The one awe-inspiring moment that stands out for me was diving a site called ‘Aquarium’ which was located on the outside of one of the islands in the North Male Atoll; famous for its manta cleaning station.

Before we even entered the water, a pod of spinner dolphins were jumping ahead of the boat. The captain turned off the engine and they appeared at the side of the boat.

Wetsuits donned and scrambling into our gear in the quickest time possible, we made the giant stride in on the corner of the reef.

I caught a very brief glimpse of the pod underwater before they clocked us and went into the blue.

As we made our descent, there were hard corals galore, decorated with anthias and surgeonfish swimming in the water column.

We went with the current, getting pushed along at quite a rate, so there was little time to observe the macro, though white-tip reef sharks and stingrays glided by.

As we approached the ‘end’ of the reef, where it makes a sharp turn at 90 degrees, the manta station was there. Our leader made the signal to hook on with our reef hooks, my mask was being pushed off my face and my hair was doing a ‘medusa-like’ dance in the current, but I managed to find a rocky nook to hook on to. As we waited, within minutes two glorious manta rays came into view in the distance.

We watched as they did their graceful dance in the current and then they began coming towards us.

Closer and closer they came until I found myself staring at one face-to-face. It went right over the top of my head, casting a dark shadow beneath and at that moment I was only thinking about how lucky I was.

After the excitement of the mantas, the signal was made to un-hook and as I went to do so, I noticed a sea anemone to my right. Inside this anemone something was moving. It was a tiny porcelain crab.

The crab had its feather-like appendages out; filter-feeding from the water column. It was almost like it was a conductor in the orchestra.

Such a beautiful dive, both big and small made an appearance and it is an experience that has stuck with me.

Take a look at our selection of resorts and liveaboards in the Maldives here, or for more information, speak to the Regaldive team today on 01353 659999. 

(main image by Emily Chappell)

"Having been dropped off in Jackson Reef, my best mate and I allowed the gentle drift of the current to push us back towards where our small dive boat was moored.

Stopping to look into the small nooks and crevices, we shallowed our dive, enjoying the contrast of the beautiful open water and the compactness of the reef system.

As we hung at 5m to complete our safety stop, I turned my back on the reef, taking my time to stare into the deep and vast blue, with a sense of wonder.

A fish caught my eye. Was this a Jack? It got closer and bigger. It was coming right at me and it was a very, very big fish. I grabbed my mate and spun him around off the reef. I could hear him shouting and swearing at me as I rudely interrupted his last moments of peace, but he had to admit, it was worth it. No more than 3 meters in front of us, a very large adult scalloped hammerhead shark had come to check us out. Being my first interaction with a Hammer, that moment will live with me forever."

Charlie Munns

"The crystal visibility at Gordon Reef gave me the sensation of flying as we drifted over the corals. The reef was busting with life, it was incredible to see that the coral were so vibrant and to watch as the Anthias pulsed in and out of hiding. My favourite moment was watching a lionfish chase an octopus over the hard corals, watching the octopus outsmart the Lion time and time again made me very happy. A truly magic dive site."
Joanna Charter

Image by Orca Dive Club

"On an early morning dive on a well-deserved day off, my instructor buddy and I jumped on the wall of Shark Reef full of the anticipation of Summer.

The reef was spattered with colour as usual, with the orange anthias facing upwards, gently swimming against the current.  It was silent, devoid of the sound of boat engines above that you might hear during the late morning.

From the corner of my eye, I caught the shimmer of a shoal of barracuda.  They circled together, chasing each other’s tails in a mesmerising dance of silver.  Out of nowhere, a solitary Limbatus (black tip oceanic) pushed through the school into the blue.  The barracuda scarpered and then went back into formation almost immediately.

Then two oceanics darted through the school like bullets, turned and waited on the perimeter of the silver turning orb.  As we marvelled excitedly to await their next move a third, then a fourth shark came into the game.  It was as though they were herding the baitball. 

We watched motionless.  There would be either no movement for some time or sudden shafts of silver speeding by.  It was a ballet of strategy from both parties.

