As part of an extended trip arranged by the Department of Tourism and Philippine Airlines I had the pleasure of staying at two stunning, but very different, dive centres: Atlantis Dumaguete and Atlantis Puerto Galera.

Atlantis Dumaguete

Only an hour's transfer from the charming and small Dumaguete airport, the Atlantis Dive Resort Dumaguete is a haven for diving and relaxation. Situated amongst lush vegetation the resort is perfect for divers who want to get away from it all. In addition to the wide range of room types, the resort boasts an impressive dive centre with training facilities and a purpose-built camera room, a small shop and reception, a wonderful pool and spa area with a number of treatments available, and a cosy open-plan restaurant and bar with stunning views across the bay towards Apo Island.

The dive centre offers up to five dives per day, plus special trips including dusk dives with the beautiful mandarin fish. Given the choice of a night dive or a dive with the mandarins on my first night, it was a no-brainer. Seeing mandarin fish has always been on my “dive wish list”, so I couldn’t put my fins on quick enough! I am delighted to say that the Atlantis Dive Guide did not disappoint, and I spent an hour on a shallow reef watching these beautiful creatures perform their mating dance.

Thanks to my body clock being properly confused by the 7 hour time difference, I was up early on day two to spend a peaceful couple of hours sat at the edge of the restaurant watching the world go by and gazing at Apo Island across the bay: our morning’s destination.

Apo Island is a flourishing marine reserve offering a combination of wall and reef diving featuring all of the usual reef critters, plus sea snakes and some of the largest turtles that I have ever seen. 

Dumaguete is also renowned for its macro diving: it's just a short boat trip along the bay and divers are accompanied by eagle-eyed Dive Guides happy to show them all the delights of this macro-rich environment.

During my stay at Dumaguete I also managed brief visits to our other resorts Pura Vida Resort and Atmosphere Resort and Spa.

Chris - the owner of Sea Explorers - kindly met me and was my guide for Pura Vida. The resort is situated right on the beach and is set out amongst lush gardens and foliage. A well-equipped dive centre offers up to five dives a day and they can tailor their dive site visits according to the guest requests.

I was then taken to Atmosphere Resort and Spa - an award-winning resort - where I was shown around the beautiful grounds by Saila, the Sales Manager, before meeting owners Matt and Gabi Holder. 

Facilities include a state of the art dive centre (PADI CDC rating), infinity pools, luxury spa and wellness retreat and a choice of dining options. The rooms are especially comfortable and the resort is set in attractive landscaped gardens.

Diving is in small groups with good house reef dives, excellent macro along the Dauin coastline and regular trips to Apo Island. Especially popular with photographers, the dive staff includes a resident Marine Biologist. The dive centre also has a dedicated camera room which is air conditioned and has all of the facilities required to keep underwater photographers in camera luxury heaven.

Their strength is as a luxury experience in beautiful setting, with a very friendly vibe. Lots of land-based activities are also available to keep non-diving guests entertained. Matt and Gabi have a passion for wine and often host wine tasting events. They also have a tree-house setting for special occasions and events.

Atlantis Puerto Galera

After only two nights in Dumaguete it was time to pack our bags and fly back to Manila where we would take an onward transfer to Puerto Galera for the next stop in our adventure.

From the airport, a 2.5 hour journey by private transfer took us to Batangas Port, where we were met by boat to take us on our final leg to Sabang, Puerto Galera.

The vibrant resort of Sabang is reached by a picturesque hour long boat trip. The resort has a succession of hotels, dive centres, bars and restaurants all built into the steep hillside. 

Atlantis Dive Resort Puerto Galera is a short walk from the pier. Entering the hotel area, we were greeted by the sight of the '50 Bar' clientele sharing a beer after their day’s diving. This activity was accompanied by the sounds of the 70s and 80s, supplied by Ton-Ton – Senior Bartender, DJ and all-round good guy. It was a rare pleasure being handed a cold beer by this gent as I walked past the bar in my dive kit after that evening’s night dive.

