1. Bunaken, Indonesia

The crystal-clear waters and staggering marine biodiversity of Bunaken Marine Park make this a popular diving destination. In summer, the seas are calm and you can take in the full majesty of the vibrant coral walls which are teeming with colourful fish. The waters are also home to barracuda, Napoleon wrasse and green turtles.

2. Bali, Indonesia 

The chance to dive with seasonal Mola Mola, also known as ocean sunfish is an excellent reason to visit Bali in the summer. These gigantic and unusual-looking fish are most commonly sighted in August and September around Crystal Bay (though you might get lucky in July or October). The summer months are also a great time to spot manta rays and other underwater highlights such as turtles, shipwrecks and fascinating macro species.

3. Komodo, Indonesia 

A bucket list destination for most divers, Komodo is particularly special in the dry season, April to November, when divers can enjoy lovely weather and excellent water visibility which sometimes exceeds 30 metres. There’s a dazzling array of marine species to discover around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including manta rays, sharks and an abundance of critters. Underwater, you’ll find steep walls and coral-encrusted canyons, while topside you can search for Komodo dragons!

4. Azores 

Diving in the azure waters around the breathtaking Azores archipelago is only possible for a few months each year. We recommend diving there between June and October when average water temperatures are in the low 20s, visibility peaks and mobula rays gather around seamounts. The rewards are endless, from exploring the volcanic islands, arches and caves to encounters with some of the world’s largest pelagics and marine mammals. Playful dolphins, grouper, mobula rays and whale sharks (August) are all frequently seen here, with sightings of blue and mako shark possible. Whales also gather here, and you may even hear their song underwater if you're very lucky! 

5. Bonaire 

Known as one of the finest Caribbean diving destinations, Bonaire is widely renowned for offering exceptional shore diving and snorkelling experiences. The shallow reefs host hundreds of species of colourful fish and critters amid amazing coral gardens. The marine life is spectacular whenever you visit, but during the summer, the weather and diving conditions are superb and there are fewer tourists. Bonaire is also located outside of the Caribbean’s hurricane zone.

6. Lanzarote 

If you’re travelling from the UK or Western Europe, Lanzarote is the perfect short-haul option. As the Canary Islands are less than 100 miles from the North African coastline, you’ll get plenty of sunshine and low rainfall all year round; Lanzarote is also known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’. From June to October, air temperatures are in the mid-20s, the seas are pleasantly calm and the water temperatures are comfortable. Whilst diving, you can explore dramatic lava formations, caves, drop-offs and shipwrecks. If you’re lucky, you could encounter various cetaceans, but other marine species may include angel sharks, octopus, seahorses and rays.

7. Galapagos 

The unique ecosystems on the Galapagos Islands are nothing short of awe-inspiring and that certainly includes the marine life. Wolf and Darwin Islands regularly top ‘best diving’ lists, and in July whale shark activity is peaking. Whale sharks are just the start though, because as you explore the archipelago’s pristine waters you could encounter hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, eagle and giant oceanic manta rays, endemic Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas and playful sea lions.  

8. Cocos Island

The seamount ‘Bajo Alcyone’, near Cocos Island, is widely regarded as the world’s top destination for hammerhead encounters. Vast shoals are attracted to the nutrient-rich waters, creating a heart-stopping spectacle for divers. After descending to the rocks, you can look up and witness hundreds of hammerheads passing directly overhead. To reach this site, you’ll need to take a liveaboard from Costa Rica. Summer is generally best for marine life encounters, which may also include whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, whale sharks, hawksbill turtle, eagle and manta ray.

9. Sardinia 

Hailed as the Caribbean of Europe, Sardinia’s sparkling and rugged coastline is known for exceptional scuba diving. Beneath the waves, you’ll find an intriguing landscape of caves, corals, sea fans and historic wrecks. During the balmy summer days, the Mediterranean waters are warm and thriving with octopus, pipefish, eels and groupers, but you also have the chance to encounter dolphins, barracudas, Mediterranean bamboo shark and perhaps even sun fish. The best diving opportunities are found at La Maddalena archipelago - a protected national park - and Lavezzi (a marine reserve in southern Corsica which can be reached from Sardinia).

10. Grenada & Carriacou 

Known for exciting drift dives, wrecks, human sculptures and fabulous reefs, this Caribbean treasure offers idyllic diving experiences. Being the Caribbean, this is a fabulous destination to visit at any time of year. However, by travelling in early summer (May or June) you can avoid the peak hurricane season (July to November) and the peak tourist season (December to April). You’ll be able to enjoy gentle currents, warm water, beautiful weather and diverse marine ecosystems, and get great value for money on flights and accommodation.

