We know you are keen to get back underwater, to return to your favourite part of ‘earth’ where the fish go about their business, where silence is golden and you can safely buddy up. As the world reopens, it’s time to take a look at our top 5 diving destinations for 2021 so you can wear your favourite mask again and catch up with old friends. Let’s go diving!

Maldives

A firm favourite, the Maldives is a truly amazing diving destination with the promise of manta ray and whale shark encounters, and so much more. It’s also becoming more affordable. We offer tailormade diving holidays to the Maldives to suit your requirements and there’s plenty of choice of liveaboard or resort, or if you prefer why not combine them both? 

The Emperor Serenity is a modern, luxurious boat with a lot of space on board for the 26 guests. She was voted the 6th best liveaboard worldwide in the Dive Travel Awards 2020. Showcasing the best of the Maldives, the week-long itinerary ensures you drop in on some of the iconic sites in the central atolls to dive amongst the colourful marine life, drift along walls and gaze in awe at the pelagic life. Plus, for small groups (or perhaps your bubble) 5 pay, and the 6th goes free! 

Located on the southeast corner of the Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo Island Resort lies at the heart of some of the most thrilling dive sites in the Maldives. There are ten entry points on the house reef alone. The resort is great for families and non-diving partners, especially those who like to snorkel. Perhaps best for an all-round Maldivian experience, this resort will always be a popular choice. Have you read our blog about life on the island during 2020?

Our Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza small group trip is based at Boutique Beach Resort, also located on the southern end of the Ari Atoll. The British operated resort only features six rooms and their eco-friendly approach and support for the local community has won many admirers. Join like-minded divers for an exceptional diving adventure.

Galapagos Islands

This destination needs no introduction and is mostly likely on every diver’s bucket list. We know divers want to get back as soon as possible, with as little outlay as possible and with favourable payment terms and flexibility to rearrange in these uncertain times. We have listened, and with that we would like to introduce a new liveaboard, the Aqua Galapagos.  

The cosy, mid-range liveaboard accommodates 16 guests and operates week long diving itineraries including three days at Wolf & Darwin islands. She’s family friendly and offers a great rate for single divers. Plus, if you want to see more of the islands, you can extend your trip to include a topside naturalist itinerary creating a trip of a lifetime. The experienced crew look forward to welcoming you on board for your next diving adventure! 

Egypt - Red Sea

We look forward to getting you diving again in the Red Sea. One of the most popular ways is to jump on a boat, taking you closer to the underwater action. Choose from a variety of itineraries and book your spot on one of our 18 liveaboards. Departing from Hurghada, the Blue Planet 1 accommodates a maximum of 16 guests, a great choice for those who prefer smaller groups. Itineraries include time in the Ras Mohamed Marine Park, exploring the reefs of Tiran and discovering one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world. 

Some prefer to stay in resort and explore the reefs. Regaldive offer 35 Red Sea accommodations. Head south to Safaga to stay at Coral Garden, a true diver’s resort with bungalow style accommodation set back from the golden sands of the bay. Most diving is conducted by boat to reach the spectacular offshore reefs and wall dives of sites like Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan. If you’re looking to get away from the world, Shams Alam offers peace and tranquillity, plus over 30 dive sites to explore, most likely with just your buddy for company. The choice is yours. 

We’ve created a diving bubble with our small group holiday to Sharm el Sheikh. It’s been designed for those who like to travel as part of a small group, whilst enjoying the camaraderie of a liveaboard. The week-long holiday includes 15 dives, staying at Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village.

Sharm Dive Extravaganza
From only £695 per person.

Grenada

The island nations of the Caribbean offer a special charm, a friendly and vibrant ambiance and plenty of underwater attractions for divers. Grenada is easy to reach and renowned for its array of wrecks, including the Bianca C, the largest in the region. Not only are there some great offers at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort for travel in 2021, you can arrive and dive during the mandatory quarantine time, as long as you stay in resort. The resort has been an island leader in adapting to the new protocols whilst ensuring guest’s safety and enjoyment of being on holiday.

Diving in Grenada is concentrated in the southwest of the island. Discover wrecks and explore the reefs in the Marine Park. Expect to see frogfish, turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, schools of colourful fish and nurse sharks in residence on some of the wrecks. The Underwater Sculpture Park is home to 75 pieces all created with materials that encourage marine life, creating natural reefs. It’s a spectacle and is open to both divers and snorkellers.  

Extend your stay by hopping over to Carriacou, the land of reefs and Grenada’s small island neighbour. Enjoy swim-throughs, drift dives and more coral encrusted wrecks all at your own pace. Suitable for divers of all abilities, keep an eye out for the tiny creatures plus lobster, rays, turtles and sharks as you explore the 20+ dive sites. 

Cocos Island

Diving with sharks at one of the most remote sites in the world is right up there on the bucket list for many experienced divers. Cocos Island is recognised as one of the best diving locations for shark encounters. Think bull, silky, silvertip, whitetip and walls of scalloped hammerheads to name a few. It’s only a small dot of land in the vast Pacific, measuring roughly five miles by two miles, but a beacon for larger ocean creatures, which is why it’s so inviting for us divers. 

Reached only by liveaboard, this world-class dive adventure is suited to experienced divers. We strongly recommend that divers be advanced qualified with deep and night diving qualifications to enjoy the benefits of diving this remote location.  

Don't miss ...

Like you, we are passionate about travelling and diving. We work hard to offer you amazing underwater adventures and value for money. So, we couldn't resist mentioning these two fantastic diving destinations as an extension to the top 5 for 2021!

Oman tourist visas now available, fingers crossed for the travel corridor in the new year which is a great time to jump on the Oman Explorer and dive remote sites in the Hallaniyat islands. 

Malta & Gozo were one of the first destinations to be on our travel corridor list, and cannot be overlooked for 2021. It’s a chance for people to get back in the water, to learn, to develop their skills and get some sunshine! 

To find out more about our top five diving holidays, contact our friendly Regaldive team.