Island hopping is a great way to experience the best of the beautiful Philippines Islands. The dive sites of the Philippines are home to some of the best and most diverse marine eco-systems in South East Asia. Scientists believe that Southeast Asia is where most of the Pacific's marine organisms evolved before they spread out to colonise other oceans. There are over 500 species of hard and soft corals and innumerable varieties of fish and large pelagics. The diversity is astounding and caters to all levels of dive experience and interest.

An island hopping or twin centre holiday is the perfect way to discover the Philippines. Regaldive offer four different island hopping options with 10, 11 or 13 night itineraries to cater to different preferences and budgets. An 11 night deluxe island hopping adventure is the perfect introduction to these stunning islands. There are actually over 7,000 islands in the Philippines!! But our 11 night itinerary means a stay on two: Negros Oriental and Malapascua.

After an overnight on Cebu, and a transfer by ferry to Dumaguete on Negros, you will spend five nights and four days diving at the Pura Vida Resort. There is a stunning house reef at this intimate resort, but the highlight is undoubtedly Apo Island, one of the best known Philippines diving destinations. Apo is a tiny marine sanctuary that is teeming with fish and beautiful corals. There are ten dive sites around the island and each has something different to offer from exhilarating drift dives to gentle shallow dives over hard and soft corals.

The second part of your island hopping trip takes in Malapascua, a tiny, picturesque island just off the northern tip of Cebu, that is blessed with stunning white sands at Bounty Beach. Here, there are lots of little coves and bays to discover and this is a perfect destination to relax and unwind. The diving is equally magical and its underwater that you really get your pulse racing. Shark Point is one of the top places in the world to catch a glimpse of the elusive thresher shark. Be dazzled by the colours of the mandarin fish on a night dive or get your macro lens ready for an up close encounter with a pygmy seahorse at Gato Island.There's also plenty to keep wreck divers happy here. Our guests here stay at the lovely Ocean Vida Resort, situated directly on Bounty Beach.

Regaldive guest Sue Walker recently returned from an 11 night deluxe island hopping trip and had this to say about her holiday:

"Just to let you know I had a great holiday. Thanks to all at Regaldive for organising it so well. I was delighted to see lots of sea horses, including pygmies and the thresher sharks. Hotels were excellent and Sea Explorers friendly, efficient and professional. I will definitely book with you again!"

Thanks to Sue for the fabulous sea horse photo. We hope it inspires many more of you to discover the beautiful Philippines.

There's nothing like seeing things in person but if your budget can't quite stretch to a Galapagos trip then how about checking out these fascinating islands on Google Street View!

To mark the 178th anniversary of Darwin’s first exploration of the Galapagos Islands, Google has launched a collection of 360-degree images from the Galapagos Islands that were collected in May with the Street View Trekker. Now, you can visit the islands from anywhere you may be, and see many of the animals that Darwin experienced on his historic and groundbreaking journey in 1835. Incredible!

For those looking for a Caribbean break, Tobago offers fascinating diving, plenty to see and do, and superb value for money with its charter flights. Regaldive are also offering a saving of £150 per person on 14 night stays pre-Christmas! Offering some of the Caribbean’s finest diving, Tobago is also home to beautiful beaches, mountainous tropical rainforests, traditional local cultures and diverse species of wildlife.

Snorkellers and those looking to get to grips with diving for the first time can admire Tobago’s marine life which includes turtles, schools of jackfish and rays, as well as the large variety of hard and soft corals, and colourful sponges, located within the sheltered reefs. For qualified divers, Tobago has a huge array of fascinating dive sites including Kelleston Drain - the largest Brain Coral colony in the Caribbean, and ‘the Maverick’ wreck.

Visitors looking to stay on dry land can explore the Tobago mountain range which is home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, relax on the deserted beaches, explore secluded fishing villages, or take advantage of the wide selection of water sports activities on offer at Pigeon Point. The island is also home to a wildlife sanctuary, botanic gardens and wetlands.

14 nights’ at the attractive Nabucco's Resort Speyside Inn now cost from just £1,056 per person, to include flights, transfers and seven nights’ B&B accommodation, based on two people sharing. The resort, which benefits from fantastic views over the bay, has a restaurant, bar and swimming pool and is set within tropical grounds. An SSI Learn to Dive Course costs from £273 per person, and includes equipment and materials. The £150 saving is valid for departures from 1 August 2013 - 5 December 2013.

There’s never been a better time to dive the Red Sea. Conditions are perfect at this time of year, you get the pick of the dive sites, and there’s a whole lot less boats out there. In fact, all our guests are saying that you really get the feeling of diving the Red Sea like it used to be… What's more our Red Sea dive centre and liveaboard partners need British divers support now more than ever!

Escape to the Red Sea this Autumn from as little as £399pp daily diving and £799pp on liveaboard.

Take another look at Red Sea Diving here >

Kids back to school? Darker nights drawing in? If the end of the summer is making you think of your next sunshine getaway... Book now, save 10% and win a great prize!