To book any of our diving holidays, speak to our expert dive team, browse our special offers or search our liveaboard departures.

Contrary to what scuba divers might think, a lot of action underwater happens close to the surface, so snorkellers aren't missing out by not diving, in fact, a whole different underwater world opens up. Reef sharks, dolphins, turtles and colourful reef fish can be seen just as easily when snorkelling and even divers wanting to see whale sharks and dugongs turn to their trusty snorkel for these incredible encounters.

Snorkelling is also a great way to build confidence in the water, which makes it a perfect accessible and affordable activity for all the family, young and old, to enjoy on holiday. So whether you're an avid longtime snorkeller, interested in trying it out as a first step to diving, or want to give snorkelling a go because you love the ocean, dip into Regaldive's guide to our five best places for snorkeling around the world. Embark on your underwater adventure today!

Indonesia

At the heart of the Coral Triangle lies Indonesia, with arguably the richest marine biodiversity in the world and warm waters. Snorkellers are treated in this area with fringing reefs stretching for kilometres right on many resorts' door steps. In Raja Ampat green sea turtles, giant clams, and giant manta rays are commonly spotted in season. The shallow waters provide an excellent home for the reef fish, and hours can be spent in the water over various snorkeling spots. Further south in Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, resorts such as Kalimaya Dive Resort have extensive house reefs with stronger currents allow the coral reefs to thrive and boat trips are available to swim with majestic manta rays.

Ideal for island hopping Bali is a great addition to any itinerary, the northern coast of Tulamben offers Balinese style accommodation and reefs that bustle with tropical fish, macro and marine critters. The wreck of the USAT Liberty is in surprisingly shallow waters, coming up to around five metres, on a clear day the whole 110 metre wreck is visible while snorkelling and is truely a site to behold. To add a taste of culture, a night or two in Ubud promises to deliver as does a sunrise trek up Mount Batur.

Red Sea (Egypt)

Egypt offers a truly unforgettable experience above and below the water. Visitors cannot fail to fall in love with the unique combination of historical and cultural treasures, and the outstanding underwater scenery and abundant marine life here. Egypt's Red Sea offers some of the finest coral reefs and ship wrecks to explore on the planet. It's also the ideal destination for UK holidaymakers with just five hours flying time, excellent value for money, year round sunshine and crystal clear warm waters.

Snorkellers have plenty of choice of Red Sea resorts to get the most out of their holiday. For ease, a resort with a house reef allows you to snorkel just off the beach and many have the option for boat trips further afield if you wish. The majority of resorts that stretch down the Red Sea's entire coastline from Soma Bay all the way to Hamata in the deep south offer excellent fringing reefs and plenty of incredible snorkelling spots in shallow waters directly from the shore, including Safaga, El Quseir, Shams Alam and Marsa Alam. Similarly on the Sinai Peninsula, Dahab is well-known for stunning coral reefs.

The Breakers Diving and Surfing Lodge in Soma Bay has been specially designed for water sports fans and guests can make full use of the hotel's spectacular location right on the water's edge. An incredible turquoise blue lagoon, and one of the most beautiful stretches of house reef along the Egyptian coast lay just metres from your hotel room. An extensive jetty allows you access straight onto the reef in either sheltered waters or on the fringing reefs drop off. Alternatively, in the deep south of Egypt, Hamata’s Lahami Bay Beach Resort house reef is like it has been designed for snorkellers, the several reef systems in the resort's surrounding waters act as defence from the waves and help calm the waters. There's always a protected area to snorkel in while being close to the coral reef system. There's even a few resident dugongs that live in the adjacent bay that many snorkellers see. Travellers have the option to take a day trip by boat to Sataya Reef (Dolphin House) where spinner dolphins are seen reliably.

Mexico

On the Pacific Ocean coast you’ll find the Sea of Cortez, the two separated by the Baja Peninsula, where snorkelling is adrenaline filled! Here sea lions in their hundreds join the Sardine Run of Magdelena Bay. Sailfish, mahi mahi (dorado), and dolphins join the party out at sea whizzing pass you at incredible speeds. If you’re in the right place at the right time a whale could pop up too. Alternatively fevers of rays reaching their hundreds flock to the Sea of Cortez between May and July, at this time orcas and sperm whales are also spotted. These marine and sea life encounters are conducted from liveaboard, many of which are dedicated to snorkellers.

The Caribbean coast of Mexico offers a much more relaxed approach with miles of white sand beaches, an array of cultural attractions and one of the most well-developed tourist infrastructures around. Underwater, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula sits at the very tip of the world's second largest barrier reef. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef stretches south for over 1,000 kilometres, and is considered unique in terms of both its vast length, and its stunning biodiversity with blacktip reef sharks and nurse sharks.

