Contrary to what scuba divers might think, a lot of action underwater happens close to the surface, so snorkellers aren't missing out by not diving, in fact, a whole different underwater world opens up. Reef sharks, dolphins, turtles and colourful reef fish can be seen just as easily when snorkelling and even divers wanting to see whale sharks and dugongs turn to their trusty snorkel for these incredible encounters.

Snorkelling is also a great way to build confidence in the water, which makes it a perfect accessible and affordable activity for all the family, young and old, to enjoy on holiday. So whether you're an avid longtime snorkeller, interested in trying it out as a first step to diving, or want to give snorkelling a go because you love the ocean, dip into Regaldive's guide to our five best places for snorkeling around the world. Embark on your underwater adventure today!

Indonesia

At the heart of the Coral Triangle lies Indonesia, with arguably the richest marine biodiversity in the world and warm waters. Snorkellers are treated in this area with fringing reefs stretching for kilometres right on many resorts' door steps. In Raja Ampat green sea turtles, giant clams, and giant manta rays are commonly spotted in season. The shallow waters provide an excellent home for the reef fish, and hours can be spent in the water over various snorkeling spots. Further south in Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, resorts such as Kalimaya Dive Resort have extensive house reefs with stronger currents allow the coral reefs to thrive and boat trips are available to swim with majestic manta rays.

Ideal for island hopping Bali is a great addition to any itinerary, the northern coast of Tulamben offers Balinese style accommodation and reefs that bustle with tropical fish, macro and marine critters. The wreck of the USAT Liberty is in surprisingly shallow waters, coming up to around five metres, on a clear day the whole 110 metre wreck is visible while snorkelling and is truely a site to behold. To add a taste of culture, a night or two in Ubud promises to deliver as does a sunrise trek up Mount Batur.

Red Sea (Egypt)

Egypt offers a truly unforgettable experience above and below the water. Visitors cannot fail to fall in love with the unique combination of historical and cultural treasures, and the outstanding underwater scenery and abundant marine life here. Egypt's Red Sea offers some of the finest coral reefs and ship wrecks to explore on the planet. It's also the ideal destination for UK holidaymakers with just five hours flying time, excellent value for money, year round sunshine and crystal clear warm waters.

Snorkellers have plenty of choice of Red Sea resorts to get the most out of their holiday. For ease, a resort with a house reef allows you to snorkel just off the beach and many have the option for boat trips further afield if you wish. The majority of resorts that stretch down the Red Sea's entire coastline from Soma Bay all the way to Hamata in the deep south offer excellent fringing reefs and plenty of incredible snorkelling spots in shallow waters directly from the shore, including Safaga, El Quseir, Shams Alam and Marsa Alam. Similarly on the Sinai Peninsula, Dahab is well-known for stunning coral reefs.

The Breakers Diving and Surfing Lodge in Soma Bay has been specially designed for water sports fans and guests can make full use of the hotel's spectacular location right on the water's edge. An incredible turquoise blue lagoon, and one of the most beautiful stretches of house reef along the Egyptian coast lay just metres from your hotel room. An extensive jetty allows you access straight onto the reef in either sheltered waters or on the fringing reefs drop off. Alternatively, in the deep south of Egypt, Hamata’s Lahami Bay Beach Resort house reef is like it has been designed for snorkellers, the several reef systems in the resort's surrounding waters act as defence from the waves and help calm the waters. There's always a protected area to snorkel in while being close to the coral reef system. There's even a few resident dugongs that live in the adjacent bay that many snorkellers see. Travellers have the option to take a day trip by boat to Sataya Reef (Dolphin House) where spinner dolphins are seen reliably.

