, divers will log up to 42 dives, including seven night dives, wreck dives and drift dives. Liveaboard highlights include Pescador Island where divers can swim amongst schools of sardines, thresher sharks and giant frogfish, and Blue Corner - one of Palau’s most famous dive sites. 

The S/Y Palau Siren offers spacious accommodation for 16 guests. The boat benefits from en-suite double and twin cabins, a comfortable indoor lounge, cocktail bar, outdoor dining area with ever changing views and an uncovered sun deck. Divers making the most of their time above the water can also make the most of the yacht boutique, massage service and kayaks available for customer use, offering plenty to keep them entertained round the clock.  

We’re very excited to be welcoming the S/Y Palau Siren to our already popular collection of liveaboards. With so many fantastic dive sites located far off the shore and so many dedicated divers eager to explore them, liveaboards make for a very popular option with our divers. 

For more information, please call the Regaldive Team on 01353 659 99901353 659 999.

Regaldive is delighted to feature Mexico! With warm tropical waters and a wealth of world class diving on offer including the legendary inland Cenotes, our latest addition will no doubt be at the top of ‘must dive’ lists.

With a choice of two Mexican resorts to choose from, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, this new destination offers the ideal medium-haul option for those looking to combine white sand beaches with plentiful reefs. Both resorts sit on the Yucatan Peninsula, located on the edge of the world’s second largest barrier reef, which stretches south for over 1,000 km. Fed by the nutrient rich currents, the reef is a teeming city of corals, sea fans, whips and sponges and is home to over 500 different species of fish.

Experienced divers staying on Cozumel, Mexico’s largest island, can explore the famous Planacar Reef, named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. The area also benefits from exhilarating drift dives and dramatic wall dives for those looking to take advantage of the nutrient rich currents surrounding the island.

For less experienced divers, Riviera Maya offers a wealth of easy and relaxed dive sites that are well suited to all levels of experience. Divers can explore low walls with overhangs, mini caves and swim-throughs, while enhancing their skills. They can also admire reef tops peppered with hard corals, colourful sponges and sea plumes, as well as schooling snappers, angelfish, lobsters and electric rays.

Both resorts offer access to the world famous Cenotes. The chance to explore this incredible submerged limestone cave and cavern system is the reason so many divers head to this part of Mexico and these are once in a lifetime dives that absolutely live up to their hype. The Cenotes are justifiably known as the jewel in the crown of Yucatan diving. Here you can float in gin clear fresh water amongst stunning formations of stalagmites and stalactites, bathed in shafts of light filtering through the jungle canopy above. Used as a source of fresh water by the ancient Maya, these distinctive geological formations offer some of the most exciting and unique diving to be found anywhere in the world.

Located on San Francisco Beach Allegro Cozumel Resort the hotel is located just minutes away from Palancar Reef and the best dive sites of the Cozumel National Marine Park - considered one of the top five dive destinations in the world. The all-inclusive resort benefits from four restaurants, five bars, four swimming pools, three floodlit tennis courts, a multi-purpose sports court, fitness centre, Jacuzzi and sauna. The price includes flights, transfers and seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation.

For those tempted by Playa del Carmen Allegro Playacar Resort is a superb choice. Located on the white-sand beach and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the resort benefits from three swimming pools, two floodlit tennis courts, a basketball court, free non-motorised water sports and a full programme of day and evening entertainment. The lively resort offers the ideal base to discover the wide variety of nightlife and leisure options in Playa del Carmen. The price includes flights, transfers and seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation.

Give the Regaldive Team a call on 01353 659 999 to find out more!

If you're looking for cheaper and more flexible holiday options, how about thinking outside the box? With increased flight capacity to Hurghada now available from London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, divers can benefit from more regular and better value flights when travelling to any Southern Red Sea resort via road transfer from Hurghada airport.

For divers looking to get away from the crowds, the vastly undiscovered resort of El Quseir can be reached by road transfer in under two hours from Hurghada. With over 30 dive sites within easy reach of the resort, El Quseir is the ideal location for experienced divers wanting to be at one with the marine life. Underwater photographers can explore the coral covered pinnacles, navigate the labyrinth of coral gardens, and glide through the narrow passages and blind alleys of Serib Kebir, the Rock and Sharm Fungani while admiring the macro life and nudibranchs on offer.