Beyond 50 Bar is the well-equipped dive centre, purpose-built camera room, reception and Toko’s restaurant; serving some of the tastiest food that I ate on my travels. The restaurant leads to the training pool and spa, and finally to the guest rooms. The rooms are reached by a series of steps heading off in various directions from the main dining area. 

The diving is a mixture of macro and reef diving, with an emphasis on the standard reef experience. It is worth noting that Puerto Galera is right in the middle of the Coral Triangle and boasts an abundance of stunning colours on the reefs. 

One of our highlights of our far-too-short two night stay was a trip to Verde Island: one of the jewels in the crown of this area. Featuring an abundance of marine life and dramatic walls, a trip to this location should be an essential part of any diver’s stay with Atlantis.

Apart from Verde Island, Atlantis also has a superb house reef: we did a night dive here just after we arrived on our first night and were impressed by the colours of the soft coral and the abundant marine life, including giant frogfish and sea snakes.

Following a delicious last night meal with the rest of my group it was early to bed ready for the departure the following morning. However, we managed to squeeze in a cheeky early morning dive on a local wreck before finally heading back to Manila for our final night and the flight home.

Featuring an array of diving – from macro and stunning wall dives to WWII wrecks - the Philippines has something for every diver. 

Two nights at each location was nowhere near long enough, so I am aiming to spend longer in the Philippines next year to more fully experience the outstanding variety of diving that the Philippines has to offer.

To find out more about diving in the Philippines, call our friendly team on 01353 659999, or visit: Diving in the Philippines

With over 7,000 islands surrounded by one of the richest marine environments in the world, the Philippines promises a spectacular diving holiday.

Forming the tip of the Coral Triangle, these waters are unmatched as the global centre of marine biodiversity and are home to many thousands of fish and coral species. Discover historic wrecks, plentiful macro life, dramatic wall dives, turtles, mantas, sharks and whale sharks. Due to its outstanding range of diving and incredible natural beauty, the Southeast Asian paradise of the Philippines is now firmly established as a top dive destination for UK divers. 

Special Offers on Atlantis Azores Liveaboard Trips:

9 night Cebu Trips in November and December 2017

Atlantis Azores is a spacious 16 person liveaboard perfectly designed for the needs of divers. This liveaboard is a popular choice with first time and repeat guests, plus groups of divers. 

• Great savings on 9 night special itinerary around Cebu departing from Atlantis Dumaguete on 11 November 2017 or 9 December 2017
• 9 night trips starting from just £2,549pp boat only - Save up to £900
• Liveaboard trips can be combined with Atlantis Resort land-based stays to maximise the enjoyment of your trip.

Great Savings at Atlantis Dumaguete and Puerto Galera Dive Resorts: 

Save up to £330 on 7 night trips

Set in beautiful beach front and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the Atlantis Dive Resorts cater specifically for divers looking to access some of the best diving in the Philippines. Choose from Atlantis Dive Resort Dumaguete or Atlantis Dive Resort Puerto Galera, or combine the two!

• Save up to £330pp on 7 night trips
• Valid for arrivals between 1 June and 15 December 2017 - NB: This offer is now extended until 31 January 2018
• Twin centre trips can be arranged between both Resorts 

Combining the renowned Filipino hospitality with a true melting pot of cultures, when you visit the Philippines an unforgettable diving holiday awaits.

For more details, or to make a booking, please give our friendly team a call 01353 659999.

