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ULTIMATE RED SEA

The Red Sea is a classic liveaboard destination that we all know and love and there are many great itineraries, from the thrilling diving at the Brothers to discovering the mighty Thistlegorm. If you are looking to get the most out of the Red Sea however, how about booking the ultimate Red Sea liveaboard adventure?

Join the Blue Melody on select dates in April and May 2022 and embark on a 10-night adventure covering the Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone, Tiran and the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm.

Blue Melody liveaboard in the Red Sea

Selected departure dates:

28 April, from £1,387 

08 May, from £1,621  

20 May, from £1,621

30 May, from £1,621  

SENSATIONAL SUDAN

Head south from the Egyptian Red Sea and the diving gets even better as you enter the seldom dived waters of Sudan. Join the luxurious Royal Evolution on her special annual two-week expeditions departing from Egypt to Sudanese waters. Highlights include the wreck of the Umbria, coral reefs bursting with life and a variety of shark encounters.

Royal Evolution liveaboard in Sudan

Selected departure dates:

10 February, from £2,428

24 February, from £2,428

10 March, from £2,428

24 March, from £2,428

GO DEEP (SOUTH) IN THE MALDIVES

The Maldives deserves its reputation as one of the best liveaboard destinations in the world. This island nation comprises 26 atolls and over 1,100 coral islands spread over 750 kilometres of the Indian Ocean. 

Most liveaboard itineraries focus on the central atolls. However, in the early months of each year certain liveaboards venture south. Deep south, in fact. The southern reaches of the Maldives are rarely visited and - at this time of year - are known for exceptional marine life encounters, especially with sharks. 

Manta ray in the Maldives

Join one of these special liveaboard adventures to experience a different side to the Maldives.

Selected departure dates:

20 January - Emperor Leo, from £ 2,253

12 February - Emperor Explorer, from £2,570

26 February - Emperor Leo, from £ 2,253

5 March - Emperor Explorer, from £2,570

13 March - Amba from £4,499 (25-night extended special!)

MANTAS & MORE IN SOCORRO

Socorro, or the Revillagigedo Archipelago to give the islands their true name, lie in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Mexico. Along with Cocos and the Galapagos Islands, they form part of the pacific shark corridor. However, the islands are primarily renowned for having the most impressive manta ray sightings in the world. The supporting cast for this show is equally impressive, with up to seven species of shark, dolphin and numerous other pelagic visitors.

Join us on these exclusive, extended adventures in prime manta season to experience the jaw-dropping beauty of these mighty animals on board the Nautilus Explorer.

Diver and manta ray in Socorro

Image by Stuart Westmorland

Selected departure dates:

3 March, from £2,983

18 April,  from £2,822

THE BOUNDLESS BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has long been one of the top diving destinations in the Caribbean. Its location promises plentiful shark encounters in addition to great wreck dives, colourful reefs and azure blue waters. This special extended itinerary focuses on the diving around Grand Bahama Island and Bimini, with the possibility of encounters with two of the Bahamas’ most iconic inhabitants: the great hammerhead and the tiger shark.

Bahamas Master liveaboard

Image by Brett Davis

Selected departure dates:

7 January - Bahamas Master, from £3,789

6 April - Bahamas Aggressor, from £2,635 - SAVE £615!

23 July - Bahamas Master, from £3,359

PERFECT PALAU

Consistently ranked as one of the world's most spectacular dive destinations, Palau is home to an astonishing spectrum of marine life and is famed for its pelagic action. Sharks are frequent visitors to these protected waters and there are also a number of manta ray cleaning stations. The big fish encounters are complimented by stunning reefs and some great wreck dives too.

Palau Siren liveaboard

Head to Palau on these select departures to catch all the action with these liveaboard departures.

Selected departure dates:

20 March - Rock Island Aggressor, from £2,260 - SAVE £460!

24 June - Palau Siren, Spawning Special - New Moon from £3,792

MASTER THE GALAPAGOS

The Galapagos Islands need little introduction. Straddling the equator, 97% of these enchanted islands are protected national park, while the waters surrounding the islands are a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Several oceanic currents meet here, creating and extraordinary abundance of marine life that has few equals anywhere in the world.