Mexico

On the Pacific Ocean coast you’ll find the Sea of Cortez, the two separated by the Baja Peninsula, where snorkelling is adrenaline filled! Here sea lions in their hundreds join the Sardine Run of Magdelena Bay. Sailfish, mahi mahi (dorado), and dolphins join the party out at sea whizzing pass you at incredible speeds. If you’re in the right place at the right time a whale could pop up too. Alternatively fevers of rays reaching their hundreds flock to the Sea of Cortez between May and July, at this time orcas and sperm whales are also spotted. These marine and sea life encounters are conducted from liveaboard, many of which are dedicated to snorkellers.

The Caribbean coast of Mexico offers a much more relaxed approach with miles of white sand beaches, an array of cultural attractions and one of the most well-developed tourist infrastructures around. Underwater, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula sits at the very tip of the world's second largest barrier reef. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef stretches south for over 1,000 kilometres, and is considered unique in terms of both its vast length, and its stunning biodiversity with blacktip reef sharks and nurse sharks.

Snorkelling (and diving) is big business in Mexico. In Cozumel, many visitors like to grab their kit and snorkel directly off the beach to spot wonderful and diverse marine life there. If you're serious about your snorkelling, you'll want to go out to the main reefs by boat ride. From June to September, a whale shark safari to Isle Mujeres is highly recommended and offers the once in a lifetime opportunity to snorkel with these gentle giants of the ocean sometimes alongside manta rays, turtles and dolphins.

Visitors to Mexico also have the chance to visit the world famous Cenotes, an underwater tranquil world like no other. The chance to explore this incredible submerged limestone cavern system is one of the reasons scuba diving is popular in the Yucatan Peninsula, but snorkellers are equally well catered for. Float in clear fresh water with up to 50 metres visibility amongst amazing formations of stalagmites and stalactites, exploring underwater caves bathed in sunbeams filtering through the jungle canopy above.

Maldives

The best snorkelling destination in the Indian Ocean are the islands and atolls of the Maldives. If your idea of holiday heaven is trickling powder soft sand through your toes, and venturing beneath the surface todiscover one of the most exciting and exhilarating marine snorkeling destinations on the planet, then the Maldives will definitely meet your needs.

The relative isolation of the Maldives has led to a fabulous variety of marine species. Seasonal oceanic currents through the Indian Ocean push channels of plankton rich waters into and out of the atolls, attracting many pelagics like manta rays, sharks and whale sharks. There's also plentiful smaller fish amidst the beautiful coral gardens and picturesque, sheltered lagoons. Snorkellers should opt for an island with a house reef to get the most out of their holiday. The islands of Ellaidhoo, Filitheyo and Reethi Beach are all encircled by excellent house reefs and provide snorkelling boat rides to outer reefs. House reefs are often home to a variety of marine life including nurse sharks, eagle rays, black tip reef sharks sea turtles and colourful coral. Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa, located in south Ari Atoll is close to the Maldivian Whale Shark National Park, offers one of the largest easily accessible house reefs in the Maldives and both whale sharks and manta rays are often spotted here.

Bonaire

It would be hard to think of a more complete scuba diving and snorkelling destination than the Southern Caribbean island of Bonaire. Bonaire's low-lying geography brings the reef drop-off close to the coastline, making shore entries common. This is ideal for snorkellers, who can enjoy over 90 snorkelling spots, most of which are accessible directly from the shore

Home to the Caribbean Sea's first protected marine park, Bonaire's warm and nutrient-rich waters boast an outstanding marine diversity with more than 300 different fish species. The lack of rain on the ABC islands has led to an impressive underwater visibility which regularly exceeds 30 metres and is particularly excellent for photography. The fringing reef lies close to the shore at usually no more than 10 metres depth, just brimming with colourful fish and incredible marine life. Seahorses, the island's emblem, thrive in Bonaire's waters, alongside the elusive frogfish.

Bonaire is known as the home of activity freedom and taking your own itinerary by the horns. Our holidays include vehicle hire, allowing you to snorkel and explore at their own pace. Many resorts offer additional activities including bicycle hire, kayak tours in the mangroves, and expeditions to see the vibrant flamingos.

