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.

Here we highlight some of our most popular destinations for a good dose of winter sun: 

Red Sea DIVING Adventures

The Red Sea offers a truly unforgettable experience above and below water. Thousands of visitors a year are seduced by this area’s unique combination of spectacular marine life, welcoming climate and stunning scenery.

An infinite variety of marine life attracts divers from across the world to the warm waters of the Red Sea. For UK divers, this world-renowned dive destination is only a five hour flight away. Outstanding water clarity and permanent sunshine affords the chance to discover this magical underwater world all year round.

The sheer volume of colourful marine life and corals is what defines the Red Sea. Divers and snorkellers can experience an impressive spectrum of invertebrates, ranging from over 200 different types of hard and soft corals, to crustaceans, sponges and hundreds of spectacular fish species.

This incredible variety of marine life is coupled with an amazing underwater topography of dramatic walls, drop-offs, wrecks and deep blue canyons.

Find out more about Red Sea diving adventures here 

Caribbean dive trips

More and more divers are choosing to travel to the Caribbean. It's well known as a winter sun destination, but it also offers great all-round conditions above and below the water.

The islands of the Southern Caribbean offer a superb combination of great diving, above water activities and the famous Caribbean atmosphere that ensures a great all round holiday.

With world-class diving, protected coral reefs and year round diving options, the Caribbean is a diver’s paradise. From shallow reef dives, to spectacular wall dives and wrecks, along with superb marine life, including reef sharks, manta rays and sea turtles, the Caribbean has something for everyone.

Find out more about Caribbean dive trips here

Maldives diving escapes

The image of the Maldives fixed in most visitors' memories is an aerial view of an open ocean interspersed by tiny islands surrounded by beautifully patterned lagoons, beaches and reefs.

The amount of land that lies above sea level in the Maldives represents only a tiny fraction of the country’s overall land mass, most of which lies below sea level. The islands of the Maldives are the visible coral tips of an oceanic volcanic mountain range whose outer edge at some points plunge to depths of over 3000m. Deep channels separate 26 atolls that run from Haa Alifu in the North over 800 nautical km to Addu atoll in the South.

The relative isolation of the Maldives, far from any landmass, has led to a fabulous variety of marine species. Seasonal oceanic currents flowing through the country have forged channels from the open ocean into all the atolls. These channels, or Kandu in Dhivehi, concentrate plankton rich waters into and out of the atolls, which in turn support an incredibly rich marine ecosystem. Once inside the atoll, reefs, sandbars, islands and lagoons have evolved over millennia forming the habitat and nurseries for many of the reefs inhabitants.

Find out more about Maldives escapes here

LANZAROTE DIVE BREAKS

Just four hours flight away from the UK, Lanzarote is an ideal destination for UK divers. Lanzarote combines year-round warm temperatures and stunning diving with the convenience of regular flights from most regional UK airports.

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, rays and seahorses. At certain times of the year it is also possible to see dolphins and whales.

Find out more about Lanzarote dive breaks here

Sunshine, Here We Come!

Whatever destination you choose, you can enjoy warm conditions, terrific diving and flight times that won’t test your powers of endurance.  Sunshine, here we come!

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

We are delighted to offer a fantastic prize for a Regaldive guest who makes a booking between 28 December 2016 & 28 February 2017. This great prize is a 7 Night Ski Holiday for two people staying at  Xtra Chalet Le Curling Espace in France. So, if you are a diver with an interest in skiing,  or if you would like to learn to ski, what are you waiting for?

Xtra Chalet Le Curling Espace is warm and welcoming in classic Tignes style and set in a superb position right in the centre of Tignes-Val Claret and close to the resort’s main pistes and lifts. The Tufs chairlift and ski school meeting point are just 2 minutes’ walk away, and from here you can also ski the short distance to a choice of chairlifts, and the base of the funicular taking you straight up to the 100% guaranteed snow of the Grande Motte glacier. You can ski back on piste to within 200m of the hotel, and guests generally ski along the path right back to the Chalet door – a welcome bonus at the end of your day’s skiing.