Liveaboard itineraries are closely controlled by the Galapagos National Park and seven-night itineraries are the norm here, spending as much time as possible at the Wolf & Darwin Islands. These liveaboards are bucket-list adventures in their own right, but occasionally extended 10-night adventures are offered, allowing those lucky few to discover even more of the majestic Galapagos Islands. Join one of these special trips in 2022 for the ultimate Galapagos diving adventure.

Galapagos Master liveaboard and Darwin's Arch

Selected departure dates:

6 January from £6,875

10 February from £6,875

28 February from £6,875 - Only 2 spaces left!

All prices displayed are per person, boat only.

Demand is high for these special trips, so get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss your big adventure for 2022, or view all our liveaboard diving holidays.

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18 Feb 2021

Emperor Liveaboards

The past year has been tough, and often the only thing that gets us through is hearing good news stories. We've heard of lots of people stepping up, helping their neighbours and building strong community bonds, and it's something we feel should continue post-pandemic.

If you know a fellow diver who has acted like a hero this past year, Emperor wants to thank eight lucky heroes with a free liveaboard trip. To enter your Covid hero, tell Emperor (in 100-200 words) why they deserve a free trip and whether they would prefer a Maldives or Red Sea liveaboard trip. There are four Red Sea and four Maldives liveaboards up for grabs, so get nominating and give your hero something to look forward to!

Luke Atkinson, Emperor’s Red Sea Manager, said “This initiative is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all those hundreds of people who have taken a selfless interest in looking after the vulnerable in their community. Examples could include healthworkers, carers or those who have come out of retirement to volunteer locally, but really we know there are many other ways people have been heroic."

Entries, comments and questions should be sent to heroes@emperordivers.com and terms & conditions apply. Winners will be announced monthly on the 14th for the Maldives trip and the 28th for the Red Sea prize of each month starting 28th February. Competition ends 14th June 2021. Please submit your final entries for the Red Sea by 20th May and the Maldives by 5th June.

#coviddiverheroes 

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Maldives

Manta ray in the 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. Why not join our small group diving holiday to Boutique Beach?

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

Manta ray in Socorro, Mexico

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 I 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

School of manta ray in the Galapagos

Image by Humboldt Explorer

The destination itself is synonymous with the expression ‘bucket list’. I don’t think I have 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. I 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

Manta ray in Komodo National Park, 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 and the region is best explored by liveaboard. 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

Mobula ray in the 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

Manta ray at a cleaner station in the Pacific Ocean

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, I for one 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.

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Maldives

Whale shark in the Maldives

A firm favourite, the Maldives is a truly amazing diving destination with the promise of manta ray and whale shark encounters, and so much more. It’s also becoming more affordable. We offer tailormade diving holidays to the Maldives to suit your requirements and there’s plenty of choice of liveaboard or resort, or if you prefer why not combine them both? 

The Emperor Serenity is a modern, luxurious boat with a lot of space on board for the 26 guests. She was voted the 6th best liveaboard worldwide in the Dive Travel Awards 2020. Showcasing the best of the Maldives, the week-long itinerary ensures you drop in on some of the iconic sites in the central atolls to dive amongst the colourful marine life, drift along walls and gaze in awe at the pelagic life. Plus, for small groups (or perhaps your bubble) 5 pay, and the 6th goes free! 

Located on the southeast corner of the Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo Island Resort lies at the heart of some of the most thrilling dive sites in the Maldives. There are ten entry points on the house reef alone. The resort is great for families and non-diving partners, especially those who like to snorkel. Perhaps best for an all-round Maldivian experience, this resort will always be a popular choice. Have you read our blog about life on the island during 2020?

Our Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza small group trip is based at Boutique Beach Resort, also located on the southern end of the Ari Atoll. The British operated resort only features six rooms and their eco-friendly approach and support for the local community has won many admirers. Join like-minded divers for an exceptional diving adventure.

