Our expertise

With 30 years’ experience of operating diving holidays, you are in safe hands. We specialise in Red Sea diving and have an extensive knowledge of operating diving holidays around the world, so you can feel rest assured.

Knowledgeable team

We’re a team of divers and have logged thousands of dives between us! We’ve spent years working in the industry and know all the details that go into a successful dive holiday. We hand-pick our destinations, resorts, liveaboards and dive centres to put you in the right place for the best diving and ensure you’re taken care of. 

Quality & value

We work hard to ensure our holidays are excellent value, and our price match promise allows you to book your holiday at the best available price.

COMPLETE FINANCIAL PROTECTION

We are a fully bonded ATOL & ABTOT UK tour operator giving you all-important financial protection.

REASSURANCE

With 30 years’ experience of operating diving holidays, our expert team are on hand to talk through your booking every step of the way and provide advice on the latest requirements for travel. We provide 24/7 support in the event of an emergency when you are overseas. 

Safety & Security

We operate all our holidays in accordance with Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice. If you are unable to travel as a result of FCDO advice, we'll offer you the options to change your departure date, travel to a different destination or cancel and receive a full refund.

Our Partners

Over three decades, we’ve established excellent relationships with numerous airlines, suppliers, hotels and liveaboards, and working together, we create memorable holidays for our valuable clients.

Contact our expert team of divers to start planning your perfect diving holiday, view our current liveaboard and resort offers, or find inspiration for your next trip away.

Mantas, the gentle giants of the sea, kickstarted Marine Conservationist and Film-maker Danny's fascination with the oceans, and snorkelling with manta rays never gets old - the encounters rarely, if ever, fail to leave him awestruck.

There are plenty of reasons for visiting the Maldives, however for Danny it's the Maldivian reef manta ray. The Maldives are home to the largest known population of reef mantas in the world, and arguably the most extensively studied. There has been ID confirmation of roughly 5000 individuals, and that dwarfs many other places by a considerable margin! They stay local to the islands, meaning researchers such as the Maldivian Manta Ray Project have been able to extensively study them for 17 years, clocking up an astonishing 75000 sightings. 

It's precisely because of this research that we're confident our Maldives Manta Ray Extravaganza group trip has an excellent chance of locating the mantas. We visit the best location at the best possible time - coinciding with the full moon and coupled with a plankton boom, hundreds of manta rays flock to Hanifaru Bay in the Northern Atolls. This unique combination means our trip offers the opportunity to not only swim with the manta rays but to experience them in numbers that are considered rare or once-in-a-lifetime in other parts of the world. However, in the Maldives, it’s a pretty much daily occurrence! It truly is a life-changing and unique experience, witnessing the daily mass feeding events and having manta after manta swimming past you is unlike anything you've seen before.

It's not uncommon to see 20-50 manta rays during your holiday to the Maldives, however, on a good day at Hanifaru at the height of the season it's rare to see less than 40 or 50 on a given day, often at the same time! 100+ manta days are not uncommon here. If we're lucky we may be able to witness rare feeding behaviours such as the manta cyclone, as the mantas swim in a spiral, pulling the plankton in a circle akin to an underwater ballet, lasting from minutes to hours. It only really happens in Hanifaru Bay and is one of the most incredible things you'll ever encounter.

If that wasn't enough, the Indian Ocean may even spoil us with a friendly whale shark sighting. Again, there aren't many places in the world where you could see both of the species on the same day, or even during the same moment. Danny has been fortunate enough to experience this and we are hoping for similar luck on our trip.

The itinerary also includes some time diving Baa, Ari & Raa atolls. Here we explore cleaning stations and dive with manta rays. It's an entirely different encounter than the feeding mantas at Hanifaru Bay - the individuals are more inquisitive, yet just as special and magical, providing a different juxtaposition.

Hanifaru Bay holds a special charm. It's the place Danny's returned to year after year, and he wants to share it with us Regaldivers. Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime diving holiday to the Maldives, as we witness one of the great natural events of our oceans. Contact us to find out more or to book your place.

MALDIVES MANTA RAY EXTRAVAGANZA

The Maldives is not only great for whale sharks - it's a hotspot for manta rays too, especially around the Baa Atoll in late summer and autumn. We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to join marine conservationist and cameraman Danny Copeland on an extended liveaboard adventure to the northern atolls, timed to visit Hanifaru Bay when the reef manta ray aggregation is at its peak.

