John told us:

It was certainly great to be back in Egypt after a break of a couple of years and back in Marsa Alam for the first time since 2009. Bookings for Egypt are picking up again and it was nice to see the flight to Marsa was just about full. A friendly face was waiting in the arrivals hall, Regaldive's Rep, Ramadan. He's there to help all Regal's guests with the visa process and show you to your transportation. 

It's only 10 minutes from the Airport to the Marina Lodge, our location for the week. The resort is on the quieter side of Port Ghalib, overlooking the marina and with the Emperor dive centre on site, it's perfect. Marina Lodge is small and friendly, so it's ideal for divers.

I'd met some of the staff from Emperor on my last visit, but there were many new faces too. A very friendly team there, so it soon felt that I had known them all for ages. 

Diving with Emperor is mainly day boat diving, similar to how you may have dived from Sharm and Hurghada, so it's very relaxed, with a comfortable and hopefully calm transit to all of the dive sites. After the usual boat and dive briefings, we started with a nice easy dive, after a quick weight check.  It didn’t take long to get re-acquainted with the lovely reefs in the area, but the highlight of the first day was diving with a Dugong, the first time for me. It’s taken a while, but I’m glad to finally tick it off the list.

The second day involved a special trip, to the iconic Elphinstone Reef. An early start is required, as it’s 6 miles offshore, but we were served a tasty and filling breakfast on the boat. Conditions on the surface were a bit more challenging than the local sites, but once in the water things calmed down to a gentle drift. Big stuff turning up is a bit less likely at this time of year, but there’s plenty of reef fish and beautiful soft corals to help make it worth the trip.

The next day's diving was also a supplementary trip, South to Samadai, otherwise known as Dolphin House. This is the home to a pod of Spinner Dolphins that sleep and rest there during the day. It’s not possible to dive with them and the snorkelling is carefully controlled to avoid disturbance. The dives are conducted on the sloping reefs and pinnacles on the outside of the horseshoe shaped reef.  Only a quick glimpse of the Dolphins took place on this occasion, but that is nature, I’ve been lucky enough to have some close encounters on my previous two visits. But, as compensation, we did have a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins riding the bow wave of the boat on the way home.

My last days diving with Emperor was in a calm bay called Shoni Kober, just south of Port Ghalib. lovely reefs with the usual suspects in profusion. The highlight of the day was the second dive which brought us five huge Green Turtles, some swimming towards the Sea Grass for a snack, others just resting and sleeping. They seem oblivious to divers and you can get nice and close. One even almost bumped into my buddy who only turned to see him at the last moment and had a shock to see a huge Turtle just two feet away! 

It was so nice to get back to diving in Egypt and I’d like to thank Emperor Divers, particularly Tracy, for their great service and some lovely diving.  

If you have the chance to visit Marsa Alam, I'm sure that you'll enjoy some great diving!

Marsa Alam is the gateway to the exciting Southern Red Sea and its myriad pristine reefs. Once the sole preserve of liveaboard boats, this area is now accessible directly from the shore. This is virgin diving away from the crowds at its very best.

Regaldive offer various accommodation options in Marsa Alam to suit a wide range of budgets. For more information, please visit our Marsa Alam accommodation details.

To find out more about diving in Marsa Alam, please call the Regaldive team on 01353 659999.

The new additions are: Fiji Aggressor, Thailand Aggressor and Oman Aggressor, as well as sister boats based in Palau: Rock Islands Aggressor and Palau Aggressor II.

Fiji Aggressor is a 30 metre yacht built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. Accommodating 10 guests, accommodation includes four deluxe staterooms with a double and single berth and one owner’s stateroom with a queen bed. Fiji Aggressor offers a 7 night itinerary encompassing the dive highlights of incredible Fiji: ‘Gau, Makongi, Namena and Wakaya Islands’.

A new addition to the Aggressor fleet, the 45 metre Oman Aggressor is a spacious steel yacht built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. All staterooms and the interior of the yacht are new and have a stylish design. Her comfortable accommodation for 22 guests includes 11 spacious staterooms. Commencing in November 2017, Oman Aggressor will offer four unique itineraries known as ‘The Jewels of Oman’. 

The Rock Islands Aggressor and Palau Aggressor II are sister ships. Each vessel is 32 metres long, built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. There is comfortable accommodation for up to 18 guests in eight deluxe cabins and one double cabin. Both 7 and 10 day ‘Best of Palau’ itineraries are offered on either vessel.