Galapagos Islands

Eagle ray in the Galapagos

This destination needs no introduction and is mostly likely on every diver’s bucket list. We know divers want to get back as soon as possible, with as little outlay as possible and with favourable payment terms and flexibility to rearrange in these uncertain times. We have listened, and with that we would like to introduce a new liveaboard, the Aqua Galapagos.  

The cosy, mid-range liveaboard accommodates 16 guests and operates week long diving itineraries including three days at Wolf & Darwin islands. She’s family friendly and offers a great rate for single divers. Plus, if you want to see more of the islands, you can extend your trip to include a topside naturalist itinerary creating a trip of a lifetime. The experienced crew look forward to welcoming you on board for your next diving adventure! 

Egypt - Red Sea

Coral reef scene in Fury Shoal, Egypt

We look forward to getting you diving again in the Red Sea. One of the most popular ways is to jump on a boat, taking you closer to the underwater action. Choose from a variety of itineraries and book your spot on one of our 18 liveaboards. Departing from Hurghada, the Blue Planet 1 accommodates a maximum of 16 guests, a great choice for those who prefer smaller groups. Itineraries include time in the Ras Mohamed Marine Park, exploring the reefs of Tiran and discovering one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world. 

Some prefer to stay in resort and explore the reefs. Regaldive offer 35 Red Sea accommodations. Head south to Safaga to stay at Coral Garden, a true diver’s resort with bungalow style accommodation set back from the golden sands of the bay. 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. If you’re looking to get away from the world, Shams Alam offers peace and tranquillity, plus over 30 dive sites to explore, most likely with just your buddy for company. The choice is yours. 

We’ve created a diving bubble with our small group holiday to Sharm el Sheikh. It’s been designed for those who like to travel as part of a small group, whilst enjoying the camaraderie of a liveaboard. The week-long holiday includes 15 dives, staying at Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village.

Sharm Dive Extravaganza
From only £695 per person.

Grenada

The island of Carriacou in the Caribbean

The island nations of the Caribbean offer a special charm, a friendly and vibrant ambiance and plenty of underwater attractions for divers. Grenada is easy to reach and renowned for its array of wrecks, including the Bianca C, the largest in the region. Not only are there some great offers at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort for travel in 2021, you can arrive and dive during the mandatory quarantine time, as long as you stay in resort. The resort has been an island leader in adapting to the new protocols whilst ensuring guest’s safety and enjoyment of being on holiday.

Diving in Grenada is concentrated in the southwest of the island. Discover wrecks and explore the reefs in the Marine Park. Expect to see frogfish, turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, schools of colourful fish and nurse sharks in residence on some of the wrecks. The Underwater Sculpture Park is home to 75 pieces all created with materials that encourage marine life, creating natural reefs. It’s a spectacle and is open to both divers and snorkellers.  

Extend your stay by hopping over to Carriacou, the land of reefs and Grenada’s small island neighbour. Enjoy swim-throughs, drift dives and more coral encrusted wrecks all at your own pace. Suitable for divers of all abilities, keep an eye out for the tiny creatures plus lobster, rays, turtles and sharks as you explore the 20+ dive sites. 

Cocos Island

White-tip reef shark in Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Diving with sharks at one of the most remote sites in the world is right up there on the bucket list for many experienced divers. Cocos Island is recognised as one of the best diving locations for shark encounters. Think bull, silky, silvertip, whitetip and walls of scalloped hammerheads to name a few. It’s only a small dot of land in the vast Pacific, measuring roughly five miles by two miles, but a beacon for larger ocean creatures, which is why it’s so inviting for us divers. 

Reached only by liveaboard, this world-class dive adventure is suited to experienced divers. We strongly recommend that divers be advanced qualified with deep and night diving qualifications to enjoy the benefits of diving this remote location.  

Don't miss ...

Like you, we are passionate about travelling and diving. We work hard to offer you amazing underwater adventures and value for money. So, we couldn't resist mentioning these two fantastic diving destinations as an extension to the top 5 for 2021!

Oman tourist visas now available, fingers crossed for the travel corridor in the new year which is a great time to jump on the Oman Explorer and dive remote sites in the Hallaniyat islands. 