Snorkelling (and diving) is big business in Mexico. In Cozumel, many visitors like to grab their kit and snorkel directly off the beach to spot wonderful and diverse marine life there. If you're serious about your snorkelling, you'll want to go out to the main reefs by boat ride. From June to September, a whale shark safari to Isle Mujeres is highly recommended and offers the once in a lifetime opportunity to snorkel with these gentle giants of the ocean sometimes alongside manta rays, turtles and dolphins.

Visitors to Mexico also have the chance to visit the world famous Cenotes, an underwater tranquil world like no other. The chance to explore this incredible submerged limestone cavern system is one of the reasons scuba diving is popular in the Yucatan Peninsula, but snorkellers are equally well catered for. Float in clear fresh water with up to 50 metres visibility amongst amazing formations of stalagmites and stalactites, exploring underwater caves bathed in sunbeams filtering through the jungle canopy above.

Maldives

The best snorkelling destination in the Indian Ocean are the islands and atolls of the Maldives. If your idea of holiday heaven is trickling powder soft sand through your toes, and venturing beneath the surface todiscover one of the most exciting and exhilarating marine snorkeling destinations on the planet, then the Maldives will definitely meet your needs.

The relative isolation of the Maldives has led to a fabulous variety of marine species. Seasonal oceanic currents through the Indian Ocean push channels of plankton rich waters into and out of the atolls, attracting many pelagics like manta rays, sharks and whale sharks. There's also plentiful smaller fish amidst the beautiful coral gardens and picturesque, sheltered lagoons. Snorkellers should opt for an island with a house reef to get the most out of their holiday. The islands of Ellaidhoo, Filitheyo and Reethi Beach are all encircled by excellent house reefs and provide snorkelling boat rides to outer reefs. House reefs are often home to a variety of marine life including nurse sharks, eagle rays, black tip reef sharks sea turtles and colourful coral. Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa, located in south Ari Atoll is close to the Maldivian Whale Shark National Park, offers one of the largest easily accessible house reefs in the Maldives and both whale sharks and manta rays are often spotted here.

Bonaire

It would be hard to think of a more complete scuba diving and snorkelling destination than the Southern Caribbean island of Bonaire. Bonaire's low-lying geography brings the reef drop-off close to the coastline, making shore entries common. This is ideal for snorkellers, who can enjoy over 90 snorkelling spots, most of which are accessible directly from the shore

Home to the Caribbean Sea's first protected marine park, Bonaire's warm and nutrient-rich waters boast an outstanding marine diversity with more than 300 different fish species. The lack of rain on the ABC islands has led to an impressive underwater visibility which regularly exceeds 30 metres and is particularly excellent for photography. The fringing reef lies close to the shore at usually no more than 10 metres depth, just brimming with colourful fish and incredible marine life. Seahorses, the island's emblem, thrive in Bonaire's waters, alongside the elusive frogfish.

Bonaire is known as the home of activity freedom and taking your own itinerary by the horns. Our holidays include vehicle hire, allowing you to snorkel and explore at their own pace. Many resorts offer additional activities including bicycle hire, kayak tours in the mangroves, and expeditions to see the vibrant flamingos.

Special mentions

Yes, we said we’d give you our five best places to snorkel, but there are two more places we have to mention. Grenada and Lanzarote have underwater sculpture parks designed by Jason deCaires Taylor that are well worth a visit if you are in the area! The Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park and Museo Atlántico include several statuses that attract local fish species and creating new ecosystems, and help prompt conversation on the topic of art, nature, politics and today's society. Within less than 10 metres of water, these underwater sculptures are easily accessible.

For more information about snorkelling holidays, please call the Regaldive Team on 01353 659 999 and we will be happy to help you choose the right destination for you.

Azores

The Azores is made up of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean between Portugal and the USA. It can be reached within four and a half hours from the UK, making it the perfect place for either a long weekend excursion or for a longer scuba diving holiday.

The islands provide a convenient resting place for the world's largest pelagic species including manta rays (technically devil rays) and blue sharks, whilst the underwater arches, tunnels, caves and cliffs provide a haven for sub-tropical fish.

Beaked whales, sperm whales, fin whales, humpbacks, false killer whales, spotted, bottlenose and Risso's dolphins, turtles and more can be spotted from the surface between May and October, whilst diving conditions are best between July and September.

For those looking to delve back into history, the Dori shipwreck near São Miguel additionally offers thrilling wreck diving opportunities.

Where to stay

São Miguel, also known as 'Ilha Verde' or the Green Island, provides a fantastic introduction to the Azores both above and below water. There are direct flights from the UK departing once a week in peak season, making it an appealing and convenient destination. 