Home to some of the most famous dive experiences in the Red Sea, Marsa Alam can also easily be reached by road transfer from Hurghada airport in around three hours. Offering divers the chance to come face to face with Spanish dancers, turtles, eagle rays, great hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, Marsa Alam combines the very best of shore and boat diving. Located close to the resort is the fascinating site of Sha’ab Samadai, also known as ‘Dolphin House’. This site is frequented by a pod of around 60 spinner dolphins and is home to a network of caves and tunnels, in addition to a carpet of seagrass hiding moray eels, leopard groupers, goatfish, lionfish, masked butterfly fish and much more.

With Hurghada flights, you can travel to the Red Sea on a day that suits you, and get to see more of Egypt on the way to your chosen resort!

Give the Regaldive Team a call on 01353 659 999 to explore your Red Sea options.

Regaldive Team Member John has just returned from a ‘trip of a lifetime’ to Raja Ampat, Indonesia. John’s itinerary aboard the exceptional Dewi Nusantara took in the very best diving of this region. Read his trip report:

Wow, what a trip! It’s been described by others as the trip of a lifetime, but the trouble is I want to do it far more than just once in my lifetime!

Of course it takes a while to get to the other side of the world, but it is so worth it. The first part, which for me was a Singapore Airlines A380 to Singapore was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be. A comfortable plane with reasonable leg-room, good entertainment and good service made the 12 and a half hours very bearable. The internal flight was a bit more like travelling with a UK budget carrier, but that was only for the last bit of the journey.

When I got to Sorong in West Papua (formally Irian Jaya) I joined a fantastic liveaboard called Dewi Nusantara. Really an amazing boat. It looks pretty stunning as it’s built along the lines of a mid 1800’s 3 masted schooner, so it’s not like your normal dive boat. The wow factor of the boat doesn’t stop there, it’s amazing inside too, with wood everywhere and handmade bespoke wooden furniture. There’s plenty of room on the dive deck, saloon and bedrooms, so with only 18 guests on board you can always find a bit of space. Photographers are well looked after too, with their own camera room.

Another thing that makes the boat so special is the crew and the organisation on board. They are all so friendly and had an amazing ability to remember everyone’s names, almost from day one. Diving is made very easy as all your kit is labelled and was always in exactly the right place when you needed it. Even your camera was taken to the dive tender and handed to you just before, or after, you rolled into the water.

So the boat and the crew were great, but what about the diving? It’s definitely got to be considered some of the best in the world. Raja Ampat is at the heart of the Coral Triangle of South East Asia so was never going to disappoint. But what strikes you is the sheer amount of pristine hard and soft corals, and the number of fish, especially on the reefs around the south of Waigeo Island and the north of Batanta.  The reef at Cape Kri is officially recognised as having more species than any other dive site in the world. Needless to say I didn’t try and prove the scientists wrong and just enjoyed the dive.

To the north of Raja Ampat the reefs are slightly different, not so much large coral and big schools of fish, but more looking for little stuff. The islands of the Equator group are very much for the diver looking for the little things, certainly a macro photographer's heaven. I never thought I would get too excited finding Nudibranchs, but a new camera with a good macro setting certainly helps. A decent picture of a Pygmy Seahorse failed me though. 

As we moved back south we came to a dive site called Eagle Rocks, named after the many Sea Eagles nesting in the trees. We did two dives there and were lucky enough to see Manta Rays on both dives. Really pleasing as later in the week you might guess that a dive site with ‘Manta’ in it’s name yielded us none at all.  Just the luck of the draw I suppose.

The highlights underwater for me where probably the good number of Tassled Wobbegong Sharks we saw, at least a dozen or so during ten days diving. Also the Raja Epaulette sharks that we saw on most of the night dives. Both of these species are great for photographers as they don’t move much and if they do it’s rather slow. Not like those fish that you just get lined up for a shot and they turn their back or nip behind the nearest bit of coral. Lots of fast moving Blacktip Reef Sharks and a few Whitetips too.

A good dive guide is essential though and I’m please to say we had some of the best. It’s amazing how they can swim straight up to a fan coral and find a Pygmy Seahorse in seconds. The little critters are only a few millimetres long and difficult enough to see, let alone photograph, even when being pointed out to you.

