From the mainland, divers can explore the ocean reefs along the Riviera Maya coastline. The reefs have a colourful mix of classic Caribbean corals and are populated by large shoals of grey snapper and porkfish, which form highways along the overhangs. I also saw spider crabs, nurse sharks, flounders, flamingo tongue snail, and plenty more marine life. 

There are wrecks to explore too, many of which were purposefully scuttled to create artificial reefs, so they have good access routes inside. Barracuda and rays circle the wrecks, making for excellent sightings during your time on the line. 

If sharks are your thing, then during the winter months (November to March) it is possible to see bull sharks during feeding dives along the Rivera Maya coastline.

Mainland-based divers also have the option to take a day trip over to Cozumel, a more peaceful island with azure waters, swim-throughs, and an abundance of marine life. Drift diving is a popular option there as the water pushes between the island and the mainland, the currents bring with them rich waters, creating the giant sponges and attracting large schools of Bluefin trevally, eagle rays, and turtles. The architecture of the corals here is much more interesting than the mainland, and they are more vibrant. There are accommodation options on Cozumel island, for those looking for a more tranquil holiday. Cozumel is also ideal if you have more time and want to split it between two locations.

Mexico's Cenotes are a real must-see. These are a collection of chambers, caverns and cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula, created in the limestone by underground waterways and sinkholes. The sun shines down through the breaks in the tropical canopy and enters the crystal-clear water, creating iconic sunbeams. Further inside, you’ll discover stunning geological formations which were created before the space was flooded, freezing that moment in time as a living museum for divers to explore. There are a variety of cenotes in the area, from shallow and relatively open spaces, to deeper and darker structures. These dives were by far my favourite experience during my time away. 

From Playa del Carmen, you can enjoy a snorkelling excursion to see Mexico’s iconic gentle giants: whale sharks. Between June and September, these large pelagics congregate in giant numbers around Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox, along with the occasional manta ray, dolphin pod, and a turtle or two for good company! We were lucky enough to have interactions with three individuals ranging from five to eight metres in length. 

On a good day, there can be over 100 whale sharks in the area. This trip does come with fair warning, it can be bumpy and rocky when you’re in the open ocean. Sea sickness tablets are advised for those who need them (myself included!). 

The ocean diving along the mainland and Cozumel is suitable for all levels: learn-to-dive and upwards, and snorkellers too. To get the most out of the Cenotes diving, I recommended logging at least 30 dives and completing the Advanced Open Water qualification (or equivalent), with a focus on developing excellent buoyancy skills. However, there are options for less qualified divers if it’s a must for you. Speak to one of our team to work out the best option for you.

I’ve only covered the scuba and snorkelling activities in the Riviera Maya area, we haven’t even scratched the surface of the top side activities - Mayan ruins, temples and jungle tours to name a few! Mexico really does have something for everyone, and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring. Cenotes, I’ll see you again!

To find out more about diving holidays to Riviera Maya, you can contact our expert team of divers.

1. Thailand

Along Thailand's Andaman coast are several dive sites perfect for beginners, and it's one of our top picks for learning how to dive from a resort in Phuket. For those looking for a liveaboard, Khao Lak is the gateway to the Similan & Surin Islands, home to some of the best dive sites in Thailand. The reefs here are incredible, the pelagic species prolific and the biodiversity astonishing. From leopard sharks to manta rays and harlequin shrimp to pipefish, there's plenty on offer, whilst for whale shark encounters you should choose an itinerary that visits the world-famous Richelieu Rock.

Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent, no minimum number of dives.

Find out more about liveaboard diving in Thailand.

2. Red Sea

For incredible, healthy and pristine reef diving look no further than St. John's in the far south of Egypt's Red Sea. Away from the majority of diving resorts, St. John's is only visited by liveaboards meaning it's the perfect choice for divers looking for the finest diving experiences away from the crowds. Suitable for all divers, no matter their experience level, you will surely kickstart your love for diving here. Underwater highlights include a variety of shark species, dazzling coral reefs bustling with fish life and the occasional manta or hammerhead.

Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent, no minimum number of dives. However, you may experience current on some dives so should be comfortable diving in current.

Find out more about liveaboard diving in the Red Sea.

