Short Haul Diving Holidays

Looking for a world-class diving destination that will be as kind on your time as it will your wallet? Then look no further than our choice of short haul diving holidays. These easy reach diving destinations are ideal for those seeking a good budget option, those travelling with non-divers and families, and those who prefer shorter flight times combined with the convenience of departures from many regional UK airports.

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