I realised we had lost the reef and looked up to orientate myself to the sunlight.  The sharks and the barracuda gradually moved forward, we followed and I could make out the darkness of the looming coral tower ahead.  They had kindly navigated us back to the safety of the wall.  If it hadn’t been for the falling needle on my pressure gauge I could have watched their dance all day long!"
Cath Bates

"Jackfish Alley was always one of my favourite sites; it always felt like the kind of place where anything might appear out the blue. On this particular day, we had come to the end of our dive, and the one turned to zero on my computer as my safety stop came to an end. I took one last look around, as we all do at the end of a dive… just in case.

Appearing from the distance were two magnificent eagle rays, locked in an elegant dance. They came so close, circling and swooping around me in a truly magical encounter. Needless to say, my safety stop lasted a little longer than it needed to on that particular day!"
Phil North

To book your diving adventure to Sharm El Sheikh, speak to a member of the Regaldive team on 01353 659999! 

Regaldive are sad to hear that Thomas Cook UK Plc (including Thomas Cook Airlines) has entered into liquidation.

Please be assured that any clients who have booked Thomas Cook flights through Regaldive are covered by the Regaldive ATOL Licence (number 10544).

For those abroad at the moment, the UK government are already repatriating from many destinations including Egypt. If you are unable to board one of these flights we will look at alternative arrangements to bring you home. 

For those clients who have yet to leave the UK our staff are making contact with everyone to look at alternative arrangements, or a full refund.

Please bear with us as our priority must be those clients already abroad, or leaving the UK imminently. 

My wife and I are both eager divers. In recent times, with a young family to nurture, diving opportunities have been limited to my work adventures rather than something to share together. Earlier this year, however, my eldest turned eight. Given his eagerness to discover what all the fuss is about with his parent’s diving obsession, we decided the time was right for a family diving and snorkelling holiday.

Tara and I have both been very fortunate to be well travelled; exploring, living and working in all manner of destinations. So while there was a temptation to go exotic, the practicalities and costs of a holiday with a young family persuaded us to look at destinations closer to home.

Abu Dabbab Diving Lodge in the south of Egypt. I had met the Abu Dabbab team of Rita, Khaled and Isabela after an introduction and recommendation from an industry friend in the know. It had immediately caught my attention as something different, and a little special. Abu Dabbab Bay is known as one of the finest bays in Egypt, a sweeping bay of white sand, with green turtles eating on the seagrass and coral reefs fringing the bay on both sides.

Having spent many years living in South East Asia, and having a preference for smaller, more intimate resorts, the 60 or so wooden bungalows set amongst tropical gardens, oleander and hibiscus appealed greatly. Less than half an hour after my excited family exited Marsa Alam airport, we were enjoying a welcome drink and settling into our bungalow. For us, it was perfect. The bungalows are simple but charming - and well appointed with everything we needed. With four it was a touch cosy, but we are used to that. For two or three, the bungalows have ample space. It didn’t take long for my daughter to get changed and launch herself into the child-friendly pool, full of smiles, laughter and joy.

Then we headed down to the beach and the dive centre. The diving lodge is set back from the beach, just across a dust track, a very straight-forward two minute walk away. The diving centre is run by Blue Ocean, who also manage the lodge. The spacious and tastefully decked out dive centre is right on the beach. With house reef diving available, plus boat diving to sites only a few minutes away, it was ideal for us. We arranged a Bubblemaker for my eldest, and also some diving for Tara and I, swapping diving opportunities with parental duties.

One of the really big draws of Abu Dabbab is its proximity to Elphinstone. One of Egypt’s most celebrated dive sites is usually only the preserve of liveaboards, but is a mere 25 minutes by speedboat from Abu Dabbab Bay. Plunging reefs almost heave under the weight of marine life, with the signature anthias in abundance, plus all manner of other marine life. A silvertip shark greeted those divers paying more attention than yours truly, but the real highlight was a small pod of dolphins cruising past excitedly, seemingly on the hunt, their energy and presence almost palpable.