So we saw the tiniest of Seahorses, up to the biggest of Mantas and everything in between. Other highlights were the big shoals of schooling fish, Bumphead Parrotfish and a couple of Banded Sea Snakes. The night dives yielded quite a few different types of Squid, Cuttlefish and Octopus, including the famous Blue Ringed variety. The biodiversity of the reefs means that there is something for everyone in Raja Ampat. The area is totally unspoilt, both above and below the water and we didn’t see another dive boat until the very last of our 38 dives.

A wonderful trip that’s just got to be on any divers ‘must do’ list. Just hope I get the chance to go back there one day!

Thanks to John for these great photos of his trip!

The Maldives might not be the first place you think of as a destination for single travellers but the perfect powder soft sands and stunning clear waters make these islands an ideal choice for anyone wanting a peaceful and relaxed getaway.

Beautiful island hideaway Reethi Beach Resort is offering no single supplement for holidays between 1 May and 15 July 2014. Located on the Baa atoll, Reethi Beach offers elegant accommodation and a laid back atmosphere, with one of the highest repeat guest rates of any island in the Maldives.

In a stunning and remote location, this lovely island offers some fantastic diving opportunities on the surrounding reefs, home to mantas and whale sharks, especially during the summer months. There are also plenty of other watersports on offer, a fitness centre, and luxurious spa treatments.

Go on, treat yourself! Call 01353 659 999 for more details.

If you're looking for a Winter escape, the tiny Caribbean island of Carriacou has a simple, laidback charm that's just perfect for getting away from it all. Carriacou means Land of Reefs and the diving here more than lives up to its name. The waters surrounding the island abound with life and colour and the 30+ dive sites range from uncomplicated dives on sheltered reefs through to more advanced wall dives. There's also a number of artificial reefs / wrecks to explore and many new dive sites to discover.

Regaldive guests dive with well-established Deefer Diving, run firmly with the emphasis on personal and friendly service by Alex, Gary and their dogs Scuba and Ocean! With a keen interest in sidemount diving, and marine biology, guests will benefit from their knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise.

Deefer Diving also offers a fantastic new purpose built 30ft wooden diving catamaran, which was handbuilt on the island in just seven months. Bobcat can carry up to ten divers plus crew in great comfort and with plenty of space. Music, snacks and drinks are available on board. A bimini cover provides shade over the main deck, while the trampoline in the bow is the perfect place for sun worshippers. Extra space means that certified divers can bring their families along to snorkel and have fun while they dive.

All in all, Carriacou and Deefer Diving offer a great option for divers looking to get off the beaten track, and for anyone looking for a relaxed holiday with a friendly, family atmosphere. Carriacou also makes a great twin centre option with its big sister Grenada.

There is currently a worldwide shortage of yellow fever vaccine which is affecting the whole of the UK. Stamaril (Sanofi Pasteur MSD) is the only licensed yellow fever vaccine available in the UK and Sanofi is experiencing an ongoing delay in the manufacturing process.

Interruption to the supply of vaccine is expected to continue until January 2014. The current shortage has implications for those travellers requiring vaccine in the coming months. Availability of yellow fever vaccine will vary from centre to centre and travellers may need to be referred to, or to seek out, alternate centres in order to be vaccinated.

Please seek medical advice regarding all vaccinations that may be recommended for your destination. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or GP.

Further information regarding vaccinations for travel can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

Island hopping is a great way to experience the best of the beautiful Philippines Islands. The dive sites of the Philippines are home to some of the best and most diverse marine eco-systems in South East Asia. Scientists believe that Southeast Asia is where most of the Pacific's marine organisms evolved before they spread out to colonise other oceans. There are over 500 species of hard and soft corals and innumerable varieties of fish and large pelagics. The diversity is astounding and caters to all levels of dive experience and interest.

An island hopping or twin centre holiday is the perfect way to discover the Philippines. Regaldive offer four different island hopping options with 10, 11 or 13 night itineraries to cater to different preferences and budgets. An 11 night deluxe island hopping adventure is the perfect introduction to these stunning islands. There are actually over 7,000 islands in the Philippines!! But our 11 night itinerary means a stay on two: Negros Oriental and Malapascua.