3. Maldives

Novice divers can still get a chance to dive the Best of the Maldives on board Emperor liveaboards! Visiting some of the most renowned sites in the atoll, beginners needn't miss out with plenty of action underwater to keep them and snorkellers entertained. Stopping off at North & South Male Atoll, Ari Atoll & Felidhoo Atoll, this promises to be a memorable experience as you encounter huge schools of fish, nurse, grey and white-tip sharks, manta rays and possibly even whale sharks. Surely there's no better place to tick off your first pelagics than in the Maldives?!

Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent, no minimum number of dives. However, you may experience current on some dives so should be comfortable diving in current.

Find out more about liveaboard diving in the Maldives.

4. Caribbean

In the north-east of the Caribbean, the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, Saba and St Maarten are a great choice. Topside it's stunning, and underwater the excellent visibility and calm conditions make less experienced divers feel at ease here. The marine life found around this chain of islands is plentiful with coral reefs, hawksbill turtles, barracuda and a host of critters such as frogfish and nudibranch all likely. A few dives at Saba Marine Park are typically included in Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard itineraries, offering remarkable biodiversity from its corals to fish life.

Requirements: PADI Open Water or equivalent. Regaldive recommends at least 20 dives for this itinerary.

All of these featured liveaboard adventures are possible to join as an Open Water diver, with a recommended minimum number of dives in some instances. Regaldive would always recommend that divers are comfortable in the water and have at least 20 dives to get full enjoyment from any liveaboard. If divers do not already have their Advanced Open Water qualification, this is also highly recommended to enjoy all dives offered. This course can be completed as part of many liveaboards including those mentioned above.

Contact us for further information or search all our liveaboard departures.

Mantas, the gentle giants of the sea, kickstarted Marine Conservationist and Film-maker Danny's fascination with the oceans, and snorkelling with manta rays never gets old - the encounters rarely, if ever, fail to leave him awestruck.

There are plenty of reasons for visiting the Maldives, however for Danny it's the Maldivian reef manta ray. The Maldives are home to the largest known population of reef mantas in the world, and arguably the most extensively studied. There has been ID confirmation of roughly 5000 individuals, and that dwarfs many other places by a considerable margin! They stay local to the islands, meaning researchers such as the Maldivian Manta Ray Project have been able to extensively study them for 17 years, clocking up an astonishing 75000 sightings. 

It's precisely because of this research that we're confident our Maldives Manta Ray Extravaganza group trip has an excellent chance of locating the mantas. We visit the best location at the best possible time - coinciding with the full moon and coupled with a plankton boom, hundreds of manta rays flock to Hanifaru Bay in the Northern Atolls. This unique combination means our trip offers the opportunity to not only swim with the manta rays but to experience them in numbers that are considered rare or once-in-a-lifetime in other parts of the world. However, in the Maldives, it’s a pretty much daily occurrence! It truly is a life-changing and unique experience, witnessing the daily mass feeding events and having manta after manta swimming past you is unlike anything you've seen before.

It's not uncommon to see 20-50 manta rays during your holiday to the Maldives, however, on a good day at Hanifaru at the height of the season it's rare to see less than 40 or 50 on a given day, often at the same time! 100+ manta days are not uncommon here. If we're lucky we may be able to witness rare feeding behaviours such as the manta cyclone, as the mantas swim in a spiral, pulling the plankton in a circle akin to an underwater ballet, lasting from minutes to hours. It only really happens in Hanifaru Bay and is one of the most incredible things you'll ever encounter.

If that wasn't enough, the Indian Ocean may even spoil us with a friendly whale shark sighting. Again, there aren't many places in the world where you could see both of the species on the same day, or even during the same moment. Danny has been fortunate enough to experience this and we are hoping for similar luck on our trip.

The itinerary also includes some time diving Baa, Ari & Raa atolls. Here we explore cleaning stations and dive with manta rays. It's an entirely different encounter than the feeding mantas at Hanifaru Bay - the individuals are more inquisitive, yet just as special and magical, providing a different juxtaposition.

Hanifaru Bay holds a special charm. It's the place Danny's returned to year after year, and he wants to share it with us Regaldivers. Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime diving holiday to the Maldives, as we witness one of the great natural events of our oceans. Contact us to find out more or to book your place.

MALDIVES MANTA RAY EXTRAVAGANZA

The Maldives is not only great for whale sharks - it's a hotspot for manta rays too, especially around the Baa Atoll in late summer and autumn. We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to join marine conservationist and cameraman Danny Copeland on an extended liveaboard adventure to the northern atolls, timed to visit Hanifaru Bay when the reef manta ray aggregation is at its peak.