Malta & Gozo were one of the first destinations to be on our travel corridor list, and cannot be overlooked for 2021. It’s a chance for people to get back in the water, to learn, to develop their skills and get some sunshine! 

To find out more about our top five diving holidays, contact our friendly Regaldive team.

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Emperor Elite 8 April 2021

South & St John’s, Red Sea
Relaxing, yet world-class diving in the southern Red Sea next Easter, with beautiful reef systems and magical marine life.

Now only £810 (was £965)

Emperor Elite liveaboard cabin and exterior

Emperor Leo 6 February 2021

Deep South & Southern Sharks, Maldives
Head south for thrilling diving and sumptuous shark encounters away from the crowds.

Now only £1,981 including domestic flights (was £2,260)

Emperor Leo liveaboard and RIB

Emperor Explorer 2 May 2021

Best of Maldives
Enjoy big savings on this elegant liveaboard as she cruises the Malé & Ari Atolls; one of the newest and best around.

Now only £1,512 (was £1,936)

Emperor Explorer saloon and hot tub

Emperor Harmoni 6 February 2022

Best of Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Explore the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on earth on board this beautiful phinisi liveaboard.

Now only  £3,065 (was £3,405)

Emperor Harmoni liveaboard and cabin

Generous additional savings are also available for groups, please enquire for details. All Emperor cruises include free Nitrox, marine park and port fees, and complimentary wine with dinner.

Prices quoted are boat only.

To find out about our full range of liveaboard offers, including those in the Emperor sale, contact your friendly team today!

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What’s special about diving in Oman?  

Oman is a destination that doesn’t appear on many people’s radars, which makes it a real treat to dive. The marine life is huge - Oman has the biggest cuttlefish, rays, eels and everything else I’ve ever seen. I would recommend it on that alone! The coral is very healthy, big sprawling areas covered in soft corals is a pleasure to see. 

I would mostly recommend Oman for the more experienced diver, especially if joining a liveaboard. The waters experience thermoclines and quite drastic changes in visibility all year round so can be challenging at times. These changes do however bring different marine life in, which is sometimes like having two dives in one.  

For those who prefer staying in resort, there are plenty of underwater highlights whether it’s taking those first breaths or exploring the popular Al Munassir wreck. There’s opportunity for all.

Daymaniyat Islands in Oman

What was your most memorable dive? 

Fahal Island – this limestone island is teaming with marine life and is accessible from both liveaboard and day boat from resorts near Muscat. We jumped off the back of the liveaboard (always a treat not to have to get into a RIB) and were straight into a giant battery of juvenile barracuda. The huge numbers seemed to go on forever but, in the distance, they started to part as a juvenile whale shark popped his head through, making his way straight towards us. We mustn’t have been in the water for five minutes and I was already elated.  

We continued around one of the limestone corners and dropped to approximately 25 metres; the visibility and temperature changed drastically. We then had the pleasure of watching a shoal of a dozen adult barracuda hunting smaller fish, their silvery bodies glimmering in the slightly gloomy water. As we shallowed up on east side of the island the visibility cleared and the water warmed, and who should grace us with their presence again? The whale shark was back, and swimming much more slowly.

Our guide signalled to ascend for our safety stop so I set off my DSMB for me and my buddy, grinning at each other as we watched the time pass. Just as the dive is ending, I see a flash behind my buddy. I pause - she gives me a quizzical look. I see the flash again and physically spin her around just in time to see a mobula ray gliding past us, making its way up to the surface going for a jump! Our safety stop is up, so we make our way to the surface, and the beautiful creature does another jump as we’re getting back into the boat. This was my first ever ‘mobula flop’ so there was a lot of excited squealing!  

When I think back about that dive, all I can do is smile and think about how lucky we were.

Whale shark in Oman


Image by Joanna Charter

Which dives sites do you recommend?  