Trip dates: 11 Sep 2024

From £3650 per person (including return flights from the UK, 10 nights on Moonima liveaboard, all meals, diving & transfers)

Find out more about our Maldives Manta Ray Extravaganza

Galapagos whale shark expedition

The ultimate trip for whale shark enthusiasts, this unique dive safari cruises the Galapagos Islands during whale shark season under the guidance of marine biologist and whale shark expert, Sofía Green Iturralde. In addition to wonderful whale shark encounters, insightful knowledge and presentations to enhance your experience, this trip also supports the crucial research of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project.

Trip dates: 23 Sep 2024

From £5295 per person (including domestic flights, 7 nights on Aqua Galapagos liveaboard, all meals, diving & transfers)

Find out more about our Galapagos Whale Shark Expedition

MALAPASCUA DIVE ADVENTURE

Visit one of the best places in the world for thresher shark encounters on this diving holiday to the Philippines. Led by SCUBA magazine editor Simon Rogerson, this trip is ideal for underwater photographers of all levels and focuses on the dazzling coral reefs and delightful critters. Simon has previously researched the threshers of Monad Shoal and therefore has plenty of experience to share with the group.

Trip dates: TBC - please contact us for details.

From £2345 per person (including flights, accommodation, breakfast & diving)

Find out more about our Malapascua Dive Adventure

maldives whale shark extravaganza

Based at the magical Boutique Beach Resort on Dhigurah Island in th South Ari Atoll and limited to a maximum of just 12 divers, this unique trip offers the opportunity of multiple encounters with prolific megafauna plus some action-packed diving at some of the Maldives’ most famous dive sites. You’ll also benefit from the expertise of Chloe Winn from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

Trip dates: TBC - please contact us for details.

From £2795 per person (including accommodation, all meals, diving & transfers)

Find out more about our Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza

Muck & Magic with Saeed Rashid

Marine life lovers and underwater photographers alike will enjoy this diving holiday led by popular underwater photographer Saeed Rashid to Lembeh Strait. During our time here there are plenty of macro subjects to focus on such as nudibranch, seahorse, frogfish, mandarinfish and octopus. We're also offering an optional extension to Raja Ampat, perfect for sampling some of the finest diving in the Coral Triangle - contact us for more information.

Trip dates: TBC - please contact us for details.

13 days from £3,045 per person

Find out more about our Muck & Magic trip with Saeed Rashid.

To book any of the above trips, or to find out more information please contact our friendly team.

Images by Basith Mohamed, Saeed Rashid, Danny Copeland & Jonathan Green

Thailand, known affectionately as the 'Land of Smiles', has long been a favourite destination for those looking for a truly tropical adventure. Beauty abounds at every turn, with stunning nature and wildlife, incredible culinary pleasures and of course the wonderful, welcoming people that give the country its epithet.

With ideal diving conditions from November through to April, Thailand’s Andaman coast makes for a perfect winter diving break. To whet your appetite, we explore some of the best dive sites of this stunning region; dive sites that are sure to put a smile on your face once again. 

Koh Bon

Thailand is renowned for many diving delights, from colourful reefs to a superb diversity of marine life. One of the stars of the show are the manta rays however, and Koh Bon might just be the best place to see them. This unassuming island lies to the north of the Similan Islands. On its western flank a ridge drops down towards a pinnacle that acts as a manta cleaning station.  

Sightings tend to be best from January through to April, but manta rays are not the only exciting encounter at Koh Bon. Eagle rays, tuna, wahoo and other larger predators are a common sight, while whale sharks make an occasional visit. 

West of Eden & Deep Six

These twin iconic dive sites are found at the northwestern tip of Similan Island no.7 - part of the famed Similan Island group that are widely considered to be Thailand’s finest dive destination. An assault for the senses, these dive sites arguably offer the very best of Thailand in one small area.  

West of Eden is characterised by large boulders adorned in sea fans, feather stars and soft corals, offering a wonderful playground for divers. This gives way to a sloping reef known as Deep Six with coral covered pinnacles and more magical marine life.  

The diversity of these sites is exceptional, with the chance to happen upon both smaller characters such as ghost pipefish or mantis shrimp, and larger marine life - including moray eels, turtles or maybe something larger. 

King Cruiser Wreck

Thailand is not only about wonderful reefs and marine life. In May 1997, the King Cruiser hit a nearby reef and sunk in the waters between Phuket & Koh Phi Phi. Now residing in 32 metres of water, this impressive wreck makes a great dive for the more experienced diver. The wreck is covered in life, from nudibranch and moray eels to turtles, batfish and barracuda. Definitely one for the logbook. 

Shark Point

Also between Phuket and Ko Phi Phi – and accessible from both – is Shark Point. The graceful leopard shark gives its name to the dive site and is regularly seen resting on the sand or swimming effortlessly through the water.  