Trip dates: 11 Sep 2024

From £3650 per person (including return flights from the UK, 10 nights on Moonima liveaboard, all meals, diving & transfers)

Find out more about our Maldives Manta Ray Extravaganza

Galapagos whale shark expedition

The ultimate trip for whale shark enthusiasts, this unique dive safari cruises the Galapagos Islands during whale shark season under the guidance of marine biologist and whale shark expert, Sofía Green Iturralde. In addition to wonderful whale shark encounters, insightful knowledge and presentations to enhance your experience, this trip also supports the crucial research of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project.

Trip dates: 23 Sep 2024

From £5295 per person (including domestic flights, 7 nights on Aqua Galapagos liveaboard, all meals, diving & transfers)

Find out more about our Galapagos Whale Shark Expedition

MALAPASCUA DIVE ADVENTURE

Visit one of the best places in the world for thresher shark encounters on this diving holiday to the Philippines. Led by SCUBA magazine editor Simon Rogerson, this trip is ideal for underwater photographers of all levels and focuses on the dazzling coral reefs and delightful critters. Simon has previously researched the threshers of Monad Shoal and therefore has plenty of experience to share with the group.

Trip dates: TBC - please contact us for details.

From £2345 per person (including flights, accommodation, breakfast & diving)

Find out more about our Malapascua Dive Adventure

maldives whale shark extravaganza

Based at the magical Boutique Beach Resort on Dhigurah Island in th South Ari Atoll and limited to a maximum of just 12 divers, this unique trip offers the opportunity of multiple encounters with prolific megafauna plus some action-packed diving at some of the Maldives’ most famous dive sites. You’ll also benefit from the expertise of Chloe Winn from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

Trip dates: TBC - please contact us for details.

From £2795 per person (including accommodation, all meals, diving & transfers)

Find out more about our Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza

Muck & Magic with Saeed Rashid

Marine life lovers and underwater photographers alike will enjoy this diving holiday led by popular underwater photographer Saeed Rashid to Lembeh Strait. During our time here there are plenty of macro subjects to focus on such as nudibranch, seahorse, frogfish, mandarinfish and octopus. We're also offering an optional extension to Raja Ampat, perfect for sampling some of the finest diving in the Coral Triangle - contact us for more information.

Trip dates: TBC - please contact us for details.

13 days from £3,045 per person

Find out more about our Muck & Magic trip with Saeed Rashid.

To book any of the above trips, or to find out more information please contact our friendly team.

Images by Basith Mohamed, Saeed Rashid, Danny Copeland & Jonathan Green

Thailand, known affectionately as the 'Land of Smiles', has long been a favourite destination for those looking for a truly tropical adventure. Beauty abounds at every turn, with stunning nature and wildlife, incredible culinary pleasures and of course the wonderful, welcoming people that give the country its epithet.

With ideal diving conditions from November through to April, Thailand’s Andaman coast makes for a perfect winter diving break. To whet your appetite, we explore some of the best dive sites of this stunning region; dive sites that are sure to put a smile on your face once again. 

Koh Bon

Thailand is renowned for many diving delights, from colourful reefs to a superb diversity of marine life. One of the stars of the show are the manta rays however, and Koh Bon might just be the best place to see them. This unassuming island lies to the north of the Similan Islands. On its western flank a ridge drops down towards a pinnacle that acts as a manta cleaning station.  

Sightings tend to be best from January through to April, but manta rays are not the only exciting encounter at Koh Bon. Eagle rays, tuna, wahoo and other larger predators are a common sight, while whale sharks make an occasional visit. 

West of Eden & Deep Six

These twin iconic dive sites are found at the northwestern tip of Similan Island no.7 - part of the famed Similan Island group that are widely considered to be Thailand’s finest dive destination. An assault for the senses, these dive sites arguably offer the very best of Thailand in one small area.  

West of Eden is characterised by large boulders adorned in sea fans, feather stars and soft corals, offering a wonderful playground for divers. This gives way to a sloping reef known as Deep Six with coral covered pinnacles and more magical marine life.  

The diversity of these sites is exceptional, with the chance to happen upon both smaller characters such as ghost pipefish or mantis shrimp, and larger marine life - including moray eels, turtles or maybe something larger. 

King Cruiser Wreck

Thailand is not only about wonderful reefs and marine life. In May 1997, the King Cruiser hit a nearby reef and sunk in the waters between Phuket & Koh Phi Phi. Now residing in 32 metres of water, this impressive wreck makes a great dive for the more experienced diver. The wreck is covered in life, from nudibranch and moray eels to turtles, batfish and barracuda. Definitely one for the logbook. 