We recommend staying at Hotel Caloura, an excellent family-run and stylish hotel with a stunning sea front location, which is just a 20-minute walk from the pretty village of Aqua de Pau on São Miguel. 

Lanzarote

Just a 4-hour flight away from the UK, Lanzarote is an ideal destination for UK divers. The most famous of all the Canary Islands, it combines warm weather and water temperatures between 18°C to 24°C with great dive sites and the convenience of regular flights from most regional UK airports. The crystal clear waters also provide great visibility up to 30 metres, so you can discover the varied marine life living here.

Divers are well catered for in Lanzarote with its collection of reefs, caves and wrecks. The rocks are covered in anemones, sponges and soft corals and are home to a variety of marine life, including grouper, tuna, barracuda, monkfish, moray, octopus, eagle rays and seahorses. At certain times of the year it's also possible to see dolphins including bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins, as well as whales such as sperm whales and pilot whales.

Where to stay

Stay at the Labranda El Dorado for a comfortable base just a short walk from the Playa Chica beach where our partner dive centre is based. This attractive and spacious apartment complex was a previous Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice award winner and has two pool areas and beautiful gardens, making it the perfect base for a diving trip.

Divers have access to the best dive sites Lanzarote has to offer from here, and the bay is suitable for both beginners and more experienced divers, making it an ideal destination for those looking to improve their diving skills.

Malta & Gozo

A perennial favourite with Regaldive guests, Malta and Gozo boast some of the best scuba diving in the Mediterranean with a range of shore and boat dive sites. With great visibility, warm water temperatures, and striking underwater scenery including caves, overhangs and swim-throughs, Malta offers diving for all abilities from beginners to technical divers. A well-established infrastructure offers a variety of activities for non-diving partners too.

Malta's amazing underwater volcanic topography is a highpoint, and the island's history has led to an impressive collection of ship, plane and submarine wrecks that have really put Malta on the map. 

Topside, there's plenty to explore in the World Heritage City of Valetta and a guided boat trip around its impressive series of interconnected harbours is a must. The beautiful 'Silent City' of Mdina is also well worth a visit – make sure you stop off at the Fontanella Tea Room, where you can sit beside the castle battlements and take in the stunning views, whilst enjoying your drink of choice.

Smaller than Malta, Gozo is one of the few remaining unspoilt Mediterranean islands and a haven for divers. Arches and tunnels have been carved out of the coastline and offer divers endless points of interest around its 43-kilometre coastline of natural rugged beauty and great underwater visibility.

Where to stay

Designed with divers in mind, the Maltese Sands Apartments are just 100m from Maltaqua Dive Centre and include a spacious wet room for washing and storing dive equipment. Although situated on a quiet street away from the main road, you'll remain in walking distance of shops, restaurants, cinema, banks and the St. Paul's Bay promenade.

Sardinia

Located off the western coast of Italy, Sardinia is an accessible island in a great location, with regular direct flights as short as two and a half hours from the UK available. Known for its beautiful coastline, white sandy beaches, wonderful weather, colourful history and exceptional scuba diving, this mountainous island offers a variety of experiences for both divers and non-divers.

Just a stone's throw away from the north-eastern coast of Sardinia is the La Maddalena archipelago, a collection of 60 islands offering world-class diving amongst huge granite boulders featuring drop-offs, overhangs and swim throughs. There are 40 dive sites to explore here with many opportunities to improve or show off your diving skills, and for those seeking a thrilling adventure, the wrecks of the Angelika or remnants of a World War II bomber offer fantastic wreck diving opportunities 

Rich in marine life, divers are likely to encounter an extensive range of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods in the waters around Sardinia including moray eel, stonefish, barracuda, grouper, octopus, lobster and nudibrach.

Where to stay

Wonderfully located on the northern-east coast of Sardinia next to Palau's marina, the stylish 4-star La Vecchia Fonte Hotel is perfectly situated for a scuba diving holiday in the waters around Sardinia, the La Maddalena archipelago and even the southern parts of nearby Corsica. The town of Palau has delightful restaurants, friendly locals and is surrounded by picturesque olive groves. 

Egypt (Mid-haul)

Although technically not considered a short haul diving destination, Egypt is certainly worth a mention on this list for those willing to travel an extra hour. With direct flights departing the UK multiple times a week from a variety of UK airports and landing in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh only five hours later, Egypt offers an easy reach diving holiday and a mighty fine one at that! 

Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam offer perfect access points to the Red Sea, a truly unforgettable scuba diving destination attracting thousands of visitors every year due to its unique combination of spectacular marine life, welcoming climate and stunning scenery. 