Shark Point comprises a series of underwater pinnacles adorned in soft corals and teeming with fascinating marine life. Lovers of smaller marine life with delight in searching for tigertail seahorse, ghost pipefish or rare, miniature moray eels while snapper, trevally and grouper call this vibrant reef home as well. 

Elephant Head Rock

The east side of the world-famous Similan Islands are known for their fringing coral reefs and pinnacles. The west side is very different, but no less fascinating. Here, large granite boulders create a wonderful playground for divers creating canyons and swim-throughs galore to enjoy. The most iconic dive site of this type in the Similan Islands is the aptly named Elephant Head Rock. As if the dive site itself weren't enjoyable enough, this is also a good site for shark encounters. 

Christmas Point

Another dive site on the west coast of the Similan Islands, Christmas Point is a real favourite. Wind your way through a maze of boulders and swim-throughs often awash with glassfish, all the while marvelling at soft corals radiating pinks, purples and oranges. Keep your eyes peeled for ribbon eels, nudibranch and pipefish, but don’t forget to look to the blue on occasion to look for passing a eagle ray or leopard shark! A dive site not to be missed. 

Richelieu Rock

Lying far to the north of the Similan Islands group and southeast of the Surin Islands is Richelieu Rock, possibly Thailand’s most renowned dive site. This horseshoe-shaped limestone pinnacle is an absolute treasure. Corals cling to every crack and crevice while a staggering diversity of marine life is seen here.  

The star of the show for lucky divers however is the mighty whale shark. These gentle giants can be seen almost anywhere on the Andaman coast, particularly between February and May, but the best chance to encounter one is, without doubt at the mighty Richelieu Rock dive site.

Both resort-based diving and liveaboard diving are available in Thailand. Day boat trips explore the dive sites around Phuket and Ko Phi Phi, while it is possible to visit the Similan Islands on a fast and comfortable catamaran from Khao Lak with Sea Bees Dive Centre.  

To see the very best of the Similan & Surin Islands, we recommend a liveaboard, with options available to suit a range of budgets, and between three and seven days in duration.  

To discuss your Thailand adventure, get in touch with our friendly team today! 

Aimed at divers who like to travel as part of a group, and those who may normally enjoy a liveaboard experience, these small group adventures offer an action-packed diving itinerary and excellent value for money. 

Small groups provide the comfort and reassurance of a safe bubble, while affording the opportunity to create bespoke diving itineraries showcasing the very best diving on offer. 

Our small group dive adventures are proving popular so we have added some new dates for travel! So, whether you want a quick getaway to Egypt, a Maldives experience like no other, or a special trip to Indonesia, we’ve created some exciting small group dive adventures just for you. Read on and join us!

Maldives whale shark extravaganza from £2695

Rewind, detox and enjoy wonderful diving with our small group adventures to the Boutique Beach Resort. Created by British ex-pat Romney Drury, this magical dive resort has just six rooms and has won countless awards for its approach. With an enviable location at the tip of the South Ari Atoll, this area is known for excellent whale shark sightings and has over 50 dive sites to choose from, including some of the most celebrated dive sites in the Maldives.  

Accompanied by a whale shark expert, we enjoy two dives a day including a full day trip to Manta Point and some secret dive spots along the way. Accommodation, meals, transfers and Nitrox are also included, along with a trip to a non-local island for anyone missing a drink!

Contact us for future departure dates.

Find out more about our Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza.

Sharm Dive Extravaganza from £695

Enjoy a week of fun and adventure at the Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village, an authentic Bedouin style family run resort north of Sharm el Sheikh. This resort has a has a peaceful village vibe and offers a relaxed ambience away from the crowds. 

Three dives per day are on offer, with a special diving itinerary including Ras Mohamed National Park, an early morning dive in Tiran, the Dunraven wreck and two night dives. A total of 15 dives are included during the week. Accommodation, meals and transfers are also included, with complimentary single supplements for single divers.

Contact us for future departure dates.

Find out more about our Sharm Dive Extravaganza.

Bunaken Bonanza from £1345

Experience a week of exceptional diving at Tasik Ria Resort on the shores of Manado, facing Bunaken National Marine Park. A spacious, family run property, the Tasik Ria Resort is set in natural surroundings and offers comfort and warm hospitality.  

Three dives per day are on offer, with a special diving itinerary that includes a night dive and a trip to the Lembeh Strait to seek out the weird and wonderful. A total of 17 dives are included during the week. Accommodation, meals, transfers and Nitrox are also included, with complimentary single supplements for single divers.