Shark Point

Also between Phuket and Ko Phi Phi – and accessible from both – is Shark Point. The graceful leopard shark gives its name to the dive site and is regularly seen resting on the sand or swimming effortlessly through the water.  

Shark Point comprises a series of underwater pinnacles adorned in soft corals and teeming with fascinating marine life. Lovers of smaller marine life with delight in searching for tigertail seahorse, ghost pipefish or rare, miniature moray eels while snapper, trevally and grouper call this vibrant reef home as well. 

Elephant Head Rock

The east side of the world-famous Similan Islands are known for their fringing coral reefs and pinnacles. The west side is very different, but no less fascinating. Here, large granite boulders create a wonderful playground for divers creating canyons and swim-throughs galore to enjoy. The most iconic dive site of this type in the Similan Islands is the aptly named Elephant Head Rock. As if the dive site itself weren't enjoyable enough, this is also a good site for shark encounters. 

Christmas Point

Another dive site on the west coast of the Similan Islands, Christmas Point is a real favourite. Wind your way through a maze of boulders and swim-throughs often awash with glassfish, all the while marvelling at soft corals radiating pinks, purples and oranges. Keep your eyes peeled for ribbon eels, nudibranch and pipefish, but don’t forget to look to the blue on occasion to look for passing a eagle ray or leopard shark! A dive site not to be missed. 

Richelieu Rock

Lying far to the north of the Similan Islands group and southeast of the Surin Islands is Richelieu Rock, possibly Thailand’s most renowned dive site. This horseshoe-shaped limestone pinnacle is an absolute treasure. Corals cling to every crack and crevice while a staggering diversity of marine life is seen here.  

The star of the show for lucky divers however is the mighty whale shark. These gentle giants can be seen almost anywhere on the Andaman coast, particularly between February and May, but the best chance to encounter one is, without doubt at the mighty Richelieu Rock dive site.

Both resort-based diving and liveaboard diving are available in Thailand. Day boat trips explore the dive sites around Phuket and Ko Phi Phi, while it is possible to visit the Similan Islands on a fast and comfortable catamaran from Khao Lak with Sea Bees Dive Centre.  

To see the very best of the Similan & Surin Islands, we recommend a liveaboard, with options available to suit a range of budgets, and between three and seven days in duration.  

To discuss your Thailand adventure, get in touch with our friendly team today! 

Aimed at divers who like to travel as part of a group, and those who may normally enjoy a liveaboard experience, these small group adventures offer an action-packed diving itinerary and excellent value for money. 

Small groups provide the comfort and reassurance of a safe bubble, while affording the opportunity to create bespoke diving itineraries showcasing the very best diving on offer. 

Our small group dive adventures are proving popular so we have added some new dates for travel! So, whether you want a quick getaway to Egypt, a Maldives experience like no other, or a special trip to Indonesia, we’ve created some exciting small group dive adventures just for you. Read on and join us!

Maldives whale shark extravaganza from £2695

Rewind, detox and enjoy wonderful diving with our small group adventures to the Boutique Beach Resort. Created by British ex-pat Romney Drury, this magical dive resort has just six rooms and has won countless awards for its approach. With an enviable location at the tip of the South Ari Atoll, this area is known for excellent whale shark sightings and has over 50 dive sites to choose from, including some of the most celebrated dive sites in the Maldives.  

Accompanied by a whale shark expert, we enjoy two dives a day including a full day trip to Manta Point and some secret dive spots along the way. Accommodation, meals, transfers and Nitrox are also included, along with a trip to a non-local island for anyone missing a drink!

Contact us for future departure dates.

Find out more about our Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza.

Sharm Dive Extravaganza from £695

Enjoy a week of fun and adventure at the Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village, an authentic Bedouin style family run resort north of Sharm el Sheikh. This resort has a has a peaceful village vibe and offers a relaxed ambience away from the crowds. 

Three dives per day are on offer, with a special diving itinerary including Ras Mohamed National Park, an early morning dive in Tiran, the Dunraven wreck and two night dives. A total of 15 dives are included during the week. Accommodation, meals and transfers are also included, with complimentary single supplements for single divers.

Contact us for future departure dates.

Find out more about our Sharm Dive Extravaganza.