SAVe up to £290 on 7 night trips 

Great savings are currently available for 7 night stays in the Maldives resorts of Bathala and Filitheyo:

• Bathala – Save up to £250 based on a 7 night stay
• Filitheyo – Save up to £290 based on a 7 night stay

Offers are valid for travel between 1 May 2017 and 31 October 2017

Dive pack Savings 

Massive savings are currently available on Dive Packs with Werner Lau:

• Book one dive pack and your buddy gets the same dive pack at 50% off

Offer is valid for all arrivals from 15 May 2017 to 31 June 2017

MASSIVE LIVEABOARD SAVINGS WITH EMPEROR DIVERS
- UP TO 30% OFF & FREE NITROX

SAVE UP TO £885 ON MALDIVES LIVEABOARDS - BOOK BY 18 APRIL 2017

• Emperor Leo from £862 boat only
• Emperor Serenity from £1,124 boat only
• Virgo from £973 boat only
• Emperor Voyager from £836 boat only

SAVE ON RED SEA LIVEABOARDS - BOOK by 18 april 2017

• Emperor Asmaa from £902 including flights
• Emperor Elite from £1,043 including flights
• Emperor Superior from £989 including flights

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

Book by 18 April 2017 to benefit from these great savings. 

However, one only need consider the relative remoteness of the southern resorts of El Quseir, Shams Alam and Hamata with their unspoiled reefs, to make a direct comparison with the way the northern Red Sea resorts were decades ago, when the divers started to arrive. 

The spectacular coastline to the south of Hurghada has opened up to reveal pristine diving, and direct flights into Marsa Alam throughout the year mean that it’s now even easier to access these impressive reef systems.

El Quseir was once one of Egypt’s most important trading hubs, but today it is a tranquil destination. The coral gardens, caves and reefs boast abundant marine life, and the advantage of less crowded sites means that the resort is perfect for those learning to dive, as well as keen underwater photographers who can take their time to find the perfect subject.

Shams Alam has access to more than thirty dive sites, as well as an excellent house reef. Sha’ab Sharm is a large reef lying atop a vast undersea mountain thought to be an ancient volcano. This site is famous for its dramatic, sheer walls swept by strong currents where you will often be accompanied by large schools of jacks and barracuda, as well as grey reef sharks, hammerheads and tuna.

Dolphin House is one of the most popular areas in the southern Red Sea. The three main dive sites offer a cave system and caverns, an eel garden, a little seagrass bed and the biodiversity of the pinnacles. The regular sightings of barracuda, mantas, sharks and dolphins, plus soft and hard coral, make this one of the most interesting and ecologically diverse sites in the Red Sea.

The small town of Hamata lends its name to the region opposite the Fury Shoal Reef system. This is the most southerly resort in the Egyptian Red Sea. The remoteness of this area – 110 miles south of Marsa Alam - makes it the ultimate in ‘get away from it all’ diving.

The house reefs in Hamata give divers the flexibility to dive to their own schedule and maximise their time in the water. There is an amazing array of hard and soft corals to be appreciated, all within a short walk of your hotel room. Night dives are also available and provide an exciting opportunity to watch Spanish dancers, lionfish and lobster.

The legendary Fury Shoal offers over 35 memorable dive sites. One of the sites - Gota Soraya - is rated as one of the best wall dives in the Red Sea, with large caves full of glass fish, sweepers and an abundance of corals. There is a good chance of enjoying encounters with dolphins and a variety of shark species, along with large shoals of mackerel in season. Turtles hatch along this coastline and sightings are common.

Ultimately, whichever Southern Red Sea resort you choose, you will leave remembering immaculate, uncrowded reefs supporting an abundance of marine life, including many species rarely found elsewhere. This far south the winter water temperature is significantly higher than that of the northern Red Sea, creating a relaxed dive environment that can be enjoyed all year round.

Divers, it’s time to turn back the clock and enjoy Red Sea diving as it used to be: visit the beautiful south.

Regaldive offer land-based trips and liveaboards in both the Southern and Northern Red Sea. Resorts include El Quseir, Shams Alam, Hamata and Marsa Alam in the south and Hurghada and El Gouna in the north.

To find out more, call our friendly team on 01353 659999 or visit: Diving in the Red Sea

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