Special mentions

Yes, we said we’d give you our five best places to snorkel, but there are two more places we have to mention. Grenada and Lanzarote have underwater sculpture parks designed by Jason deCaires Taylor that are well worth a visit if you are in the area! The Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park and Museo Atlántico include several statuses that attract local fish species and creating new ecosystems, and help prompt conversation on the topic of art, nature, politics and today's society. Within less than 10 metres of water, these underwater sculptures are easily accessible.

For more information about snorkelling holidays, please call the Regaldive Team on 01353 659 999 and we will be happy to help you choose the right destination for you.

Grenada has the draw of reefs, wrecks and its underwater sculptures. With 30+ dive sites ranging in character from beautiful coral gardens suitable for inexperienced divers, through to adrenaline charged drift dives where encounters with a variety of rays and sharks are commonplace, it has something to offer everyone.

Nigel tells us, "I loved Grenada: it combines a terrific variety of diving with that famous Caribbean culture and stunning topside scenery. There are world famous wrecks, colourful reefs and plenty of marine life to keep all divers happy. 

I was particularly impressed with the experience and professionalism of the dive centres and their staff. It was a real pleasure witnessing the beautiful coastline of Grenada every morning from the dive boat, while sharing plenty of banter with the brilliant Dive Guides. 

I visited each of the hotels we feature and can honestly say that Regaldive offer excellent accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. Would I go back? Of course!"

For more details on diving holidays in Grenada, call our friendly team on 01353 659 999, send us an email, or visit our website pages on Grenada.

Thank you to Magdalena Fielden, owner of True Blue Bay Boutique Resort for this account of the first Grenada Chocolate Festival!

Last week the small island of Grenada in the Caribbean celebrated very successfully their first Chocolate Festival. Grenada Cocoa and Chocolate are making a name around the world for being one of the best organic and ethically produced chocolates and cocoa. The Festival was created, designed and organized by Magdalena Fielden, owner of True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Grenada and great fan of Grenadian Chocolate. Mrs. Fielden was inspired by Mott Green, creator of the now renowned Grenada Chocolate Factory and his devotion to produce a sustainable, ethical chocolate that involved the whole community. The festival was also supported by the Grenada Chocolate Factory, Belmont Estate, the Mexican Embassy for the OECS and Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort.

The week of celebrations started on Monday August 18th themed “Getting in the mood for Chocolate” with a visit to Crayfish Bay Organic Farm located near the town of Victoria on the West Coast of Grenada. There visitors experienced a historical tour of the beautiful estate conducted by owner Kim Russell, his wife Lylette  and his farm manager Yvonneand learned about organic farming and making delicious Iced Cocoa Tea with fresh coconut milk from scratch. Later on, a few miles down the road at Rosemount Estate, Mr and Mrs Duncan, the Estate owners prepared a delicious farmer’s lunch and show us around their flower, herb and tropical fruit plantation. The day ended at the Art and Soul Gallery owned by local artist Susan Mains and her family, where professional and new island artists showcased their cocoa inspired artwork. From beautiful batiks to extraordinary paintings and sculptures, this amazing exhibition showed very successfully for two weeks.

Tuesday continued at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort with the theme “Chocolate Indulgence”. It started with a Yoga-Chocolate Mediation session at Sankalpa Yoga Studio instructed by teacher Malaika Brooks. After a yoga routine, yogis learned a meditating way to appreciate the texture, smell and taste of chocolate and hot cocoa tea. A chocolate inspired breakfast designed by Chef Gary Birkett at Dodgy Dock Restaurant was served after the meditation; this was followed by a hands-on workshop conducted by expert Mexican Chocolatier, Architect and creator of the Mucho-Chocolate Museum in Mexico City, Ana Rita Garcia Lascurain sponsored by the Mexican Embassy for the OECS. Ana Rita taught an audience of kids and adults about “The Healthy Benefits of Chocolate” and how to make chocolate skin treatments using only natural ingredients like avocado, vanilla and cocoa butter. Families enjoyed making and applying the treatments to each other, and some of the kids discovered very quickly that the mixtures where edible and tasted delicious. Blue Heaven Spa located at True Blue, announced the offering of a series of chocolate facials and body treatments that would be available for the whole of August and September. Tuesday ended with a fabulous “Sunset Chocolate Champagne Cruise”, sailing the beautiful crystal blue waters of Grand Anse and Saint George’s harbour.