Call the Regaldive team on 01353 659999 to book your next diving adventure.

Muscat is a great base from which to explore Oman and offers a variety of diving opportunities both out of the city itself, and from the resorts which are located further down the coast to the south of the capital. The diving here is characteristic of Omani waters: plankton-rich, which attracts large fish stocks and pelagics, but means visibility is usually around 10m. Stunning coral-covered walls and a general lack of current means plenty of time to spot marine life including lots of turtles, rays, various shark species and the occasional whale shark.

Oman Sail dive centre offers boat diving to a range of dive sites. The proximity of the centre to the famous sites at the Daymaniyat Islands, make this an ideal base for exploring these sites. The Damaniyat Islands’ large unspoiled reefs host a wealth of sea life unparalleled in the region. On average, the exotic waters around Oman offer a wonderful visibility of 20 to 30 metres.

Shallow coral reefs teem with around 1,300 - 1,500 different species; leatherback sea turtles paddle just beneath the surface, and you may even be lucky enough to observe the magnificent whale shark. Considered to be ‘the’ Damaniyat Islands dive specialists, SeaOman's PADI certified instructors and dive masters have in-depth knowledge of each one of its 29 dive sites, ensuring that each trip into Oman’s underwater paradise feels like the adventure of a lifetime.

Day boats depart around 9.00am and return at around 3.00pm with travelling time to the Daymaniyat Islands around 1 hour. FREE nitrox is available.

Millennium Resort Mussanah is a luxurious resort located in the South Batinah Region of Muscat, along the coastal beach of the Gulf of Oman, offering spacious and comfortable accommodation, a notable spa and a wide range of leisure facilities. Located between Barka and Sohar, the resort is 45 minutes’ drive from Muscat International Airport. The Millennium Resort Mussanah will appeal to divers and visitors who are looking for a high standard of accommodation, along with a wide range of facilities in a Beach Resort hotel. The resort has been designed to provide exceptional comfort and service within a memorable blend of Arabian and Asian themes. The panoramic views over the resort's private 54 berth marina, the Gulf of Oman and the Hajar Mountains are a particular highlight.

To find out more, call our friendly team on 01353 659999, or visit: Millennium Resort Mussanah

We have just added even more terrific deals to our liveaboard selections for you. We are also giving you a chance to Win a Ski Trip to France for Two when you book your diving holiday with Regaldive by 28 February 2017. 

There are further savings on some products, including some amazing offers on liveaboards available NOW!

Example Savings:

LIVEABOARD TRIPS: SAVE UP TO £1,476PP

• SAVE up to £736pp on Bahamas liveaboards
• SAVE up to £223pp on Caribbean liveaboards
• SAVE up to £1,045pp on Cocos Island Liveaboards
• SAVE up to £596pp on Fijian liveaboards
• SAVE up to £1,476pp on Galapagos liveaboards
• SAVE up to £1,145pp on Indonesian liveaboards
• SAVE up to £530pp on Maldives liveaboards
• SAVE up to £786pp on Oman Liveaboards
• SAVE up to £870pp on Palau liveaboards
• SAVE up to £325pp on Philippines liveaboards
• SAVE up to £150pp on Red Sea liveaboards 
• SAVE up to £600pp on Sudan liveaboards
• SAVE up to £746pp on Thailand Liveaboards
• SAVE up to £693pp on Truk Lagoon liveaboards

Our February Savings  are available from 16-24 February 2017 only. Enquire today to benefit from these terrific savings!

* For February Sale Terms and Conditions, please see here

GREAT SAVINGS ON RED SEA DIVE PACKS iN MARSA ALAM & EL GOUNA

Regaldive are also offering a great range of Dive Pack Offers with Emperor Divers including:-

• Marsa Alam Buy 5 days’ boat diving (10 dives) for just £164 
• El Gouna Buy 5 days’ boat diving (10 dives) for just £164

Valid for diving taken from:

• 1 March 2017 to 31 August 2017 and 
• 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2017

5 Day Dive Pack Offers are only available for new bookings made from 16 February 2017.

Save on Diving and Accommodation Packages with MERCURE Manado, Indonesia - Save up to £154pp 

Great savings of up to £154 per person are now available on dive trips to Indonesia staying at Mercure Manado Tateli Beach Resort.  