The Aquarium (Daymaniyat Islands) – the site concentrates an oval plateau lying at around 7 metres deep which continues to slope to 15 metres and then there’s a shear drop to around 30 metres. It’s teaming with marine life; shoals of fusiliers, cuttlefish, squid, honeycomb morays, crab, big carpet coral with critters hiding all around. A rewarding dive both day and night. 

Fahal Island – wonderful corals and lots of life along the steep walls. You could dive multiple times around the island and see different things, it has a lot to offer in a small space. Think shoals of colourful fish, tuna, jacks and patrolling reef sharks. 

Three Sisters (Daymaniyat Islands) – large boulders with soft tree coral and carpet corals between the rocks. Lots of swim throughs and holes to poke around in. Large marine life includes green and hawksbill turtles, eagle ray and leopard shark sightings.

Moray eel in Oman

Image by Joanna Charter

When is the best time to dive in Oman?  

You can dive year-round at Fahal Island from resort, but the summer months can be a bit hot for most. For the best liveaboard diving experience, trips to the Daymaniyat Islands operate in April, May and from September to November. The southern part of the country and the Hallaniyat islands are best explored by liveaboard from December to March. Exploratory trips are also available as the boat relocates.

Fahal Island scenery in Oman


Image by Joanna Charter

What are the species highlights? 

Leopard (zebra) sharks, honeycomb morays, big cuttle fish (everything is bigger in Omani waters), feather/mobula/eagle rays, juvenile whale sharks (seasonal), humpback whales (seasonal), spinner dolphins. Oman is home to five species of turtle, green and hawksbill being the most encountered.

Turtle in Oman


Image by Joanna Charter

Where did you stay? 

I was invited to spend a week on board the MY Oman Explorer (Daymaniyat itinerary) plus an additional night at the Sifawy Boutique Hotel, just south of Muscat. I was also lucky enough to have a look around the luxurious Shangri-La Barr Al Jissa – a great resort for the family. 

The Oman Explorer is a large comfortable steel hulled vessel, custom built for divers. It’s been exploring Omani waters since 2011 and moves according to the season (with some fantastic trips as it relocates) between the Hallaniyat islands (remote group in the south) and Daymaniyat islands (just north of Muscat). The cabins are clean and spacious, the food lovely and plentiful and the crew were outstanding; all very knowledgeable about the area.

Oman Explorer in Sifah Marina

Image by Joanna Charter

The Sifawy Hotel is a well facilitated hotel in a relatively new marina area. There is a beach bar a short walk around the marina, which is perfect for a place to meet after the days diving.  

The Shangri-La is great for those who love choice as it’s made up of three hotels, one suiting everyone. Great for families of divers and non-divers, a couple looking to get away from it all and enjoy luxury, or a group who want a large choice of food options to keep everyone happy.

Would you recommend a liveaboard or resort?  

I think both are good options. If diving is your main focus, you’re travelling alone, and you want to see some truly healthy corals and abundant marine life, a liveaboard is the better option. They can take you to sites that are mostly inaccessible by day boat, and you get to spend longer there. If you are happy with a couple of still very good dives, but you also want to explore more of Oman or have some relaxing time in the afternoons, then a resort is the best option for you.  

Why would you recommend Oman for Regaldivers? 

Oman offers a real off-the-beaten-track holiday experience without compromising luxury. You want to be the only boat in sight? Go to Oman. You want to be surprised each time you get in the water? Go to Oman. You want to push your diving limits? Go to Oman. With direct flights to Muscat from London and Manchester it makes it easy to get to, and there is a lot to offer topside as well; the mountainous desert landscape is a sight to behold.

Desert scenery in Oman

What topside activities are available? 

In Muscat itself you can visit Mutrah Souq, a bazaar full of local spices, trinkets, and everything in-between. You can also visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which is really stunning. For those staying a bit longer, I would recommend a trip into the desert. Explore forts, hike and swim in the wadis, enjoy panoramic views from the mountains and spend a night under the stars. Amazing!

Contact a member of the team to book your Oman diving holiday

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In times of uncertainty however, some of the more far flung dive destinations may appear too ambitious. There are a wealth of incredible diving destinations, just one flight from the UK.