Wednesday started at the well-established and pioneer on Agrotourism, Belmont Estate. The group of chocolate fans where welcomed by owner Shadel Nyack Compton and directed to the Estate museum to the opening of a very emotional art exhibition containing pieces created by artists living on the plantations to the North of the island. The love of farming and especially cocoa farming was perfectly portrayed in the work shown at this exhibition. Each artist had the opportunity to explain his or her work and one even read some poetry specially composed for the event. After the exhibition, the “Bean to Bar” tour started by visiting the plantation and learning about cocoa farming and cocoa processing on the estate. Then guests visited the Grenada Chocolate Factory and received a special tour by manager Edmon about the making of chocolate bars.

Later on guests were invited to experience a delicious lunch featuring Chocolate dishes back at the estate where they were entertained by local drummers and demonstrations of the traditional cocoa dancing and walking the cocoa.  A delicious brief workshop about making bon bons was offered by the Grenada Chocolate Company before leaving the estate. In the afternoon, back at True Blue at Dodgy Dock Restaurant, bartender Akim conducted a Rum and Chocolate Tasting session showcasing all local rums including the famous “Under the Counter” traditional Grenadian rum sold at the local rum shops. A surprise chocolate fountain with lots of goodies to dip in chocolate was enjoyed by all.

Thursday was time to “Cook with Chocolate” a cooking class was prepared by True Blue Bay Resort’s popular cooks Esther and Omega showcasing a chocolate lunch after the class. Ester and Omega where at their best making all laugh when preparing a delicious chocolate sauce to be served with fish or pork. Later that afternoon, craft chocolatiers and professional chefs competed for the best amateur and professional chocolate sweets title and some very talented local and international chefs were discovered. Chocolatier Ana Rita did a demonstration on how the Mayas make the first chocolate drinks and all got to enjoy the delicious Mexican version of cocoa tea.

Friday morning was a rest day to enjoy the beach and visit the local spice market and Saint Georges town. At sunset, families and couples meet at Mount Cinnamon Beach Cabana to enjoy a spectacular beach bonfire and danced barefooted on the beach to the sound of local drummers, all enjoying delicious and affordable chocolate dishes and drinks created by chefs from well-known local restaurants.

Saturday was  “Glamour Day”, at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, starting with the first Arts and Crafts Chocolate Bazaar where around 30 local artists, artisans and fashion designers showcased their creations inspired by chocolate, cocoa and other locals spices like nutmeg. Chocolatier Ana Rita worked her magic again and conducted a talk about “The History of Chocolate”. She taught kids how to crush cocoa beans the old fashioned way using a “Metate” (a Mexican mortar used by the first tribes that populated Mexico) and taught them how to make simple chocolate paste and invited them to taste and appreciate the aroma of freshly crushed cocoa beans. Cocoa and chocolate beverages and food where served at Dodgy Dock Restaurant with festive music. But the highlight of the day was the glamorous and colourful fashion show organize by Marie Fielden showing designs by Modesty Grenada, Art Fabrik, and Veronica’s Vision. The clothing designs where exceptional and will be available at Art Fabrik, Too Kachi Boutique and Veronica’s Vision Boutiques from September.

