We are delighted to announce the addition of the beautiful Red Sea Aggressor II to our liveaboard product range, enabling UK divers to once more experience the world-famous diving upon which Sharm built its reputation.

Operated by the acclaimed Aggressor Fleet, the Red Sea Aggressor II is a brand new luxury liveaboard providing the highest standards of quality and personal service. Itineraries run from Saturday to Saturday and depart from Hurghada.

Highlights include the world-famous wrecks of the Thistlegorm, Rosalie Moller and Abu Nuhas. Guests will also dive the legendary sites for which Sharm gained its reputation, including the Ras Mohamed National Park and Straits of Tiran, featuring the stunning reefs of Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon; known for their extraordinary diversity of coral and pelagics.

Our Director, Andreas Elia, said: “We are very excited to be able to bring this stunning new liveaboard into our Red Sea product range. With Sharm airport currently off limits for UK divers, this represents their best option to dive world famous sites that have been thrilling divers for decades. Due to the recent drop in divers visiting Sharm, the reefs are in excellent condition and there is an abundance of marine life. With the addition of the Red Sea Aggressor II we can offer our guests a truly memorable experience, which is already generating a huge amount of interest.”

Demand is high for the Red Sea Aggressor II, so If you want to experience the best diving in the Red Sea please call us now on 01353 659999.

Regaldiver Tony G. recently returned from a marathon 77 day trip around Indonesia. On his adventures he visited three island groups, travelled 1,000s of miles and logged a whopping 133 dives. Phew! We are exhausted just thinking about it!

Tony started his adventure at the East Kalimantan, before moving on to the Manado in North Sulawesi, and finally Cape Paperu Dive Resort.

This is Tony’s amazing report…

"As this was to be my first visit to Indonesia, I was a little unsure as to what to expect. I had read about how good the diving can be, but thought that I should keep an open mind and just enjoy the adventure. As it happens I enjoyed every single dive that I made (133). There was always something different to see, from mantas and fast drift diving at Derawan Island to wall diving at Manado, muck diving at Lembeh to unspoilt coral gardens and fish life on Saparua Island.     

The transfers and ground arrangements were excellent, though at first I thought them to be rather ambitious; 77 days; 3 island groups; 3 overnight hotels; 4 resorts; 6 ground transfers; 4 water transfers and 11 flights, something was bound to go wrong. In the end, apart from a 20 minute wait for a vehicle at Berau Airport, all transfers and ground arrangements went according to plan.

I like diving; just being in the water is a pleasure for me, and I can always find something of interest to look at. Because of the amount of time I spent at each resort it was inevitable that I would visit a dive site more than once, which in some ways was good because I knew where to spend time looking for things of interest.   

I found all of the dive centre staff, and in fact all of the Indonesian people that I met and talked to, to be very helpful, cheerful, and it was a pleasure to be amongst them.

I have so many wonderful memories of my trip, but a particular highlight was one of the first drift dives that I made while staying on Derawan Island. At the dive site, after hooking on to the reef and floating off the bottom in the current, I was slowly engulfed in a huge school of Barracuda, so close I could have reached out and touched them. I was completely surrounded by them on either side, below and above me. The school was so dense that it was as though the sun had gone in and clouds had darkened the sky.

I was extremely happy with Regaldive; you answered all of my queries promptly and were most helpful in every way. I will certainly book with you again."

What an amazing experience it was for Tony, who is now back at home and planning another extended trip. If you would like Regaldive to organise your next adventure please call us on 01353 659999. Who knows where it could lead…

Despite us divers believing we are an adventurous bunch we still tend to fall back on tried and tested resorts. So the next time you plan to go away, why not consider a new twist on an old friend? Here are just a few suggestions:

Red Sea: Hamata

The small town of Hamata lends its name to the region opposite the Fury Shoal reef system. This is the most southerly diving resort in the Egyptian Red Sea. The remoteness of this area - situated 180km South of Marsa Alam - makes it the ultimate in ‘get away from it all’ diving.

The legendary Fury Shoal is right on Hamata's doorstep, offering over 35 memorable dive sites. There are over 80 types of coral to discover in this region, all in excellent condition and inhabited by a rich variety of marine species.

There are very few resorts this far south, but Regaldive offer two excellent options: Wadi Lahami Azur Resort and Lahami Bay, and with direct flights to Marsa Alam from several UK airports travel to this region has never been easier.