Take a dive into our selection of the best holidays with non-stop flights.

Malta

Just three hours from the UK and with a number of regional departure options, Malta & Gozo are the closest top dive destination from the UK. Stay in a range of accommodation from self-catering apartments to well-appointed hotels and enjoy great wrecks and wonderful dive sites from professional dive centres. Suitable for beginners and continuous diver training.

Divers in Malta

Image by Pete Bullen

Bahamas

With regular flights to Nassau, the exciting diving of the Bahamas is only a short hop away. Enjoy the excellent diving directly from the island including heart thumping shark adventure dives or join a liveaboard and head to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. In addition, the beautiful Out Islands of the Bahamas are easily accessible. The choice is yours.

Caribbean reef sharks in Nassau, Bahamas

Mexico

Head to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula for some wonderful diving opportunities, superb beaches and fascinating Mayan history. A 10-hour direct flight from London puts you within range of the unique Cenotes – a highlight for many – colourful reefs, turtle encounters and thrilling drift dives from Cozumel island. This region offers great value with a range of accommodation options as well as appealing diving opportunities.

Diver exploring Cenote Ponderosa in Mexico

Egypt - Red Sea 

The classic diving destination is back to its best, with a wide range of flights now available to all the top diving areas – Marsa Alam, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh. Under 5-hours from the UK, eager divers can indulge themselves in the wonderful coral reefs and historic shipwrecks that make this area famous. A wide range of accommodation options are available from dedicated dive resorts to luxury hotels. Liveaboards are also a popular option.

Diver exploring the motorbikes on the Thistlegorm Wreck near Ras Muhammad in the Red Sea, Egypt

Tobago

With regular flights from the UK, the idyllic island of Tobago is easily accessible and yet remarkably uncommercial in flavour. There are a range of diving options for every budget and dive sites suitable for both beginner and intermediate divers. Despite its small size, a twin centre trip is a great option.

Pigeon point beach, Tobago

Maldives

Visit the Maldives from October through to April and benefit from direct flights from London, ensuring this world-class dive destination is a snap to reach. Fly into Malé, the capital, in just 10 hours and head off to your island of choice by speedboat. Or join a liveaboard for a diving safari in the central atolls. Divers can expect thrilling marine life including manta rays and whale sharks in addition to the topside charms of this famous archipelago.

Manta ray in the Maldives

Lanzarote

The westernmost member of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote offers much for divers, including great flight connections and a short 4-hour flight. Expect interesting and varied dive sites for all levels of divers, plus great beaches and consistent sunshine to keep you smiling between dives.

Angel shark in Lanzarote

Grenada

There are several flights through the week from the UK to the spice island of the Caribbean, Grenada. The island nation oozes charm and is enduringly popular with divers. Excellent wreck diving attracts more experienced divers, with plenty of reefs and sites for the less experienced too. Extend your diving holiday to take in the neighbouring Island of Carriacou – the land of reefs.

Diver exploring a coral reef on an old anchor in Grenada

Oman

Perched on the eastern edge of the Arabian peninsula and facing the Indian Ocean, Oman benefits from nutrient rich waters that positively brim with marine life. A pleasant climate for large parts of the year along with a dramatic and beautiful coastline add to the appeal. An increasingly popular option for divers, there are both resort based and liveaboard options available and Muscat is just over 7-hours away.

Coral reef and pink goat fish in Oman

South Africa

There are several ways to fly to South Africa. From March to July it’s possible to fly direct to Durban. The Kwazulu-Natal coastline offers access to the famous sites at Aliwal Shoal and the arrival of several shark species, most notably the raggies. In addition, embark on a memborable Sardine Run adventure from here.

Ragged tooth shark in South Africa

To book any of these diving holidays, get in touch with our dive experts. Our flexi booking promise gives you complete confidence when booking your next dive holiday, and we can also offer low deposits and changeable holiday dates if your holiday is affected by a Covid-19 issue.

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With a huge demand for travel, booking early has never been so popular and there are some incredible deals to be had. Here, we take a look at some of the most eye-catching early bird deals for divers.