The day ended with a sold out gourmet “Charity Auction Chocolate Dinner” at Mount Cinnamon Restaurant where Chef Gary Birkett from Dodgy Dock Restaurant, True Blue Bay Resort served the first course consisting of a Cajun and smoked duo of mahi mahi with white chocolate hummus and sweet and sour vegetables. Chef Nehanda Campbell from Le Phare Bleu served the main course consisting of chocolate spiced duck breast with wilted fennel & orange carrot salad and cardamom pure and Chef Andrew Sloley from Mount Cinnamon Resort served an outstanding dessert called Chocolate Decadence, a mousse, caramelized bananas, almond nut chocolate biscuit.

The silent style auction was a great success as several well know local businesses donated items like dive courses, day passes, jewelry, tailored made designed clothing, yoga classes, airline tickets, massages and gift certificates. All monies raised for dinner and auction came to a total amount of approximately EC$ 16,000 and will be donated to create a new Library and sick bay for Vendome Primary School in Grenada. 

Sunday the last day of the festival was celebrated by families back at Belmont Estate where fun kids activities like dancing, walking the cocoa and scooping cocoa beans out of pods were enjoyed by kids and parents. A delicious Grenadian Style Lunch with live Caribbean music was served and a small farmers and vendors market was interesting to visit. Of course no one left without paying a visit to the Bon Bon shop and stocking up with Bon Bons created by the Grenada Chocolate Company and Chocolate Goat Cheese from the Grenada Goat Dairy Project, a beautiful ending to a week of Pure Chocolate excitement.

The first Grenada Chocolate Fest concluded being a great success for all, participants, farmers, vendors and artists. Mrs Fielden looks forward to making it into an annual event that will benefit different sectors of Grenada’s community and entice future farmers and chocolatiers amongst the youth of Grenada. Dates have not yet been determined for the next year but hope to announce them soon.
Looking forward to enjoying some chocolate with you next year!

See a selection of photos from the Grenada Chocolate Festival on the Regaldive Facebook page

For more, please visit www.chocolate.truebluebay.com or Facebook.

If you're inspired, the Chocolate Treat Package is available from Regaldive throughout the year at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort. Three days of sweet treats for chocoholics. Ideal for non-divers or those who want some indulgent days off from diving! Contact Regaldive to find out more.

There’s no doubt that diving makes you hungry and the vast swathes of food polished off at lunchtime on any dive boat are proof of that. And with the average 45 minute dive session burning over 500 calories, there’s no such thing as over-indulgence on a dive holiday. Many of Regaldive’s destinations are known for having great food but divers looking for the best diving and dining should head to the Caribbean...

Grenada

Divers with a sweet tooth will be spoilt for choice on the Spice Island of Grenada where chocolate has made its mark on everything from cocoa tea to spa treatments. Visit between 18th and 24th August 2014 and join in Grenada’s first ever Chocolate Festival. Guests staying at the beautiful True Blue Bay Resort can enjoy a daily breakfast with chocolate specials, visit the Chocolate Factory and attend a multitude of chocolate themed cooking and tasting events.

Perfect for non-diving friends and family, the Chocolate Festival programme is also designed to allow plenty of time to ensure visitors can get their daily diving fix. Divers can burn off the calories from their indulgence by venturing below the water to Grenada’s 50 plus dive sites including the Bianca C and Hema 1 wrecks, adrenaline charged drift dives and an underwater sculpture park.

A seven night stay at the True Blue Bay Resort, departing on 17th August 2014, costs from £1,539 per person to include return flights, transfers and B&B accommodation. The Chocolate Festival Program costs an additional £125 per person and an eight dive, dive pack costs from £233 per person. True Blue Bay is something of a foodie heaven, also boasting the award-winning Dodgy Dock Restaurant and Lounge Bar, a unique waterfront venue well-known for its Caribbean with a Mexican twist cuisine, and spectacular sunsets.