• 7 Night Stay at Mercure Manado Tateli Beach Resort including 6 days' boat diving, full board & transfers
  Was £769pp Now £692pp - SAVE UP TO £77
• 10 Night Combo Trip: Twin Centre staying at Mercure Manado Tateli Beach Resort including 9 days' boat diving, full board & transfers
  Was £1,292pp Now £1,172pp - SAVE UP TO £120

Flights are not included but may be booked through Regaldive. Valid for stays taken by 31 December 2017. Book by 10 March 2017.

Call us on 01353 659999 or email us for a quote TODAY

Win a Ski Holiday to France for Two People!

Book your diving holiday with Regaldive in February 2017 and you will be entered into our competition to win an exciting 7 Night Ski Holiday to France for two people. 

This fabulous seven night prize** is worth up to £2,250 and is based on two people sharing one room at Xtra Chalet Le Curling, Espace Killy Ski Area, Tignes, flights from the UK, transfers and lift passes, courtesy of Regaldive’s sister company Inghams, the ski & snowboard holiday experts. 

So, if you are a diver with an interest in skiing, or if you fancy learning to ski, this is the one for you!

** Please see our blog article for further details, including Terms and Conditions

RED SEA – DIVE PACK SAVINGS with emperor divers

5 DAY DIVE PACK OFFER:

• Marsa Alam Buy 5 days’ boat diving (10 dives) for just £164 
• El Gouna Buy 5 days’ boat diving (10 dives) for just £164

Boat diving includes 2 dives per day with guide, tanks, weights, weight belt, transfers to/from your hotel, all port fees and surcharges. 

Valid for diving taken from:

• 1 March 2017 to 31 August 2017 and 
• 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2017

These offers are only available for new bookings made from 1-24 February 2017.

BOOK TODAY to benefit from these great savings. 

Call the Regaldive team on 01353 659999 to book your next diving adventure.

Situated 22km south of Safaga, Coral Sun Beach Resort is a spacious hotel with plenty of amenities located on the southern end of a long sandy beach by the beautiful Gassous Bay. The resort provides a relaxing stay with superb views over the bay and to the western mountains. Gassous Bay offers a fabulous house reef; ideal for both divers and snorkelers.

Coral Sun Beach has 110 well-designed, comfortable and spacious rooms, spread over three floors. All rooms offer air conditioning, a mini-bar, satellite TV, hairdryer and safe. Room options include Garden View, Sea & Pool View and Sea View.

Safaga offers some exceptional diving and is still relatively undiscovered.  Tucked in just south of Hurghada, 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.

Despite the area’s reputation for exciting wall diving, Safaga is also a good choice for novice divers. Several reefs are situated just 30 minutes boat ride away and offer several sheltered spots ideal for beginners.

As divers head further away from the coast, Safaga offers more challenging and breath-taking sites where the diving is concentrated primarily on three areas: Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan, or ‘the deep one’.  Abu Kafan is probably the most spectacular dive site in Safaga with stunning, sheer walls plummeting towards the seafloor hundreds of metres below.

Wreck enthusiasts are often drawn to Safaga to visit the Salem Express, an Egyptian passenger ferry that sank on its return journey from Mecca in 1991. This is a stunning site, but a dive that is generally considered one for reflection, rather than pleasure.

To find out more, please call our friendly team on 01353 659999, or send us an email.

New Hotel: Palm Garden Resort Phuket

The Palm Garden Resort Phuket is located in the south-eastern area around Chalong in a peaceful tropical garden. The Resort is just 5 minutes' walk from Sea Bees Dive Centre and a short walk from the new pier, the bay and many shops. The Thai style bungalows of the Palm Garden Resort are ideal for a relaxing stay. 

Nearby Chalong is home to the primary yacht marina and is the starting point for most diving and boat tours in Phuket. South of Phuket there are a number of excellent dive sites scattered over an area that incorporates the islands of Koh Phi Phi, Racha Yai and Racha Noi. These dive sites are accessible by day boat from Phuket. 

Two New Liveaboards out of Phuket

The Similan Islands are located 100km Northwest of Phuket and are best dived by joining a liveaboard out of Phuket. With snow-white beaches set against picturesque granite outcrops above the water and spectacular dive sites in often crystal clear water below, it is not surprising that the Similan Islands are ranked as one of the finest dive destinations in the world. 