MALDIVES

Traditionally, the peak months for the Maldives are November to April. During these months, the sun shines, the beaches sparkle and the visibility tends to be at its best. Offers are often hard to come by for these months, but for this winter there is wonderful value to be found for those booking early.

Stay at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa in the South Ari Atoll and save 30% on accommodation and meal plan.

Eagle rays in the Maldives

So it really is true that the early bird gets the best dive deal. To plan your next dive adventure or learn more about these great deals, contact our friendly team today.  

Blackout dates apply. Visit our offers page for full details of our current range of offers.

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New WHALE SHARKS and dive sites

We are in the famous whale shark area of South Ari Atoll and we have encounters all year round, one of very few places worldwide that can say that! It has been really special though during this time because we have had whale sharks come to us, maybe missing all the attention they usually receive when guests are here! In the 5 years since we opened over 350 different whale sharks have been encountered with only 8 being female but during the last 4 months we have seen 2 new FEMALE whale sharks and one stayed with us for over 40 minutes. She came right up to us and kept coming back towards us until the final moments when she zoomed right over our heads.

Whale shark in the Maldives

During this time Mette our dive base leader and I have been diving new reefs and new areas and have discovered an amazing soft coral place which is even better than 7th Heaven which is very well known here! Pastel shades of green, pink, peach, blue and lilac can been seen and are particularly beautiful when the current makes them all open to filter plankton from the water as it passes by!

Soft corals in the Maldives

On Kudimar wreck we have regularly seen up to 5 nurse sharks as well as the giant moray and giant mantis shrimp! 

Even Kudarah which is our most famous site, only 10 minutes from our harbour, has been EVEN more crammed with fish schools than before! We have seen grey reef sharks hunting right inside the thila (pinnacle) blocks and now we see rainbow runner schools nearly everyday to add to batfish, blue stripe snappers and humpback snappers! Huge tunas are hunting and we have seen them suddenly become striped and flying past like rockets as they hunt! Simply spectacular! 

Kudarah in the Maldives

BB TEAM and growing organic food

All our team have remained here since flights have not been available for them to return home yet. We all look after each other, eat together and watch our island volleyball tournament together! We have been doing maintenance work to the hotel and also to our dive boat so we are well and truly ready to welcome our guests back when the time comes. 

Together we decided to grow our own fruit and vegetables because it was getting more and more difficult to get fresh food from Male. We have had great success and can proudly show you our produce... cucumbers, eggplant, pumpkin, bitter gourd, chillies, papaya and passionfruit! Our chefs have made us tasty and healthy salads and curries and it tastes extra special when you can say you have grown it yourself! 

We plan to continue growing our own produce when our guests return and they can come and see our garden for themselves! 

Vegetable garden at Boutique Beach in the Maldives

NEW Health Standards

We have announced that we will be open from the 1st November and we are making sure that all the recommendations from our Government Heath Authority and WHO and DAN are being implemented before our guests arrive. Our staff will be doing training on best practise to ensure total compliance. Being a small boutique hotel we specialise in giving a personal service to our guests and that includes doing everything in our power to protect them whilst they are in our care. We have just 6 rooms in the hotel and keep our dive groups small with an instructor for both safety and to ensure guests are shown the best marine life this area has. 

Bedroom at Boutique Beach in the Maldives

During this time we have celebrated our 5th anniversary since we opened and we have received many good wishes from our regular guests!

We look forward to welcoming guests back from the 1st November and look forward to happy days spent diving together. We SO miss their smiling faces and laughter! 

The team at Boutique Beach in the Maldives

Our reefs and especially our whale sharks are ready and waiting! We hope all of you stay safe and healthy ready to join us in this extra special place in Maldives.

Plan ahead and book your diving holiday to Boutique Beach in the Maldives and enjoy a great saving in 2020! SAVE 30% - discount per room, per night on all inclusive basis, PLUS a free return airport speedboat transfer for two.

Contact our team to book this offer, or find out more about diving in Dhigurah Island.