Finally, visitors to Grenada can add a little spice to their trip with a visit to one of the many nutmeg processing plants on the island. As the second largest exporter of nutmeg in the world, spices account for a large part of the Grenadian economy and you can also see cinnamon, cloves, ginger and other spices being farmed here. Toast your holiday with a delicious rum cocktail or two in the Caribbean tradition but watch out for the local tipples which can be up to 80% proof!

Bonaire

Home to diving freedom is Bonaire, the top shore diving destination in the Caribbean and one where even the car licence plates proclaim this ‘Divers’ Paradise’. Part of the Dutch Antilles in the Southern Caribbean, Bonaire imports much of its food from other countries but has developed a reputation over recent years for excellent cuisine with a mixture of local and international flavours. Bonaire is also a regular winner of the Taste of the Caribbean competition where teams of chefs from 20 different Caribbean countries compete against each other for the title of Caribbean Chef of the Year.

Divers staying at the popular oceanfront Buddy Dive Resort benefit from superb access to the house reef with steps leading directly down to the sea and the many underwater photography opportunities that Bonaire is famed for. Conveniently located above the dive dock, 'Ingridients' is one of the best gourmet restaurants on the island. Here, every dish is prepared using fresh local ingredients to reflect a new style with a Mediterranean / European twist. Meals can be enjoyed watching the dive action below, or enjoying the amazing panoramic ocean view and sunsets.

Monday night is Lion Fish Night! They might look beautiful underwater but non-native lionfish have become a huge problem in much of the Caribbean where they breed faster than rabbits and can reduce native marine creatures by 90% within a matter of weeks. In Bonaire, as on many other Caribbean islands, lionfish are most definitely on the menu as a sustainable and environmentally-friendly food choice, and taste delicious too!

A seven night stay at Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire costs from £1,427 per person to include return flights, transfers and B&B accommodation. A six days unlimited shore diving pack costs from £95 per person.

Tobago

Laid back Tobago is all about diversity – on land, and underwater. One of Regaldive’s most popular destinations, Tobago’s position, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, allows for a stunning combination of dive sites and diving styles.

The Guyana current flows around the Altantic coast and the northern tip of Tobago providing some of the most spectacular drift diving in the Caribbean and attracting sharks, turtles and rays, as well as super-charged corals. The Caribbean coast benefits from the influence of the Orinoco River, whose nutrient rich waters support an abundance of marine life. The reefs are generally more sheltered here and boast colourful and thriving fish stocks and also the wreck of the Maverick, a former car ferry sunk in 1997 that lies in 30m.

Above water, Tobago is a similar melting pot in terms of culture and cuisine. A rich mix of African, Indian, Chinese, European and Middle Eastern influences informs everything from street food to fine dining. Fans of Indian food in particular will find much to tempt their taste buds here including the famed ‘Doubles’ sandwich (a filling of curried chickpeas and spicy sauce between two pieces of fried flatbread) that regularly tops best sandwich lists around the world.

A seven night stay at the Grafton Beach Resort on the north coast of Tobago costs from £839 per person to include return flights, transfers and B&B accommodation. A five day dive pack (10 dives) costs from £237 per person. This lovely resort is new to the Regaldive programme and offers a superb location on a hillside overlooking palm-fringed Stonehaven Bay. It’s also minutes away from one of Tobago’s best-known restaurants, the Seahorse Inn, which is as recommended for its incredible beachside setting, as for its fresh seafood and fine fare.

Call the Regaldive Team on 01353 659 999 to find out more.

Regaldive Team Member John was lucky enough to spend a week on Grenada recently. Here's what he has to say:

I just got back from a great trip to the Caribbean island of Grenada and I’m pleased to say I had a fantastic time.  I know it’s often said, but Grenada really has got something for everyone.  Plenty of nice reefs and a good variety of wrecks for divers. The non- diver will not feel left out also, with plenty to see and do if wanted, or just time to relax on some beautiful beaches.