Regaldive are offering fantastic savings on diving holidays around the globe. Save 10% on Regaldive holidays in our Sensational September Sale! This great deal is available for almost every destination, hotel and liveaboard we feature around the world!

What's more, this promotion CAN be used in conjunction with many other great discounts, such as dive pack offers and extra nights free. 
 
PLUS, all bookings taken between 4 – 13 September 2013 will be entered into a prize draw to WIN £100 of Love2Shop high street vouchers. Love2shop vouchers can be spent at over 20,000 high street stores including Argos, Boots, Debenhams, Toys 'R' Us, Homebase, plus restaurants, attractions and more...

Call us on 01353 659 999 to book your holiday today!

Diving with whale sharks ranks near the top of any diver’s bucket list. These gentle giants of the underwater world may look intimidating due to their enormous size but in fact they are known to pose no threat to humans, and munch their way through algae, plankton and krill, filtered from seawater through their enormous mouths. The largest fish on the planet, whale sharks can be up to 40 feet long and live for 80 years!

These enigmatic and beautiful creatures are more often seen close to the surface, making that elusive encounter all the more possible for divers and snorkelers alike. Despite their dwindling numbers and endangered species status, we are delighted to report that whale shark awareness is on the increase and we have recent sightings from Regaldive divers holidaying in Egypt, Oman, Philippines, Galapagos, Azores, Djibouti and other destinations around the world.

To mark this week’s International Whale Shark Day, we’ve put together a couple of options for those looking to maximise their chances of an underwater encounter with these gentle giants. Just don’t forget your camera!

The Daymaniyat Islands, off the coast of Muscat in Oman, have been placed under the protection of UNESCO and can offer less experienced divers the rare chance to swim with whale sharks, encountered from June to September. The islands provide divers with pristine coral gardens, walls and abundant fish life to admire, as well as other shark species including leopard sharks. Seven nights’ at the Nabucco's Al Sawadi Beach Resort, which proves easy access to the Daymaniyat islands, cost from £970 per person to include flights, transfers and seven nights’ half board accommodation, based on two people sharing. A three day dive pack costs from £173 per person, to include two unguided boat dives per day, air tanks and weights.

For more experienced divers, the Galapagos Islands are recognised as one of the world’s best locations to encounter whale sharks in large numbers, specifically between May and November. Regaldive’s eight day Galapagos Sky liveaboard journeys around Wolf and Darwin Islands, allowing divers the chance to swim alongside whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, dolphins and rays. The liveaboard includes two dives at Darwin’s Arch, where seasonal sightings of whale sharks are common. Costing from £4,591 per person, the package includes flights, transfers, two nights’ B&B hotel accommodation, seven nights’ Half Board boat accommodation on board the Galapagos Sky, some drinks, three dives per day on Wolf and Darwin Island, air tanks and weights.

Galapagos Special Offer

Book by 16 October 2013 for an incredible saving of up to £660 per person on liveaboard sailings aboard the luxuriously-appointed Galapagos Sky. This boat offers really incredible levels of service - they will even bring you tea in bed! This limited special offer is valid for sailings on 6, 20 and 27 December 2013, and 17 January, 7 and 21 February, 14 and 28 March 2014.

For more information call 01353 659 999.

Thanks to Simon Rogerson for the incredible imagery of whale sharks in Djibouti.

"Very relaxed, enjoyable and just what we needed!" That's the verdict on Regaldive guest Don's recent trip to Hamata. Thanks to Don for taking the time to send us his feedback and also these great photos of his week's diving at Lahami Bay Beach Resort.

Read his trip report here

Take a look at his photos here

Hamata really is a wonderful place to dive Egypt as it used to be! Get away from the crowds and experience pristine reefs and plentiful marine life in an idyllic location. Find out more about Diving in Hamata.

Red Sea NGO HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association) and PADI have produced this video message to highlight the importance of responsible tourism in the conservation of the dolphin population of the Red Sea. Please watch and share!

The stunning Azores Islands are growing in popularity all the time as more and more divers discover the sensational diving, scenery and marine life just a short four hour flight from the UK. Here's another trip report from some happy Regal Divers - repeat guests who stayed at Hotel Marina Atlantico, Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel and dived with Nerus Dive Centre.

"Just a quick note to say that we had a fantastic time in the Azores. Sofiane and his team at Nerus made us extremely welcome and worked extremely hard to ensure that we enjoyed all the diving experience. The diving was excellent, probably better than our visit last year – the visibility was better, up to 30m. Lots of life to see, from tiny nudibranches to large stingrays. Good wrecks, and stunning underwater seascapes, all within a short boat ride from Ponta Delgada.

Above land, the hotel, Marina Atlantico,  was excellent, I am surprised that you do not put all the diving guests in this hotel, given it’s proximity to the marina and the dive centres. The local restaurants are good too, however, judging from the portion sizes, they are more used to catering for Americans than the British.

It was amazing that the Melo rep who met us at the airport remembered us from last year! Locally, most things are good value for money, especially food and drink (and cigarettes if you smoke – we don’t!). No problems with SATA, extra baggage checked in with no problems at both ends. All in all, a lovely holiday, and not only would we go again, we would recommend it!"