One of the other unique aspects of Abu Dabbab is the opportunity to do an overnight dive trip. For those who have never done a liveaboard, this is the perfect introduction. The kids were keen, so we booked on and headed south to Hamata, 90 minutes away, to pick up the boat. We headed out to the reefs of Wadi Gamal and Sataya Dolphin House. We were given a family cabin at the front of the boat, which was just perfect. After enjoying his first experience, my son made a second ‘dive’ - he’s clearly got the diving bug too. Tara and I also got to enjoy some beautiful dives with no crowds, but the big highlight was Setaya. Dolphins use this protected area to rest between hunting sorties, and sightings are very regular. We had the opportunity to snorkel with the dolphins twice in shallow, calm, azure blue water. You could clearly see the bonds amongst the dolphins, hear their chatter, and appreciate their playful nature. A thrilling experience for an adult - let alone a child.

After five nights in Abu Dabbab, with its relatively simple and natural vibe, we spend the final two nights of our trip at the all-inclusive Sunrise Marina Resort in Port Ghalib. A very different resort, but the perfect end to our holiday where the children could enjoy the facilities of the aquapark, leaving my wife and me to relax in the sun.

For those with families, I should also mention how wonderful all the staff were with our children, showering them with genuine and heartfelt attention and affection; far beyond any job description. It helped make the trip all the more magical; one that will live long in the memory of our family.

So who is suited to Abu Dabbab? In addition to families looking for a more simple experience that is closer to nature, Abu Dabbab is also ideal for singles, couples, and dive clubs looking for a low key, but superb quality dive adventure in the southern Red Sea. Diving is available for all abilities.

Find out more about Abu Dabbab Diving Lodge, the newest offering in our extensive Red Sea portfolio here, speak to our friendly Dive team on 01353 659999, or send us an email.

1) Malta offers some of the best diving in the Mediterranean, and there are plenty of topside activities for non-diving partners too. There are wrecks and stunning underwater seascapes to explore for experienced and technical divers, but Malta also makes an ideal location for learner divers and those wanting to - all of this just a short flight away from the UK.

2) Malta’s underwater topography is stunning – there are caves and caverns to explore, but it’s the island’s extraordinary number of wrecks that attracts many divers. Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea has made it the focus for many ruling powers throughout history and it is, in part, this legacy which has led to dozens of shipwrecks around its shores.

3) Warm water and excellent visibility mean that whether you’re exploring wrecks on a technical dive, or taking your first steps underwater as a learner diver, Malta makes a great dive destination.

4) Gozo – a dive holiday in Malta can easily be combined with a stay on the neighbouring island of Gozo. With 44km of coastline, and 50 dive sites to explore off Gozo and the tiny island of Comino, plus submarine arches, tunnels and caves to navigate, Gozo makes an excellent addition to any Malta dive holiday.

5) Plenty of topside interest on Malta and Gozo – Malta’s capital, Valletta, is a World Heritage Site and historic highlights include the Grand Master’s Palace and St John’s Cathedral, plus winding medieval streets and attractive squares. There’s also a great choice of restaurants, bars and cafés. With lovely beaches and coves, plus a network of walking and cycling trails to enjoy, it’s worth spending some time exploring on land as well as under the water. If you can extend your holiday to include time on the unspoilt neighbouring island of Gozo, fishing villages, a hilltop citadel and a wonderfully relaxed pace of life await.

For more information, or to plan your diving holiday to Malta and Gozo, speak to the Regaldive team on 01353 659999 or send us an email!

I was picked up in the morning from my hotel, the impeccable Sunrise Marina Resort in Port Ghalib, and a few minutes later was welcomed at the Emperor Divers dive centre on the far side of the marina. As this was a work trip rather than a diving trip, I hadn’t brought my dive gear. The Emperor team quickly and efficiently got me kitted out with excellent quality rental gear however, and we were on our way,

One thing that came flooding back to me as we ventured out onto the Red Sea was the colour of the water. I’ve been fortunate to dive many places, and there is nowhere else I’ve been where the colour of the water is quite the same majestic hue of turquoise. It brought a smile to my face before I’d even entered the water.