The 26 metre steel, mono-hulled MY Genesis 1 liveaboard comfortably accommodates up to 12 divers in 5 twin bed cabins and 2 single cabins. MY Genesis 1 offers 2 night and 5 night itineraries to take in the best diving of the Similan Islands and the north. Divers can make the most of these nine islands and the unique, worldwide recognised dive sites that surround them. Free Nitrox is available on board.

The 23 metre MV Marco Polo liveaboard comfortably accommodates up to 14 divers in twin cabins. The MV Marco Polo offers a 6 night itinerary to some of the best dive spots the Andaman Sea has to offer. The MV Marco Polo regularly tours wildlife-rich dive sites around the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, the spectacular coral gardens of Koh Tachai and the renowned Richelieu Rock.

To find out more, please call our friendly team on 01353 659999, or send us an email.

John shares his Socorro Islands trip report with us here:

There are times when all of us will realise that we have witnessed something very special indeed. One of those times for me was my recent trip to The Revillagigedo Islands, 250 miles into the Pacific off the west coast of Mexico. The name might not mean too much to you, don't worry I don't know how to pronounce it either, so they are more often referred to by the name of one of the four islands, Socorro. 

Now, like a lot of locations where we divers want to get away from the rest of the non-diving world, they do take a bit of getting to. It started with a flight from the UK to the tip of the Baja peninsula, via Mexico City, which was overnight, so no worse than getting to other worthwhile places, like Indonesia. After an overnight in a harbourside hotel, I joined the Nautilus Under Sea, my home for the next eight nights. It proved to be a very comfortable boat with a friendly and knowledgeable crew. I was very happy as it had great food too!

The journey to the islands takes about 24 hours, so all of the first night and all of the following day, so there was plenty of time to get to know my 13 companions for the week. But that's what makes it so attractive. These are uninhabited islands (apart from a small Mexican Navy outpost), with no hotels and no airport, so only divers can go there! 

The first dive was at The Canyon, at our first island, San Benedicto. We all knew straight away that it was going to be a great week for sharks, as we saw four different species on that first dive, Silkies, Whitetips, a couple of Silvertips and a lone Hammerhead patrolling the reef edge. Not bad for a check dive!

We were all pretty pleased that the crossing had been nice and calm. This meant that we also could make another, shorter, transit to an even more remote location, Roca Partida. Just a lump of rock sticking out of the ocean, 300 miles from the mainland. Not much to look at above the water, with no vegetation and white with bird deposits, but its beauty lies beneath. The rock continues almost vertically downwards for about 80 metres, it's like diving an underwater church spire. After we descended to about 25 metres we got our first glimpse of two huge Manta Rays heading our way, they came in nice and close and demanded our attention for at least 20 minutes of our dive. Luckily for us, we were the only boat at Roca that day, so did three further dives. In all, four dives on the same site in one day, but every one was different. The second we came very close to Whitetips on the ledges, resting in packs of eight or 10. Then, what I'd been waiting for, my first look at a Galapagos Shark, well three actually, circling with a huge school of Jacks. That's the 28th species of shark I've seen, so I'm really pleased another one has been added to my list.

After an overnight return to the main islands, we awoke to find ourselves moored at Socorro itself. It's a lot greener than the previous two islands, as its volcanic activity was a lot further in the past. After a few formalities from the reasonably friendly Mexican Navy it was off for our dives. It seems incredible to think that today's dives were the my least favourite of the trip, even though by normal standards we saw loads of great stuff, Hammerheads, Whitetips, Silkies, Octopus, Lobsters, a Stingray and a Manta. But this day was sandwiched between three truly amazing days.

For the following day we moved to the other side of Socorro to a site called Cabo Pearce for four more dives. On the first and second we encountered our first Black Mantas, not as big as they come, but they still looked great gently gliding around us. Also a lone Tiger Shark passed by a couple of times, not the biggest I've seen, but still a lovely sight to see and the talk of the dive deck when we got back on the boat. What can I say about the third dive that day, to give you a clue my dive log starts with "Best Dive Ever!!". That's from nearly 500 dives and 15 years of diving. We had two big Mantas interacting with us for 20 mins, a huge Galapagos shark cruising around, lots more Silkies and even a playful Dolphin. 