Boasting vibrant coral reefs, wrecks, famous dive sites, large pelagic species and colourful fish, the Red Sea is excellent for a variety of different diving holidays. You could consider diving with harmless whale sharks, silky sharks or thresher sharks, going wall, drift or wreck diving in El Gouna, or diving amongst eagle rays, barracuda and turtles in Soma Bay.

Where to stay

At Regaldive we offer over 35 hotels in ten Egyptian Red Sea resorts and an extensive range of liveaboard options to suit different tastes. Whichever destination you choose for your Red Sea scuba diving holiday, you'll have a great combination of superb diving, beach relaxation and cultural discovery.  

Bon voyage!

Whichever destination you choose, you can be sure of a world-class diving holiday, starting with a warm welcome and flight times that won't test your powers of endurance. Bon voyage!

For help with planning your next diving adventure, call the friendly Regaldive team on 01353 659 999 or send us an email

A vast choice of caverns, blue holes, lush coral gardens, infinite walls and wrecks, both historical and artificial, mean that the Bahamas is one of the most complete dive destinations on the planet. There is something here for all divers, coupled with diverse marine life including all manner of sharks, dolphins, turtles, masses of schooling reef fish, and Bahamian national fish, the Nassau Grouper.

The Bahamas has earned a global reputation as a premier shark diving destination, particularly around Bimini. Unlike fleeting glimpses of sharks in other locations, encounters here are often intimate and prolonged. Divers can expect close-up experiences with Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, bull sharks, great hammerheads, tiger sharks, and even elusive oceanic white-tips, often seen near wrecks or in the company of wild dolphins.

Resort Diving in the Bahamas

With great all year round diving conditions, the Bahamas is ideal for those looking to combine excellent diving and snorkelling with relaxing on beautiful beaches and a variety of attractions topside. International tourist hub Nassau, capital of the Bahamas, is a natural starting point for a Bahamas holiday and offers an amazing variety of diving within an hour’s boat ride from the island.

Nassau’s vibrant culture is more than matched below water with spectacular coral walls close to shore and pretty reefs teeming with life, large and small. The eponymous Shark Wall, which drops from 10m to an incredible 2km or more, is a highlight, as are an enormous selection of wrecks. Here you can dive everything from historical cutters to artificially-sunk freighters, a make-believe Vulcan bomber and a twin Cessna used as underwater film sets in James Bond, Jaws and many other movies.

Liveaboard diving in the Bahamas

The variety of diving and atmosphere of the different islands makes the Bahamas an ideal liveaboard destination or equally good for those wanting to discover more of the country on a twin centre holiday. Regaldive offer seven to ten night trips on-board the comfortable liveaboard Bahamas Aggressor which sails out of Nassau and explores the beautiful Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and Freeport for Tiger Beach.

The Exumas are a 120-mile long island chain of 350 scenic small islands and cays which offer blue holes, swim throughs and incredible wall dives in the deep channels that separate the land mass. With up to five dives a day, divers will have plenty of opportunity to explore the crystal-clear aquamarine waters, thick with coral reefs alive with every imaginable ocean critter.

We also offer special summer trips aboard various liveaboards that embark in Freeport and visit the remote areas around the West End of Grand Bahama Island and the famous Tiger Beach, considered to be one of the world’s greatest shark dive spots. The exciting Tiger Beach itinerary offers the chance to encounter tiger and lemon sharks in large numbers, as well as nurse sharks, reef sharks, dolphins and numerous smaller species for a truly unforgettable dive holiday.

To find out more, call our expert team on 01353 659999 for a chat and a tailormade holiday quotation, or contact our team today!

Our Regaldive experts have an extensive range of diving knowledge and travel experience between them that spans the globe, so come by and let us inspire your next dive trip.

This exciting diving show is innovative and interactive, with a range of high-profile speakers, multiple stages devoted to different diving disciplines and various diving challenges and experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting out, this show should have something for everyone.

We also have a brilliant selection of deals, offers and savings available exclusively for the GO Diving show… so come by our stand and save!

What’s more, we're also hosting an incredible free prize draw on our stand! Enter to win dive equipment supplied by Mike’s Dive Store and Scubapro worth over £3,000! To be in with a chance of winning this brilliant prize, come along to stand 820 at the GO Diving show this weekend.

For more information and our full selection of incredible deals, savings and offers, come along to stand 820 at the GO Diving Show next weekend!!  

The name bull shark comes from the short, blunt snout and their strange inclination to charge (head-butt) their pray before attaching. At over three metres in length and thick bodies, bull sharks sightings in Playa del Carmen are a true diving highlight of the area. These, mostly female and usually solitary, apex predators come together to what is understood to be a breeding ground for the sharks. 