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Malta & Gozo

Just three hours away, Malta is famous for its superb wreck diving, while neighbouring Gozo has around 50 fantastic dive sites with iconic topography, caves, caverns and more to explore. Grab a short break to one of these islands or combine both for a longer diving jaunt.

Tug 2 Wreck in Sliema, Malta

Red Sea

No round-up of great value but high-quality dive destinations would be complete without mention of the Red Sea. Head to Sharm el Sheikh to dive the mesmerising dive sites of the Ras Mohamed National Marine Park, or head south to Safaga or Marsa Alam for exceptional value and superb shore diving – with some exciting boat dives to enjoy too. Travel in the quieter winter months or early spring for even better value.

Coral reef in the Red Sea

Bonaire

With a unique 'dive and drive' style of diving, Bonaire may lay claim to the world's most socially distant diving opportunities. Grab a tank, throw it in the back of your Ute, and go explore the island's dive sites at your leisure! This sun-drenched island in the southern Caribbean has over 90 dive sites on offer making it a favourite amongst divers of all abilities.

Coral reef in Bonaire

Azores

This archipelago of characterful Portuguese islands far out in the Atlantic Ocean may not be home to bustling coral reefs, but they offer plenty for the eager diver, especially those with a little experience. Dramatic dive sites such as Princess Alice Banks or those in the Formigas and Dollabarat marine reserve attract exciting pelagic marine life and schools of mobula rays, while local dive sites are more suitable for less experienced divers. Whale watching and topside scenery compliment the underwater excitement for a highly enjoyable diving break offering bang for your buck.

Mobula ray in the Azores

Oman

Facing the Indian Ocean and with 1700km of coastline to explore, Oman is blessed with nutrient-rich waters, great marine life and varied dive sites. Numerous species of moray eel, turtles, eagle rays and leopard sharks all call these waters home, with healthy coral reefs too. Topside, there are fascinating landscapes, history and culture to enjoy. Direct flights from the UK add to the appeal.

Hawksbill turtle in Oman

Tobago

Quirky little Tobago in the southern Caribbean has long been a popular option for divers on a budget with regular direct flights from the UK. The island's position means it has dive sites on both the sheltered Caribbean coast and the more exposed Atlantic coast, ensuring plenty of variety and options for all levels of diver. Great value resorts and a laid-back charm ensure this small island is sure to get under your skin.

Coral reef in Tobago

Lanzarote

Just a short flight from the UK, Lanzarote offers not only year-round sunshine and great value, but also some underrated diving opportunities. The dramatic volcanic landscape of Lanzarote, the most easterly of the Canary Islands, continues underwater, with dramatic drop-offs and rocky outcrops adorned with anemones. Divers may spot octopus, morays, rays, barracuda and more, with occasional dolphin sightings for an added bonus.

Ringneck blenny in Lanzarote

St Kitts & Nevis 

Little St Kitts & Nevis in the north-eastern Caribbean is as diverse above the waves as below.  A blend of European and native cultures creates a charming ambience, while below the sparkling Caribbean Sea lies splendid dive sites. There are shallow pinnacles, walls, gullies and interesting wrecks to explore – all just a short boat ride away. A great option for divers with non-diving partners.

Scuba diver in St. Kitts & Nevis

Thailand

Thailand's Andaman Coast may be most famous for its incredible beaches, magical islands and wonderful people, but the diving is not too bad either. The dive sites off this coast offer excellent diversity, with everything from tiny critters to possible manta ray sightings. Mini liveaboard adventures are also available to be able to explore farther afield. A great option for families, or those looking to combine diving with topside adventure.

Manta ray in Thailand

Maldives

The Maldives may be synonymous with luxury, but there are some great value options to be had for divers as well, especially in the less popular months for regular tourists. These months may bring the occasional dark cloud, but the marine life is as fabulous as ever, with arguably more big fish sightings in certain areas. We recommend a liveaboard, staying in one of the more traditional Maldivian dive resorts, or on a local island to save crucial pennies.

Aerial shot of island in the Maldives

Contact our friendly team to quote your next diving holiday, or search our current hotel and liveaboard offers.

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