Bunaken Bonanza from £1345

Experience a week of exceptional diving at Tasik Ria Resort on the shores of Manado, facing Bunaken National Marine Park. A spacious, family run property, the Tasik Ria Resort is set in natural surroundings and offers comfort and warm hospitality.  

Three dives per day are on offer, with a special diving itinerary that includes a night dive and a trip to the Lembeh Strait to seek out the weird and wonderful. A total of 17 dives are included during the week. Accommodation, meals, transfers and Nitrox are also included, with complimentary single supplements for single divers.

Contact us for future departure dates.

Find out more about our Bunaken Bonanza.

All prices are quoted on a land only basis and are per person. Flight prices available on request and may vary depending on the time of booking. Group size for all trips is only 6-10 people. All departures can be booked on our flexible booking promise. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date when new departures are added.

To book your diving holiday, get in touch with our friendly team.

Cath Bates

In my years of diving I have had many lucky encounters with turtles, even seeing them chased by sharks! One memory though particularly stands out from a trip to Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi in Indonesia. While you can be divebombed by a multitude of both green and hawksbill turtles throughout your time there, occasionally one will steal your heart.

Cruising along the wall of Manado Tua, I turned mid-dive to find a medium-sized green sea turtle gently finning next to me. She passed right in front manoeuvring her body lithely to look me over and check I wasn’t a threat, before settling down beneath a ledge on the wall. It was too good a photo opportunity to miss and as I slowly approached, she began scratching her carapace like a cow on a fence. Allowing me to snap her contented portrait she slowly moved along the reef to munch on some tasty broccoli coral. The coral broke up in the water generating a cloud of goo. I clearly wasn’t of interest but she would occasionally glance to her left and right to check nothing was coming to steal her dinner.

After happily posing for some more photographs, she lazily pushed off the ledge and swam into the clear blue water. Her ornate shell featured dark sunflower bursts of brown, white and gold as if it had been painted by an impressionist artist. Something startled her and she began to pelt faster and faster making it look like she was leaving a trail of fire behind her. Then - as if someone had tied her to a bunch of helium balloons - she floated effortlessly up to the surface to catch her breath. Silhouetted against the sun I marvelled at the prehistoric shape that had just afforded me such a memorable moment in time. Within seconds she turned, swimming downwards into the abyss and was gone. 

Charlie Munns

My favourite turtle interaction was during my time working aboard the Odyssey liveaboard in Truk Lagoon. 

My favourite dive in Truk Lagoon was on the huge Shinkoku Maru, an old fuel tanker in the Japanese fleet. This oiler is a haven for hard and soft corals and as it is one of the rarer wrecks that sits in the middle of nowhere (rather than at anchor off the coast of one of the islands), it was always a magnet for any wildlife in the area. Sitting on white sand at a max depth of 40m and standing a good 28m to the top of the superstructure (the masts come to within 7m of the surface), the Shinkoku offers fantastic multi-levelling diving.

On one such dive, having bimbled about in the massive engine room and made my way up to the rear deck, I began my gradual ascent to the boat (and hot food) with a quick stop atop the huge smoke stack that dominates the rear half of the deck. It is covered in so much life, it could easily be classed as a reef all unto itself. As I neared the top of the smoke stack, I initially made out a large dark shadow. My first thought was this was another guest who was now late for their evening meal, but on closer inspection it was obvious this was a very, very large green turtle. Everything about this big-boy was oversized. The carapace was at least my size, his head was the size of a football. He was so large, I was a little bit intimidated to be honest. Fully expecting him to take offence at my arrival, I was surprised he barely reacted at all. He was far more interested in the smorgasbord of soft sponges adorning the perimeter of the chimney. As he munched and crunched his way around, I just knew I could settle down for a closer inspection.

Bit by bit, as he moved to his right, I shimmied to my left until I was right up against him. I could hear him eating. He could surely hear my breathing but neither of us were perturbed and something rather magical happened. He shuffled closer and almost as if yawning at the same time, his front right flipper came to rest on my left arm. This was a 'moment', you know that time when everything around you is just calm. The 'moment' you look around to see if anyone else is bearing witness but realise you are totally alone. The 'moment' you know you are at one with nature and neither of you are deemed a threat to the other. I immediately wanted to put a name to this gentle giant and the name Benson came to mind, his namesake was a local guy working alongside me on the Odyssey. Over the following weeks and months, Benson and I would regularly meet up at the same smoke stack. He was always there, always munching, always chilled. Initially I kept him secret from the others aboard but if I knew a guest was likely to be diving at dusk, I began to make it known where to find him. On my last visit to Truk in 2019, I did not see either of the Bensons but that's OK. I know they are both out there, both yawning, both are either eating or preparing to eat and that just makes me smile. 