Caribbean: Grenada

Grenada offers divers an exceptional variety of dives. There are over 30 sites concentrated around the South West tip of the island, ranging from beautiful coral gardens to adrenaline charged drift dives where encounters with a variety of rays and sharks are commonplace.

In addition to their fine reefs, Grenada is renowned for its wrecks, especially The Bianca C: a 200m luxury liner that sank in 1961. She supports a large amount of marine life and has numerous points of interest, including the swimming pool and the bridge. 

For divers seeking something truly different there is Moliniere reef which has been brought alive and transformed by the work of artist Jason de Caires Taylor. His human form sculptures present fantastic photographic opportunities whilst forming a new home for marine life and give an entirely new perspective to the diver.

Indonesia: The Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan

Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of Borneo. The Derawan Islands are famous for outstanding diving; providing an amazing range of large fish species as well as plenty to please the macro enthusiasts. 

Located in a biodiversity hotspot, the Derawan Islands feature 872 species of reef fishes, 507 species of coral, and invertebrates including protected species such as giant clam, two different sea turtles and the coconut crab. Some of the islands harbour the largest green turtle nesting sites in Indonesia.  Furthermore, at Kakaban island you can visit one of only two non-stinging jelly fish lakes in the world.

East Kalimantan offers that rare combination of big and small marine life: the Islands’ remote location mean that dive sites are rarely crowded, marine life is abundant, and there is the chance of seeing something new each day. 

Thailand: Liveaboards

The Similan Islands are located 100km Northwest of Phuket and are best dived by joining a liveaboard out of Phuket. The Islands lay claim to some of the finest dive sites in Thailand. Thriving reefs with abundant hard and soft corals highlight the dramatic terrain. 

North of the Similan Islands the dive sites of Ko Bon, Ko Tachai and Richelieu Rock enjoy a deserved reputation for their big pelagic sightings. Richelieu Rock in particular attracts both whalesharks and manta rays in good numbers over the diving season.

With snow-white beaches set against picturesque granite outcrops above the water and spectacular dive sites in often crystal clear water below, it is not surprising that the Similan Islands are ranked as one of the finest dive destinations in the world. 

A number of different itineraries provide divers with the choice of trip durations, from 2 nights to 10 nights, and can be combined with a land-based stay on Phuket.

We hope our small choice of alternative resorts has inspired you to look again at your tried and tested destinations. So when you are planning your next trip, instead of calling up an old friend, give serious consideration to a new relationship!

Looking out of the office window and seeing nothing but grey skies and drizzle is the prefect motivator we need to consider a trip to somewhere totally tropical. With warm blue waters teeming with marine life, sun-kissed beaches fringed with palm trees and lush tropical rainforests the Caribbean offers travellers the perfect antidote to those winter blues.

Regaldive has a number of gorgeous Caribbean destinations to entice you.

Tobago
Tobago’s diving has a deserved reputation for enormous brain corals and thrilling drift dives. Mixed with the warmer Gulf Stream, the Guyana current flows along the island’s Atlantic coast, providing some of the most spectacular drift dives in the Caribbean. Divers can expect to see an impressive array of species including barracudas, jacks, tunas, tarpons, different type of sharks, rays including mantas and turtles.

By contrast the marine life on the Caribbean coast benefits from cooler water temperatures, less current and wind. Sheltered reefs of hard and soft corals, colourful sponges and a thriving fish population make diving the Caribbean coast a rewarding experience, regardless of your level of experience. This coast also boasts Tobago’s finest wreck, the Maverick, a former car ferry that was intentionally sunk in 1997 and lies in 30m.

Bonaire
Bonaire lies just north of Venezuela and is widely recognised as one of the Caribbean’s premier diving destinations. It rarely rains and the waters surrounding the island are rich in nutrients, giving rise to its fabulous marine diversity and beautiful fringing reef.

Bonaire is world-famous for its dive and drive packages, providing divers with complete freedom to investigate this beautiful island above and below water. Dive packages start with unlimited air access, available 24 hours a day. Shore entry dive sites are generally not crowded or exposed to strong currents. Divers often encounter turtles, dolphins, jacks and inquisitive tarpon. Seahorses, the island's emblem, thrive in Bonaire’s waters, alongside the rarely seen frogfish.