Staying at a couple of the hotels we feature and visiting the others was nice, just to see what lovely hotels we send our guests to.  True Blue Bay was probably my favourite hotel as it’s a little bit different with its bright colours and interesting artworks.  Blue Horizons Resort was also nice with great views from the rooms up the hillside, but still just a short walk from the wonderful Grand Anse Beach.

A quick look around the Flamboyant Hotel confirmed its spectacular location and I also met a group of Regal guests there and they were very pleased with their accommodation choice.  Of course there is also Spice island Beach Resort if you feel like splashing out on some luxury.

The first day full day on the island was a non-diving day and an island tour was arranged.  This was a great way to see a good snapshot of island life and natural beauty.  The centre of the island is mountainous and covered in forest. There are plenty of waterfalls to explore, some a short walk from the road and some a bit of a trek through the forest. Interesting stops also included the chocolate estate, rum distillery and nutmeg processing plant.

So how was the diving? Again there is something for every type of diver, variety being the key. The location of Aquanauts Dive Centre is perfect for exploring the dive sites on both the Atlantic and Caribbean sides of the island and most can be reached in 10 to 20 minute boat rides.

Grenada is known for its wrecks, the most famous being the Bianca C, the largest wreck in the Caribbean. It’s a must dive for any wreck fans, although experience is required due to its depth.  We also dived some smaller freighters, like the Shakem and Hema 1. I was really pleased to take some nice seahorse pictures on the Shakem.  The Hema 1 was a very intense dive.   As it followed the Bianca C we didn’t get a great deal of bottom time, but a lot was crammed into 20 minutes - nurse sharks, a blacktip shark, turtle and a lovely big spotted eagle ray.

There’s plenty for the reef lover to enjoy as well. I think I counted six different species of moray eel, some of which I’d never seen before.  Of course it’s always great to find seahorses and I also saw my first ever frogfish.  If you are not a fan of cold water diving you might like to know the water was a pleasant 27 degrees!  The sculpture park is also worth a visit and its shallow depths are great for snorkelers too.

Aquanauts Dive Centre certainly looked after us very well; a very friendly and professional dive operation. I was also impressed that requests from guests were accommodated - the group I mentioned wanted to dive the Bianca C a couple of times and that was easily sorted.

So I suppose I ought to finish by recommending the best way to relax at the end of a day of diving or sightseeing.  There is a drink that is the perfect way to end the day and that is a Rum Punch made with locally distilled Rum. Be careful though, as they are often made with the 80% proof version! All in all, I'd really recommend Grenada for anyone looking for a combination of great diving, good value for money, with lots to see and do topside... which makes for the perfect holiday I'd say!

Take a look at John's photos of his week in Grenada on the Regaldive Facebook page >

If you're looking for a Winter escape, the tiny Caribbean island of Carriacou has a simple, laidback charm that's just perfect for getting away from it all. Carriacou means Land of Reefs and the diving here more than lives up to its name. The waters surrounding the island abound with life and colour and the 30+ dive sites range from uncomplicated dives on sheltered reefs through to more advanced wall dives. There's also a number of artificial reefs / wrecks to explore and many new dive sites to discover.

Regaldive guests dive with well-established Deefer Diving, run firmly with the emphasis on personal and friendly service by Alex, Gary and their dogs Scuba and Ocean! With a keen interest in sidemount diving, and marine biology, guests will benefit from their knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise.

Deefer Diving also offers a fantastic new purpose built 30ft wooden diving catamaran, which was handbuilt on the island in just seven months. Bobcat can carry up to ten divers plus crew in great comfort and with plenty of space. Music, snacks and drinks are available on board. A bimini cover provides shade over the main deck, while the trampoline in the bow is the perfect place for sun worshippers. Extra space means that certified divers can bring their families along to snorkel and have fun while they dive.

All in all, Carriacou and Deefer Diving offer a great option for divers looking to get off the beaten track, and for anyone looking for a relaxed holiday with a friendly, family atmosphere. Carriacou also makes a great twin centre option with its big sister Grenada.