Best turtle diving experiences

Feeling inspired? We offer a range of holidays where turtle sightings are common, and we can also arrange trips to see them nesting in season - an unforgettable experience that's sure to make for a rewarding holiday.

Dive with turtles in Oman.

Dive with turtles in Tobago.

ULTIMATE RED SEA

The Red Sea is a classic liveaboard destination that we all know and love and there are many great itineraries, from the thrilling diving at the Brothers to discovering the mighty Thistlegorm. If you are looking to get the most out of the Red Sea however, how about booking the ultimate Red Sea liveaboard adventure?

Join the Blue Melody on select dates in April and May 2022 and embark on a 10-night adventure covering the Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone, Tiran and the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm.

Selected departure dates:

28 April, from £1,387 

08 May, from £1,621  

20 May, from £1,621

30 May, from £1,621  

SENSATIONAL SUDAN

Head south from the Egyptian Red Sea and the diving gets even better as you enter the seldom dived waters of Sudan. Join the luxurious Royal Evolution on her special annual two-week expeditions departing from Egypt to Sudanese waters. Highlights include the wreck of the Umbria, coral reefs bursting with life and a variety of shark encounters.

Selected departure dates:

10 February, from £2,428

24 February, from £2,428

10 March, from £2,428

24 March, from £2,428

GO DEEP (SOUTH) IN THE MALDIVES

The Maldives deserves its reputation as one of the best liveaboard destinations in the world. This island nation comprises 26 atolls and over 1,100 coral islands spread over 750 kilometres of the Indian Ocean. 

Most liveaboard itineraries focus on the central atolls. However, in the early months of each year certain liveaboards venture south. Deep south, in fact. The southern reaches of the Maldives are rarely visited and - at this time of year - are known for exceptional marine life encounters, especially with sharks. 

Join one of these special liveaboard adventures to experience a different side to the Maldives.

Selected departure dates:

20 January - Emperor Leo, from £ 2,253

12 February - Emperor Explorer, from £2,570

26 February - Emperor Leo, from £ 2,253

5 March - Emperor Explorer, from £2,570

13 March - Amba from £4,499 (25-night extended special!)

MANTAS & MORE IN SOCORRO

Socorro, or the Revillagigedo Archipelago to give the islands their true name, lie in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Mexico. Along with Cocos and the Galapagos Islands, they form part of the pacific shark corridor. However, the islands are primarily renowned for having the most impressive manta ray sightings in the world. The supporting cast for this show is equally impressive, with up to seven species of shark, dolphin and numerous other pelagic visitors.

Join us on these exclusive, extended adventures in prime manta season to experience the jaw-dropping beauty of these mighty animals on board the Nautilus Explorer.

Image by Stuart Westmorland

Selected departure dates:

3 March, from £2,983

18 April,  from £2,822

THE BOUNDLESS BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has long been one of the top diving destinations in the Caribbean. Its location promises plentiful shark encounters in addition to great wreck dives, colourful reefs and azure blue waters. This special extended itinerary focuses on the diving around Grand Bahama Island and Bimini, with the possibility of encounters with two of the Bahamas’ most iconic inhabitants: the great hammerhead and the tiger shark.

Image by Brett Davis

Selected departure dates:

7 January - Bahamas Master, from £3,789

6 April - Bahamas Aggressor, from £2,635 - SAVE £615!

23 July - Bahamas Master, from £3,359

PERFECT PALAU

Consistently ranked as one of the world's most spectacular dive destinations, Palau is home to an astonishing spectrum of marine life and is famed for its pelagic action. Sharks are frequent visitors to these protected waters and there are also a number of manta ray cleaning stations. The big fish encounters are complimented by stunning reefs and some great wreck dives too.

Head to Palau on these select departures to catch all the action with these liveaboard departures.

Selected departure dates:

20 March - Rock Island Aggressor, from £2,260 - SAVE £460!

24 June - Palau Siren, Spawning Special - New Moon from £3,792

MASTER THE GALAPAGOS

The Galapagos Islands need little introduction. Straddling the equator, 97% of these enchanted islands are protected national park, while the waters surrounding the islands are a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Several oceanic currents meet here, creating and extraordinary abundance of marine life that has few equals anywhere in the world.