Curacao
Underwater, Curaçao has much in common with its smaller neighbouring island, Bonaire, with a fringing reef running the length of the west coast. The island's location ensures year round diving in crystal clear waters. Curaçao boasts excellent reefs with an attractive range of wrecks and has been voted one of the top three places for shore diving in the world.

The island has over 60 recognised dive sites, around 40 of them accessible from shore. There are also a number of excellent wrecks adding variety to the underwater scenery. The cargo ship Superior Producer sank just outside Willemstad harbour. Lying in 30m, the superstructure is covered in beautiful corals and anemones. A little further down the reef at Car Pile, old cars from the 1940s lie on top of one another, forming the base to a gently sloping reef. 

Grenada
Grenada offers divers an exceptional range of different dives. They range in character from beautiful coral gardens to adrenaline charged drift dives where encounters with a variety of rays and sharks are commonplace.

Moliniere reef, within the National Marine Park, has been brought alive and transformed by the work of Jason de Caires Taylor. His human form sculptures present fantastic photographic opportunities whilst forming a new home for underwater sea life and give an entirely new perspective to the diver.

Grenada is recognised for its exceptional range of wrecks. In all there are nine stunning wrecks to visit, including the world-famous Bianca C. The Bianca C is a 200 metre luxury liner that sank in 1961. Lying at a gentle angle the wreck supports a huge amount of marine life and has numerous points of interest, including the swimming pool and the bridge.

St. Kitts and Nevis
Sitting north-east of Monserrat St. Kitts and Nevis offer a lovely mix of above and below water beauty. The diving is diverse, with a wealth of coral colours on shallow pinnacles, walls, sandy gullies and deeper marine sea mounts.  The marine life provides divers with multiple sightings of moray eels, hawksbill turtles, jacks, barracuda and stingrays and divers will also find frogfish, seahorses and nudibranchs buried in the reefs.

On land, picturesque coves with brightly coloured fishing boats, laid back villages and lush rainforests offer the chance to experience a little Caribbean life.

Mexico
Mexico is one of the most diverse and exciting dive destinations in the world. From the world famous reefs of Cozumel to the once in a lifetime experience of diving the Cenotes, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula really has it all!

Cozumel is Mexico's largest island, easily accessible by ferry. In contrast with the mainland resorts, Cozumel offers a more relaxed and laidback feel and is in keeping with what one might expect from a true Caribbean island. The southern end of the island is a protected national marine park, and home to the famous Planacar Reef, named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. The island is separated from the mainland by a deep oceanic trench, creating a funnel for the consistently nutrient rich currents that guarantee exhilarating drifts and dramatic wall dives.

Experienced divers will relish the chance to explore one of the longest submerged cave and cavern systems in the world. The Cenotes are justifiably known as the jewel in the crown of Yucatan diving. Float in gin clear fresh water amongst stalagmites and stalactites, bathed in shafts of light filtering through the jungle canopy above.

With so many different islands offering experiences to suit every diver, why not consider chilling in the Caribbean this year?

Our delighted customer returned from a diving holiday at Siladen Resort & Spa, in Manado, with some very special memories indeed. Here he describes for us the evening 140 Green Tutles hatched and made an epic journey into the protect waters of the Bunaken National Marine Park: 

Who wouldn't love to witness a turtle hatching in person?

On track & Heading off into the sea...

"Everyone was finishing up their evening meal when Mike and Nathalie went to check the turtle nests. There were signs of movement! When this message came, the restaurant soon emptied as everyone left for the turtle nests.

"Finally, one little head poked out and the baby turtle was soon heading rapidly down a specially-prepared track to the sea with vocal support from guests.

"The second and third turtles emerged slowly. The second appearing very tired, probably because the rain had compacted the sand on top of the nest making it hard work to dig itself out. The third turtle headed off, but kept trying to escape from the track by climbing the side wall. After a little guidance it too was on track and heading off into the sea.

"While the second baby turtle rested, it was soon joined by more and finally a rush as most of the 140 baby turtles emerged and headed off for the water in a big group. After about 20 minutes more it was all over and all 140 baby turtles were heading off to life at sea.

"Hard to believe but in thirty years probably only one of them will come back as an adult to lay eggs on the same beach.

"When Mike and Nathalie were digging out the nest the following day, to make room for a new batch of eggs, one final baby turtle was found. It was very strong and it too then made its way into the sea."

To find out more,  call our friendly team on 01353 659999 or visit Silden Resport & Spa