The comfortable bedrooms all have en suite bath with separate WC, plus a balcony with views across Tignes and the spectacular surrounding mountain peaks. The hotel has a new owner, who has recently upgraded the style and comfort of both the guest rooms and the public areas.

This wonderful seven night prize* is based on two people sharing one room at Xtra Chalet Le Curling, Espace Killy Ski Area, Tignes, return flights from the UK, return resort transfers and lift passes courtesy of Regaldive’s sister company Inghams. The ‘catered’ board basis includes breakfast, afternoon tea/coffee with a selection of cakes, evening meals with choice of menu and pre-dinner aperitif, choice of complimentary wines and tea/coffee.

Inghams are the ski & snowboard holiday experts. They have been organising exciting ski trips for over 80 years and know what skiers and snowboarders are looking for. When you travel with Inghams you can relax safe in the knowledge that they will look after you all the way.

This fabulous prize is worth up to £2,250. As Regaldive are currently offering 10% savings in their Winter Sale, it is an ideal time for divers to book their next diving holiday, as they can benefit from great savings and will also be entered into the Ski Trip draw with a chance to win this great prize.

So, if you are a diver with an interest in skiing, or if you fancy learning to ski, what are you waiting for?

For help with planning your next diving adventure, call our friendly team of diving enthusiasts on 01353 659999, or send us an email.

* - subject to Terms and Conditions - please see here

If wreck diving is your thing, or if you want to encounter sharks and other large marine life, a liveaboard trip can help you tick off many of the boxes on your wish list.  If you are travelling as a large group you could even plan your preferred itinerary. FREE group places are also available.

We have highlighted some of our most popular liveaboard destinations in this article. Our other destinations include: Bahamas, Caribbean, Cocos Island, Djibouti, Fiji, Indonesia, Oman, Palau, Philippines, Socorro Islands, Sudan, Thailand and Truk Lagoon.

Maldives

Diving in the Maldives is influenced by the seasonal monsoons, which in turn affects both the underwater visibility and the marine life. Liveaboards follow these variations, taking divers to the best sites accordingly. The boats generally operate in the central atolls. In recent years access to more remote atolls has become available. Regaldive feature liveaboards that cover these exciting new atolls, ranging from Haa-Alifu in the far north, to Huvadhoo in the far south. These atolls represent the new ‘frontiers’ of diving in the Maldives and lie well beyond traditional tourist maps. Regaldive’s most popular boats include Emperor Serenity, Ari Queen and Carpe Diem.

Red Sea

Itineraries in the Red Sea usually follow a Northern or Southern itinerary. In the north the reef at Abu Nuhas is accessible from Hurghada with several wrecks resting at its base. You can also visit the Straits of Gubal and the famous Thistlegorm. There are also many world class dive sites in the southern Red Sea including the stunning reefs of Fury Shoal, the wrecks of Big Brother and the amazing marine life of Elphinstone: an ideal site to encounter hammerheads and oceanic whitetips. Regaldive’s most popular boats include Emperor Elite, Emperor Voyager and MY Nimar. 

Galapagos

The top of many wish lists, the Galapagos are a diver’s mecca. Isolated from any continental landmass, the Galapagos enjoys a completely unique biodiversity that is simply spectacular. These actively volcanic islands host a distinct and unique flora and fauna, including creatures found nowhere else on earth. The world famous sites of Darwin & Wolf support a large concentration of the amazing marine life that makes the Galapagos the superb dive destination that it is. Schools of hammerheads, dolphins and rays make these islands a highlight for many divers. Another highlight is the whale shark aggregation that occurs in the warmer water surrounding these islands. Hammerhead sharks and other shark species also make regular appearances in numbers year round. Regaldive’s most popular boats include Humboldt Explorer, Aggressor III, Galapagos Master and Galapagos Sky.

Whatever destination you choose, you can be sure of a large serving of top notch diving, along with a friendly, knowledgeable crew with the company of a like-minded group of divers. Bon voyage!

For help with planning your next diving adventure, call the friendly Regaldive team on 01353 659999.