Liveaboard itineraries are closely controlled by the Galapagos National Park and seven-night itineraries are the norm here, spending as much time as possible at the Wolf & Darwin Islands. These liveaboards are bucket-list adventures in their own right, but occasionally extended 10-night adventures are offered, allowing those lucky few to discover even more of the majestic Galapagos Islands. Join one of these special trips in 2022 for the ultimate Galapagos diving adventure.

Selected departure dates:

6 January from £6,875

10 February from £6,875

28 February from £6,875 - Only 2 spaces left!

All prices displayed are per person, boat only.

Demand is high for these special trips, so get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss your big adventure for 2022, or view all our liveaboard diving holidays.

The past year has been tough, and often the only thing that gets us through is hearing good news stories. We've heard of lots of people stepping up, helping their neighbours and building strong community bonds, and it's something we feel should continue post-pandemic.

If you know a fellow diver who has acted like a hero this past year, Emperor wants to thank eight lucky heroes with a free liveaboard trip. To enter your Covid hero, tell Emperor (in 100-200 words) why they deserve a free trip and whether they would prefer a Maldives or Red Sea liveaboard trip. There are four Red Sea and four Maldives liveaboards up for grabs, so get nominating and give your hero something to look forward to!

Luke Atkinson, Emperor’s Red Sea Manager, said “This initiative is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all those hundreds of people who have taken a selfless interest in looking after the vulnerable in their community. Examples could include healthworkers, carers or those who have come out of retirement to volunteer locally, but really we know there are many other ways people have been heroic."

Entries, comments and questions should be sent to heroes@emperordivers.com and terms & conditions apply. Winners will be announced monthly on the 14th for the Maldives trip and the 28th for the Red Sea prize of each month starting 28th February. Competition ends 14th June 2021. Please submit your final entries for the Red Sea by 20th May and the Maldives by 5th June.

#coviddiverheroes 

We still remember the month of March when we went from the peak of the high season to stopping the entire diving operation within two weeks! It’s amazing how fast the world shut down due to the pandemic. Our team were so busy underwater, and the Maldives was one of the last destinations to close their borders to tourists, that we hardly realised what was happening. Until of course, our last guests left. 

Like so many, we were confident that the closure would only be short-lived. Turns out, that was seven long months and we opened our doors to divers again, with big open arms, on the 1st of November, with all the new safety protocols in place of course. 

Image by A.Shuau

The majority of the Euro-Divers team were able to return home, but some remained on island during the worldwide lockdown. The island felt like a strange place to live, an empty resort with no guests. We soon fell into a new routine and got used to the new way of island life. We had the chance to complete renovations, improve the gardens and the time to do a few other handyman jobs to keep everything in top shape for the reopening of the resort. 

Those of us that remained on island led a simple and tranquil life over the seven months. We watched the news from around the world and somehow felt safe and protected from the pandemic, living on our island bubble. With more free time on our hands we encouraged staff members to explore the island our way, by getting them out on the house reef! Highlights from that time include watching turtles nesting on the beach next to the restaurant and larger sharks patrolling the reef. We certainly witnessed some positive changes in the marine way of life. .

Here at the dive centre, we were super excited to welcome our first guests back when the resort reopened at the beginning of November. Happy for the guests to get back underwater to see the incredible, magical underwater world we all love to be in. New safety measures have been put in place, such as a maximum of eight divers on a boat to respect social distancing. Every diver now keeps the same equipment for their entire stay and it is regularly cleaned by our well-trained crew. Vilamendhoo has also introduced safety measures beginning with the guest arrival in Malé, through to seating in the restaurant, room cleaning and other services and activities around the island. 

Since reopening there have been some magical moments for our divers. The diving around the island has been fantastic. Our guests have had encounters with bottlenose dolphins, as well as seeing more fish life than before. Top of the wish list, our divers have encountered over 10 manta rays at the cleaning station and we’ve seen whale sharks in the national park. Long may it continue! 

Image by Leila Wirz

The Euro-Divers team look forward to welcoming you back to the island, to introducing new divers to the breathtaking underwater world of the South Ari Atoll and to create more diving memories together!

We are ready. Come and visit us!

Manuel Schierl, Manager of Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo

Vilamendhoo Island Resort is fully open and is offering 20% on bookings made before 5 January 2021. For more information, contact our friendly team.