Many moons ago, when youth was on my side, I spent a season as the videographer for Emperor in Sharm el Sheikh, careering around underwater getting shots of the clients, their experiences, and the marine life they saw. This was my first opportunity both to dive the southern Red Sea, and also to be an Emperor customer. I must say both were a privilege.

With the chance for only one day’s diving on this trip, I was not expecting too much in terms of marine life encounters. The fact I was diving in early January, one of the cooler and quieter months in this area, also added to my relatively low expectations. How wrong I was.

We dropped in on our first dive and ambled along a fairly quiet patch of reef. This gave me a few welcome moments to get settled underwater and to get my bearings. We then came across a wonderful pinnacle dripping in life and colour. Healthy soft corals reached out into the blue to catch the current, and a vibrant community of marine life called the pinnacle home. As is common in the Red Sea, the picture was made perfect by the carpet of fluttering orange adoring the reef, as anthias constantly jostled for position. There are few places in the world with the kaleidoscopic colours of the Red Sea, and we are so fortunate to have it almost on our doorstep.

As we crossed from the first pinnacle to another, the dive just got better. First, a green turtle of impressive size swam serenely past, almost oblivious to the group of divers admiring her beauty and grace. Shortly after, a small school of five or six eagle rays glided past to add to the sense of glee. These were smaller eagle rays, not the juveniles sometimes found in sheltered bays, but not adults either; possibly young teenagers, making their way in the world. Another gorgeous pinnacle ended a perfect first dive.

I’d have been more than happy with my lot from just that dive. It was well worth the chill that greets recently surfaced divers at this time of year as they struggle, unglamorous, out of their neoprene. The surface interval brought more delights, and a first for me. This area of the Red Sea is known for a small population of rare dugongs. These unusual animals, who some attribute to the legend of mermaids, spend their days munching on the plentiful seagrass. The dugong is rather unlike any other animal bar their close cousin, the manatee; and they had been on my wishlist for many years. The chance to see one while snorkelling, however fleetingly, added to the magic of my morning.

A second dive brought more turtle encounters, bringing an end to a perfect day, and one that I’ll cherish for many years to come. My thanks go to Seamus, Paul, Hamada, and the entire Emperor team in Port Ghalib for such a fantastic day.

Emperor Divers are one of the longest running and most experienced dive operators in the Red Sea. They have gained a well-deserved reputation for both professionalism and excellent customer service. Based in the Marina Lodge in Port Ghalib, a short distance from Marsa Alam airport, Emperor Divers made the ideal base to explore the diving in this area.

If you’d like to discover the underwater treasures of Marsa Alam for yourself, contact Regaldive for a quotation.  

Emperor Divers operate another dive centre in El Gouna, along with a number of liveaboards as well. Contact our friendly team on 01353 659999 for full details of the diving opportunities on offer with Regaldive and Emperor Divers

Plenty of hotels offer kids' clubs and activities to keep little ones entertained, or for young divers a summer holiday is the perfect time to take those first few breaths underwater! Take a look at our Junior Diving Courses for more information…

The Red Sea is the perfect destination for families looking for great value sunshine and diving outside of Europe, but without a long-haul flight. With excellent facilities, child-friendly resorts and topside activities, the Red Sea is a great destination to consider if you're looking for an easy, stress-free family holiday this summer.

Concorde Moreen Beach Resort With a good selection of family rooms, a kids' club and two child-friendly pools, this resort also enjoys views over the 800m white sandy beach and a brilliant house reef. Learn to dive in the calm bays of Marsa Alam, or venture further to enjoy the stunning reefs and marine life of the Southern Red Sea.

Sunrise Marina Resort Port Ghalib This resort’s kids' club, games rooms and colourful assortment of water slides make it an ideal choice for families. The resort also features its own exclusive private sandy beach and coral caves, a conveniently located dive centre and easy access to the exciting Southern Red Sea and its myriad pristine reefs.