Contact us for future departure dates.

Find out more about our Bunaken Bonanza.

All prices are quoted on a land only basis and are per person. Flight prices available on request and may vary depending on the time of booking. Group size for all trips is only 6-10 people. All departures can be booked on our flexible booking promise. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date when new departures are added.

To book your diving holiday, get in touch with our friendly team.

Cath Bates

In my years of diving I have had many lucky encounters with turtles, even seeing them chased by sharks! One memory though particularly stands out from a trip to Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi in Indonesia. While you can be divebombed by a multitude of both green and hawksbill turtles throughout your time there, occasionally one will steal your heart.

Cruising along the wall of Manado Tua, I turned mid-dive to find a medium-sized green sea turtle gently finning next to me. She passed right in front manoeuvring her body lithely to look me over and check I wasn’t a threat, before settling down beneath a ledge on the wall. It was too good a photo opportunity to miss and as I slowly approached, she began scratching her carapace like a cow on a fence. Allowing me to snap her contented portrait she slowly moved along the reef to munch on some tasty broccoli coral. The coral broke up in the water generating a cloud of goo. I clearly wasn’t of interest but she would occasionally glance to her left and right to check nothing was coming to steal her dinner.

After happily posing for some more photographs, she lazily pushed off the ledge and swam into the clear blue water. Her ornate shell featured dark sunflower bursts of brown, white and gold as if it had been painted by an impressionist artist. Something startled her and she began to pelt faster and faster making it look like she was leaving a trail of fire behind her. Then - as if someone had tied her to a bunch of helium balloons - she floated effortlessly up to the surface to catch her breath. Silhouetted against the sun I marvelled at the prehistoric shape that had just afforded me such a memorable moment in time. Within seconds she turned, swimming downwards into the abyss and was gone. 

Charlie Munns

My favourite turtle interaction was during my time working aboard the Odyssey liveaboard in Truk Lagoon. 

My favourite dive in Truk Lagoon was on the huge Shinkoku Maru, an old fuel tanker in the Japanese fleet. This oiler is a haven for hard and soft corals and as it is one of the rarer wrecks that sits in the middle of nowhere (rather than at anchor off the coast of one of the islands), it was always a magnet for any wildlife in the area. Sitting on white sand at a max depth of 40m and standing a good 28m to the top of the superstructure (the masts come to within 7m of the surface), the Shinkoku offers fantastic multi-levelling diving.

On one such dive, having bimbled about in the massive engine room and made my way up to the rear deck, I began my gradual ascent to the boat (and hot food) with a quick stop atop the huge smoke stack that dominates the rear half of the deck. It is covered in so much life, it could easily be classed as a reef all unto itself. As I neared the top of the smoke stack, I initially made out a large dark shadow. My first thought was this was another guest who was now late for their evening meal, but on closer inspection it was obvious this was a very, very large green turtle. Everything about this big-boy was oversized. The carapace was at least my size, his head was the size of a football. He was so large, I was a little bit intimidated to be honest. Fully expecting him to take offence at my arrival, I was surprised he barely reacted at all. He was far more interested in the smorgasbord of soft sponges adorning the perimeter of the chimney. As he munched and crunched his way around, I just knew I could settle down for a closer inspection.

Bit by bit, as he moved to his right, I shimmied to my left until I was right up against him. I could hear him eating. He could surely hear my breathing but neither of us were perturbed and something rather magical happened. He shuffled closer and almost as if yawning at the same time, his front right flipper came to rest on my left arm. This was a 'moment', you know that time when everything around you is just calm. The 'moment' you look around to see if anyone else is bearing witness but realise you are totally alone. The 'moment' you know you are at one with nature and neither of you are deemed a threat to the other. I immediately wanted to put a name to this gentle giant and the name Benson came to mind, his namesake was a local guy working alongside me on the Odyssey. Over the following weeks and months, Benson and I would regularly meet up at the same smoke stack. He was always there, always munching, always chilled. Initially I kept him secret from the others aboard but if I knew a guest was likely to be diving at dusk, I began to make it known where to find him. On my last visit to Truk in 2019, I did not see either of the Bensons but that's OK. I know they are both out there, both yawning, both are either eating or preparing to eat and that just makes me smile. 

Best turtle diving experiences

Feeling inspired? We offer a range of holidays where turtle sightings are common, and we can also arrange trips to see them nesting in season - an unforgettable experience that's sure to make for a rewarding holiday.

Dive with turtles in Oman.

Dive with turtles in Tobago.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 

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

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

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. 

Grenada

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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