At this time of year, the weather is usually at its calmest and the cloud level is minimal, both of which make it an ideal time to dive the Cenotes and Cozumel. Playa del Carmen is an excellent base for exploring the Yucatán Peninsula and is a more affordable and accessible area compared to other bull shark experiences global.

Diving with bull sharks is only possible on special trips, which are organised by highly trained instructors to ensure the utmost safety and environmental responsibility. Divers on these trips also take part in a special education programme and need to have a minimum certification of advanced plus 25 logged dives. Two local check dives must be undertaken prior to the bull shark diving trip.

If you’re interested in joining a bull shark adventure, please contact us for more details of our Mexico dive holidays. 

Thanks to our partners in Mexico for this amazing video!

With more and more families looking to dive and travel together this open up many destinations for your next vacation, scuba diving holidays have never been more accessible. We understand that each family’s requirements are different and whether you’re all divers, or you’re the only one with gills, or it will be your children's first time, and they're begging to learn, this helpful guide we’ll talk through our top destinations for family diving holidays, so you can spend time with your family and exploring the underwater world!

Malta

Short haul is often preferred, especially when travelling with younger children. Many are looking for a family friendly holiday that's good value for money, has a swimming pool and ideally a Kids' Club. Hotels with either family rooms or adjoining rooms and plenty of meal choices are key.

Doubletree by Hilton in Malta ticks these boxes for many families. It's also near Maltaqua Dive Centre who pick up from the hotel each day, if there are a handful of divers in your family then this allows you to be in a prime location night and day while having family friendly facilities.

Flights to Malta are daily from Heathrow and Gatwick and options from regional airports too, with a flight time of just three hours and short transfers on arrival, it's much easier to keep the children entertained! Perfect for a summer holiday.

Red Sea

Another family favourite if you can't wait until summer is the Red Sea, five hours flight from the UK this mid-haul destination is a popular choice for getting your first taste of the underwater world. Providing guaranteed sunshine almost all year round in Egypt, both the Sheraton Resort Soma Bay and the Jaz Fayrouz Sharm El Sheikh Resort tick all the boxes for a great family holiday. Both are facilitated by excellent dive centres who have experience teaching kids, ensuring each student is given the time to practice and to learn to scuba dive safely while in a fun environment.

Image by Mohamed Abdei Hady

Sheraton Resort Soma Bay is an excellent destination for some winter sun (February half-term or the Easter Holidays) with first class facilities at the dive centre just a few steps away. The stunning beach extends out to a spit, providing a shelter area ideal for the kids to take their first breaths underwater. This luxury resort also caters for the non-divers in your family, with an onsite spa and kids club, in addition to a kite surfing facility nearby. In the great scuba diving destination Sharm, there are daily pick up for the scuba divers staying at Jaz Fayrouz, and the rest of the family can play at the kids' clubs, in the many swimming pools all while staying in rooms that accommodate the whole family. Combine that with short transfer times and weekend flights, so no need for days off school, and all of our ideals on the family wish list have been ticked!

The Red Sea also have a number of liveaboards (a dive boat you stay on for the duration of your holiday) that are able to cater to scuba diving families. Once qualified, grab the kids and set sail for the open sea, discovering some of the best dive sites the Red Sea has to offer. Generally, liveaboards have an age limit of 15 (due to the depth limit restrictions of Junior Open Water). It's possible to conduct courses while on board, including progressing to Advanced Open Water or learning to dive with Nitrox. Contact us to find out more about a Red Sea liveaboard holiday for your family.

Thailand

A families holiday with added exploration, Thailand offers great diving and affordable accommodation in a beautiful area of the world! The warm seasonal waters make for an excellent winter get away with guaranteed sun and fun over the Christmas holidays, February half-term or even Easter.

Although classed as long haul, the total travel time from the UK to Phuket is from 17 hours, tolerable for older children. Transfer time to hotels are between 30 minutes and two hours, it's definitely in reach for adventurous families. Accommodation ranges from simple, ideal for full scuba diving families where the focus is the water, to luxury for those looking for a mixture of activities over their holiday. In Khao Lak the X10 Resort has a dedicated family wing, kid’s club, multiple swimming pools, direct beach access and a baby sitting service, keeping everyone happy throughout your visit. The scuba diving is suitable for all skill levels, and with a variety of marine life including turtles, mantas, and colourful corals even the experienced diver in the family will have an amazing time.  

Maldives

The Maldives is a well-known destination in the Indian Ocean for experienced divers, but it's actually a wonderful place for beginners and all the family to explore.