Movenpick Hotel The Movenpick has two children's pools, a play area, children's menu and kid's club, along with family and inter-connecting rooms. El Gouna is a superb place to learn to dive with access to many spectacular coral gardens in sheltered waters, while the best of the Northern Red Sea is in easy reach for more advanced wreck diving.

Malta is another destination perfect for families. In the Mediterranean sea, Malta is only a short flight from the UK and with self-catering accommodation options, such as Sands Apartments and Villa Michael, family holidays to Malta are very affordable!
The Maltese islands are also the perfect place to introduce your little ones to diving, with calm warm seas (especially nearer the end of the summer) and excellent visibility.


Bonaire is perfect for divers and snorkellers of all abilities and great diving destination year-round. The superb training facilities, the lack of currents and clear waters make Bonaire perfect for younger divers to learn, while experienced divers can enjoy the freedom of unlimited access to diving, day or night. Stay at the family-friendly Buddy Dive Resort, and make the most of their range of kids' clubs, introducing kids over 5yrs to the underwater world!

For a personalised family quote or more family holiday options, speak to the Regaldive team on 01353 659999.

But what’s so great about diving in the Red Sea? 

The Climate
Discover the underwater world of the Red Sea year round, as water temperatures rarely fall below 22C even in the middle of winter and can reach highs of 30C in summer, while the air temperatures range from 20-40C year round.

The Water
The warm, clear waters of the Red Sea attract an incredible abundance of marine life with visibility reaching up to 40m making it perfect for underwater photographers or as a place to learn to dive.

The Reefs
With incredible biodiversity and beautiful bright colours, the reefs in the Red Sea are a wonderful reason to visit. More than 220 different species of hard and soft coral thrive here along with more than 1,100 fish species, of which almost a fifth can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. For the most spectacular reefs, head to Ras Mohammed National Park in the north (via liveaboard) or Fury Shoals from Hamata in the south.

The Wrecks
The northern Red Sea has multiple brilliant wrecks, the most famous being the iconic S.S. Thistlegorm (accessed by liveaboard). Four wrecks can be explored at Abu Nuhas from either a liveaboard or day boat from El Gouna. Many other wrecks are covered in stunning bright corals, full of interesting preserved artefacts or frequented by pelagic species.

The Marine Life
Egypt has it all, from large pelagics to tiny critters, a spectacular array of marine life for diving enthusiasts of all abilities. In the warmer summer months, the periodic plankton bloom attracts larger pelagic species including several species of shark, manta rays on the offshore reefs and the occasional whale shark sighting. Both bottlenose and spinner dolphins are regularly seen as are fevers of eagle rays and the iconic blue spotted ray. Expect to encounter green and hawksbill turtles, clownfish, lionfish, Napoleon wrasse and perhaps the elusive dugong. Large schools of fish can also arrive at various dive sites…

…all this and the Egyptian Red Sea is only a short 5hr flight from the UK!

At Regaldive we offer a choice of nine Egyptian Red Sea resorts and a comprehensive range of liveaboards. For help on deciding where to visit, speak to a member of our expert team on 01962 302087 or send us an email! 

Our Regaldive experts have an extensive range of diving knowledge and travel experience between them that spans the globe, so come by and let us inspire your next dive trip.

This exciting new diving show is innovative and interactive, with a range of high-profile speakers, multiple stages devoted to different diving disciplines and various diving challenges and experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting out, this show should have something for everyone.

We will also have a brilliant selection of deals, offers and savings available exclusively for the GO Diving show… so come by our stand and save!

We are offering a massive £1,825 off on world-class liveaboard adventures in multiple brilliant destinations worldwide! We also have a range of incredible Red Sea deals, allowing you to dive the Egyptian Red Sea from as little as £279!!

What’s more, we are also hosting an incredible free prize draw on our stand! Enter to win a SUUNTO Eon Core dive computer worth over £600! To be in with a chance of winning this brilliant prize, come along to stand 52 at the GO Diving show this weekend.

For more information and our full selection of incredible deals, savings and offers, come along to stand 52 at the GO Diving Show this weekend!!