Our last day’s diving was spent back at San Benedicto and at an iconic site, The Boiler. We had four dives there and all were different. We were informed by the dive guides (who were very good by the way) that the Mantas more consistently turn up at the first dive on this site and sure enough they did. I am tempted to write in my dive log "No, this was the best dive ever!!", but cannot decide between the two. First two large Mantas arrived and at one point there were four. They moved back and forward between the two groups of divers that were 30 metres apart and spent the whole dive ducking and diving around us. As I'm sure you have heard about the Mantas at Socorro, they seem to love playing in the exhaled bubbles of the divers, just hanging above you, letting the bubbles run over their bellies and wing tips. Often close enough to touch (but we obviously didn't) and eye to eye, you can't help wondering what they were thinking. 

I suppose I should mention that the last three dives of the trip were pretty spectacular too, with another Manta, two Dolphins, three Hammerheads and a big Tiger Shark on the 2nd and a school of 40+ Hammerheads on the 3rd dive. I'm very pleased to say that I had a great bunch of fellow divers from around the world to share this with and we had a lot to talk about and plenty of impressive pictures and video to go through on the trip back to Baja.

Needless to say I've hardly stopped thinking and talking about this trip since I got back and among my ramblings to other divers. I will finish by saying "Whatever you do, you have GOT to go to Socorro". 

Regaldive offer a variety of liveaboard trips to the Socorro Islands with the Nautilus Fleet, including trips aboard Nautilus Explorer, Nautilus Belle Amie & Nautilus Under Sea.

To find out more, call our friendly team on 01353 659999, or visit:  Diving the Socorro Islands

South Africa

If you want some great shark action, what could be better than the shark hotspots of South Africa and Mozambique? Although there's always plenty to see including Hammerheads, Tigers, Blacktips and Bulls, May is the time that the Ragged Tooth Sharks take up residence on Aliwal Shoals. A shark to impress your non-diving friends, as with their mouth full of big teeth, they look far scarier than they actually are. ‘Raggies’ usually stay until at least the end of November, so now's the time to plan your visit.

Maldives

The Maldives is a popular location for seeing a few varieties of shark, most commonly Whitetips and Grey Reef Sharks. Although the Whitetips are usually very calm and lethargic during the day, they certainly get a bit more active at night. Often seen darting around the reef, trying to beat each other to the next unsuspecting fish to snack on. 

Our guests returning from Maldives Liveaboards are giving enthusiastic reports from of a very interesting night dive they took part in. Many of them have greatly enjoyed doing a night dive with Nurse Sharks. Although one of the most docile of sharks, it turns into a very exhilarating experience when you get 40 to 50 Nurse Sharks swarming all around you! Just hang onto your gear and prepare for the odd nudge.   

The Bahamas

The Bahamas are justifiably famous for their shark diving. Some sharks can be seen very close and personal, mainly Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks and Lemon Sharks, but others such as Bull Sharks, Hammerheads and even Oceanic Whitetips can all be found, with the waters of Nassua and the Exuma Cays being the most easily accessible areas. 

A famous location that is worth a visit in June, July & August is Tiger beach. So called because of the numbers of Tiger sharks that turn up in the warm shallow waters at that time. Known for coming in nice and close, some of the sharks such as Emma are famous the world over. With years of experience the operators that visit the area will provide you with an experience that you will have difficulty finding anywhere else.    

Galapagos

The seas surrounding the Galapagos support a large concentration of the marine life that make these islands a superb dive destination. Certainly no dive itinerary to the Galapagos is complete without a visit to the remote outposts of Wolf & Darwin to the north. Schools of hammerheads, as well as dolphins and rays make these islands a highlight for divers visiting the Galapagos. The whale shark aggregation occurs in the warmer water surrounding these islands. Many other shark species also make regular appearances, including species that you are unlikely to see elsewhere, including the Galapagos Shark. Although Hammerheads are seen year round, the biggest aggregations are usually in the Autumn. 

Red Sea

The Red Sea has always been good for sharks, but the last couple of years have been exceptional, especially the 'Simply the Best' itinerary. Maybe it's because there are less divers about. We are hearing feedback such as "saw hammerheads on every dive at Daedalus" and "great to get so close to so many Oceanic Whitetips" from those on our Red Sea Liveaboard trips. The best times for these encounters now seems to be starting a bit earlier too, around June, and running right through to November. 

To find out more, call our friendly team on 01353 659999.