Maldivian Resorts are fully geared up to keep your family entertained, both in and out of the water. Many hotels offer a kid’s club, baby sitting service, tennis courts, spas, alongside both motorised and non-motorised water activities. Larger resorts such as Vilamendhoo have multiple dining options and activities planned throughout the day. The island resorts have shallow, sheltered lagoons where the family can learn to scuba dive in a stress-free environment. These protected waters also provide a safe area to play and snorkel with the marine life on the vibrant house reef.

Dedicated Maldives liveaboard departures specially for families provide an extra special holiday for travellers of all ages. These visit suitable sites for children and adults looking to take their first breath underwater, and for junior open water divers who have restricted depth limits. Instructors are available to teach a variety of courses during the sailing. Other activities such as snorkelling and kayaking are also available. Discovering the Maldivian atolls in a safe environment opens up a myriad of marine creatures including manta rays, nurse sharks, turtles and more!

Philippines

Ready to suit up and jet set to the Coral Triangle? The Philippines is a world-class diving destination that your scuba family will talk about for years. Although the longest travel time of the choices previously listed, this year round destination will reward you for your efforts. Accessible from Manila, without any additional domestic flights, is Puerto Galera where the fantastic Atlantis Resort hosts family weeks. This includes discounts when you travel with children, including them stay and dive completing free! These weeks not only allow you to save money but also means there are guaranteed for other families to be there too, what’s better than making global scuba friends to plan the next adventure with?!

Our team are on hand to discuss your family’s requirements. Browse our junior diving courses, or for more information about family holidays, please call the Regaldive Team on 01353 659 999, or pop us an email, and we will be happy to help you choose the right destination for you.

The Egyptian Red Sea offers a truly unforgettable experience both above and below water. Enjoy the area’s unique combination of spectacular marine life, world-class diving, pleasant climate and stunning scenery. Head to the world-famous dive sites of Sharm El Sheikh, jump on one of our brilliant liveaboards or take a look at our excellent selection of resorts.

Example of savings

• Dive Ras Mohammed National Park, reefs & wrecks from £779pp
• Dive South & St Johns from £1,011pp
• Dive Sharm el Sheikh from £1,165pp
• Dive El Gouna from £1,295pp
• Dive Marsa Alam from £1,295pp
• Dive Soma Bay from £1,345pp

Terms & Conditions

• Please quote RSFEB25 at the time of your enquiry.
• Spend £750 or above and save £75, and when spending over £1,200 you can save £100!
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View all our Red Sea resort holidays or our liveaboard holidays. To find out more, contact our expert Dive team.

Maldives

A renowned romantic getaway for some but a sensational scuba diving destination for us.

From 5-star luxury resorts and an increasing number of affordable options we’re confident we have a diving holiday to the Maldives that suits your budget. Manta ray encounters are common throughout the year, but there are certain areas which offer more reliable sightings especially when more plankton is present in the waters. One such area is the southern Ari Atoll. Vilamendhoo Island Resort has been a firm favourite over the years with its spectacular house reef just a few fin kicks away from the sun kissed beaches. In the later half of the year, mantas are often seen nearby. Built by divers, for divers, Boutique Beach offers an incredible diving experience for all. Mantas are regularly seen feeling in the lagoon and at the cleaning station at Rangali in the first few months of the year.

Perhaps you’d like to escape dry land altogether in which case you could hop on a liveaboard. We feature a selection of boats operating interesting itineraries throughout the Maldives visiting the best sites in season. Look out for itineraries such as ‘Pelagic Magic’ and Hanifaru & North’ where manta ray encounters are high on the agenda. Along with whale sharks, majestic mantas aggregate in Hanifaru Bay for the annual feeding frenzy (July to October). Encounters here are snorkelling only, but there are multiple cleaning stations nearby, so divers get the best of both! Learn more about our Maldives liveaboards and their itineraries here.

No matter how you choose to visit the Maldives, we’re confident that it provides one of the best opportunities to see mantas (particularly reef mantas) in the world. 

Socorro

Image by Mat Howell

As diving destinations go, they don’t get much more remote than this! As long as you can stomach the 36-hour sea crossing, mantas (very big oceanic ones!) are as good as guaranteed in the waters around the islands that have become dubbed the ‘Galapagos of Mexico’.

Not only are the encounters almost guaranteed, from personal experience we can tell you that the giant Pacific mantas seem to enjoy interacting with divers at Socorro. I’d be very surprised if you did not come home telling stories of how one flew just inches over your head…again…and again!

Liveaboard diving only is the order of the day at Socorro and due to the potentially challenging conditions it’s recommended for advanced divers. We feature the two most reputable operators in the region; The Nautilus Fleet and the Pacific Fleet (Solmar V).