After an overnight on Cebu, and a transfer by ferry to Dumaguete on Negros, you will spend five nights and four days diving at the Pura Vida Resort. There is a stunning house reef at this intimate resort, but the highlight is undoubtedly Apo Island, one of the best known Philippines diving destinations. Apo is a tiny marine sanctuary that is teeming with fish and beautiful corals. There are ten dive sites around the island and each has something different to offer from exhilarating drift dives to gentle shallow dives over hard and soft corals.

The second part of your island hopping trip takes in Malapascua, a tiny, picturesque island just off the northern tip of Cebu, that is blessed with stunning white sands at Bounty Beach. Here, there are lots of little coves and bays to discover and this is a perfect destination to relax and unwind. The diving is equally magical and its underwater that you really get your pulse racing. Shark Point is one of the top places in the world to catch a glimpse of the elusive thresher shark. Be dazzled by the colours of the mandarin fish on a night dive or get your macro lens ready for an up close encounter with a pygmy seahorse at Gato Island.There's also plenty to keep wreck divers happy here. Our guests here stay at the lovely Ocean Vida Resort, situated directly on Bounty Beach.

Regaldive guest Sue Walker recently returned from an 11 night deluxe island hopping trip and had this to say about her holiday:

"Just to let you know I had a great holiday. Thanks to all at Regaldive for organising it so well. I was delighted to see lots of sea horses, including pygmies and the thresher sharks. Hotels were excellent and Sea Explorers friendly, efficient and professional. I will definitely book with you again!"

Thanks to Sue for the fabulous sea horse photo. We hope it inspires many more of you to discover the beautiful Philippines.

Diving with whale sharks ranks near the top of any diver’s bucket list. These gentle giants of the underwater world may look intimidating due to their enormous size but in fact they are known to pose no threat to humans, and munch their way through algae, plankton and krill, filtered from seawater through their enormous mouths. The largest fish on the planet, whale sharks can be up to 40 feet long and live for 80 years!

These enigmatic and beautiful creatures are more often seen close to the surface, making that elusive encounter all the more possible for divers and snorkelers alike. Despite their dwindling numbers and endangered species status, we are delighted to report that whale shark awareness is on the increase and we have recent sightings from Regaldive divers holidaying in Egypt, Oman, Philippines, Galapagos, Azores, Djibouti and other destinations around the world.

To mark this week’s International Whale Shark Day, we’ve put together a couple of options for those looking to maximise their chances of an underwater encounter with these gentle giants. Just don’t forget your camera!

The Daymaniyat Islands, off the coast of Muscat in Oman, have been placed under the protection of UNESCO and can offer less experienced divers the rare chance to swim with whale sharks, encountered from June to September. The islands provide divers with pristine coral gardens, walls and abundant fish life to admire, as well as other shark species including leopard sharks. Seven nights’ at the Nabucco's Al Sawadi Beach Resort, which proves easy access to the Daymaniyat islands, cost from £970 per person to include flights, transfers and seven nights’ half board accommodation, based on two people sharing. A three day dive pack costs from £173 per person, to include two unguided boat dives per day, air tanks and weights.

For more experienced divers, the Galapagos Islands are recognised as one of the world’s best locations to encounter whale sharks in large numbers, specifically between May and November. Regaldive’s eight day Galapagos Sky liveaboard journeys around Wolf and Darwin Islands, allowing divers the chance to swim alongside whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, dolphins and rays. The liveaboard includes two dives at Darwin’s Arch, where seasonal sightings of whale sharks are common. Costing from £4,591 per person, the package includes flights, transfers, two nights’ B&B hotel accommodation, seven nights’ Half Board boat accommodation on board the Galapagos Sky, some drinks, three dives per day on Wolf and Darwin Island, air tanks and weights.

Galapagos Special Offer

Book by 16 October 2013 for an incredible saving of up to £660 per person on liveaboard sailings aboard the luxuriously-appointed Galapagos Sky. This boat offers really incredible levels of service - they will even bring you tea in bed! This limited special offer is valid for sailings on 6, 20 and 27 December 2013, and 17 January, 7 and 21 February, 14 and 28 March 2014.

For more information call 01353 659 999.

Thanks to Simon Rogerson for the incredible imagery of whale sharks in Djibouti.