More than mantas, you can expect to see up to 10 different species of sharks and at the right time of year and if you’re very lucky indeed - even humpback whales! Socorro remains one of the best diving trips I’ve had the pleasure of taking and I’m sure you wouldn’t be disappointed either.

Find out more about diving in Socorro.

Galapagos

Image by Humboldt Explorer

The destination itself is synonymous with the expression ‘bucket list’. We don’t think we've ever met a single diver who does not dream of visiting the Galapagos someday; an undeniable mecca when it comes to pelagic encounters and much like Socorro, you can be almost guaranteed sightings of manta rays especially from December to May, in season.

Also, like Socorro, it’s more than ‘just’ mantas on the menu when you take to the water during this warmer season. Walls of scalloped hammerhead sharks are often sighted in their hundreds and several species of rays and sharks are seen around the islands. The marine life here is incredible and often unique. Spotting penguins and marine iguanas is also possible. We can’t leave without mentioning the other ‘gentle giants’ of our oceans. Some of the largest recorded whale sharks are seen up at Wolf and Darwin from June to November.

For divers, the best way to experience the Galapagos Islands is by liveaboard. The Humboldt Explorer spends four days at Wolf and Darwin and a dive at Cousins Rock, where mantas and devil rays are regularly seen. We feature five liveaboards in the Galapagos, all offering their own unique and memorable diving itinerary to suit a range of budgets. If you can stay longer, there's opportunity to extend your stay in resort to experience the topside wildlife too.

View all our Galapagos liveaboards.

Indonesia

Diving opportunities with manta rays amongst the tropical islands of Indonesia are numerous. Lying at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the marine biodiversity is second to none. This makes it one of the most popular destinations for divers to visit, time and time again. The upwelling of nutrient rich water provides perfect feeding grounds and it’s at the cleaning stations nearby where divers have the best encounters. Both reef and oceanic manta rays are seen throughout the vast archipelago, but never together.

The most popular manta encounters in Raja Ampat are best visited by liveaboard during the months from November to March, but there are several areas nearby to resorts too. Oceanic mantas are regularly seen at ‘Blue Magic’ and 'Magic Mountain’ during these months. Both species can be seen throughout the year in Komodo National Park with numbers increasing with the plankton blooms. The most iconic site being ‘Manta Alley’, but there are others too. The region is best explored by liveaboard or from the comfort of a resort such as the spacious seafront Komodo Resort or Kalimaya Dive Resort. Click here to find out more about liveaboards in Indonesia.

There are other locations in Indonesia where you can encounter these enigmatic creatures. For those who like to get away from the world and seek big fish encounters, head to Derawan off the east coast of Kalimantan. The sites of Sangalaki Island are synonymous for manta ray encounters and there are plenty of other sites where pelagic encounters are commonplace. In addition, there are two sites off the coast of Bali where divers can observe mantas, namely at ‘Manta Point’ off Nusa Penida where a black manta is often seen at the cleaning station.

Find out more about diving locations throughout Indonesia .

Azores

A little closer to home, the islands of the Azores are renowned for their seasonal pelagic encounters. The seamounts and dive sites such as Ambrosio (from Santa Maria island) attract devil rays in large numbers as they come to feed from June to October. Little is known about these shy and elusive creatures, but sicklefin and spinetail devil rays are often seen, as well as oceanic mantas; all members of the mobulid family.

Diving experiences in the Azores are suited to all. The volcanic topography provides homes for sub-tropical fish species and dramatic photographic shots. The seamounts provide a resting place for a variety of pelagic species and several species of whale can be seen on organised excursions (rare to see them underwater). In addition, each island has its own topside characteristics, making the Azores a great twin centre / island hopping destination.

Find out more about diving and topside adventures in the Azores. 

These are just five of the top destinations in the world for mobulid (manta and devil rays) encounters for divers, but there are of course many more places for you to consider. Some of these destinations attract fewer people, in some part due to the difficulty, time and/or cost to reach but they should not be ruled out. Yap in Micronesia is one such example, the Yasawa Islands of Fiji another. Recent legislation has provided protection for the reef and oceanic mantas in Mozambique. There’s a small population being researched near Alphonse Island in the Seychelles, and of course don't forget the famous night dive off Big Island in Hawaii.

If you’ve yet to share the water with the majesty that is a manta or devil ray, or if you’ve seen them dozens upon dozens of times, we believe you’ll never grow tired of such an incredible and memorable experience. Have a chat with our experienced team to discuss your options. Let’s get you back in the water for a mobulid encounter or two!

For those who are interested in learning more...

The Manta Trust plays a significant role in research and conservation as well as protecting rays throughout the world. They have projects in several destinations featured by Regaldive. Learn more about the mobulid family and the fantastic work of the Manta Trust.