The Underwater Room, part of the all-inclusive Manta Resort on Pemba, offers you the chance to sleep four metres below the surface and enjoy unparalleled views of the underwater world from the comfort of your own bed. Luxuriate in sunbathing and star gazing on the top deck, and lounge and dine on the water deck surrounded by stunning turquoise seas.

While dipping in and out of the warms waters that surround the island, divers can admire a wide variety of beautiful tropical fish species, manta rays, whale sharks and dolphins, in addition to brightly coloured gorgonian sea fans, corals and sponges. Those staying on the island between August and early September can also hope to see humpback whales as they migrate north. Make the most of your time on Pemba and explore the numerous dive sites accessible from the north and south of the island. Divers have a good chance of encountering mantas at Manta Point, while those more taken with overhangs and canverns can travel to Fundu reef or Njao Gap, where diverse marine life including turtles, eels and large triggerfish can be seen. 

The Underwater Room at Manta Resort can be experienced from a little as one night right through to the whole duration of your stay, our helpful team can discuss the options with you to find your perfect length of stay. Guests can add on diving and other experience packages too. This is an amazing experience for any diver, but an absolute WOW for honeymoon divers or those looking to celebrate something special. Stays on Pemba can also be combined with a number of safari and trekking options for the ultimate holiday.

Contact the Regaldive Team or give us a call on 01353 659 999 to book this unique experience and upgrade your diving holiday to Tanzania!

Whatever their preference, be it pampering in a top spa, getting active hiking and horse riding, or soaking up the culture in a traditional temple, we have several choices for you! For the diver in the couple, resorts with house reefs are a good option, offering flexible shore diving, or many dive centres also offer half day diving so that you can spend more quality time together on your next adventure - whilst still getting that all important diving fix!

Three Corners Ocean View, El Gouna (Red Sea)

El Gouna is a luxury Egyptian town built in a traditional Arabic style. The resort boasts a huge range of facilities so your reluctant other half will have plenty to keep them busy. Resort activities include an open-air cinema, a professional 18-hole golf course, a go-kart track, a museum, desert safaris, horse riding and plenty of other water sport activities from windsurfing and kite surfing to parasailing and snorkelling. 

The Three Corners Ocean View hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the centre of the modern and picturesque Abu Tig Marina, where you can find some excellent restaurants, a diverse range of shops to explore and a variety of boat tours. The Orca Dive Club is also located on the marina, so you can easily walk back to the hotel together after exploring any of the 60 dive destinations accessible from here, 10 of which are wrecks! 

Back at the hotel, there's a large swimming pool overlooking the Red Sea where non-divers could watch you diving from afar. The on-site Spa & Wellness centre offers a selection of wellness activities such as soothing massages and revitalising facials, and the gym is open daily. Steps away from the hotel there's a sandy beach with a beach bar and free sun beds, towels and umbrellas, perfect for ultimate relaxation.      

True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, Grenada

Grenada is a mountainous Caribbean island of volcanic origin. The dramatic interior is defined by cascading waterfalls, mountain lakes and tropical rainforest, whilst its coastline boasts 45 beaches. Grand Anse beach is the most famous on the island, with three kilometres of fabulous white sand and a tempting choice of bars and restaurants.

For active types, the most popular area in Grenada for hiking and trekking is the rainforest around the Grand Etang Lake, in the central part of the island. There are ample opportunities for hiking - Grand Etang Lake and National Park is a crater lake surrounded by lush tropical forest. A series of trails have been marked, and hiking them is well worth the effort. The scenery is breathtaking, with the chance to see a fascinating cross-section of the flora and fauna which make up this rainforest. The trails meander around the area's stunning waterfalls as well as the blue waters of Grand Etang Lake.

The capital, St George, is considered to be one of the most attractive towns in the Caribbean with its horseshoe-shaped harbour. No visitor to Grenada should miss the Saturday morning market at St George, one of the most colourful in the Caribbean. Most of the roads are in good condition and hiring a vehicle is a popular way of exploring the island, offering as much for the diver as their non-diving partner or friend.

True Blue Bay offers an award-winning restaurant, sailing and kayak hire, and local tours. Aquanauts dive centre is located on-site and provides half-day diving opportunities, so there's plenty of scope to balance fantastic diving, including wrecks, sculptures and colourful reefs, with other partner-pleasing pursuits ... 

Buddy Dive, Bonaire

Bonaire is widely recognised as one of the Caribbean's top destinations for diving, yet its appeal doesn't stop there! This tranquil and laid-back island also offers numerous bars with live music and entertainment, first-class restaurants, a variety of shops and plenty of fun activities. For those not wanting to dive, the gentle currents, clear waters, fringing coral reefs and caves make for brilliant snorkelling, and the sheltered bay at Lac Bai is excellent for windsurfing and sea kayaking. On land, you can enjoy mountain biking together or visit the nearby Washington Slagbaai National Park, which is home to over 150 species of birds. 

The friendly Buddy Dive Resort offers great value for money, no matter whether you're travelling with a dive group or a non-diving partner. The raised sand beach areas overlooking the turquoise Caribbean waters are the perfect place for soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails, and a short stairway down to the water leads you to some excellent snorkelling and swimming opportunities.   

Buddy Dive has its own fleet of rental vehicles available, so when you're not in the water enjoying the excellent house reef, you can easily explore the beautiful island of Bonaire, whether that's an adventure to the interactive Donkey Sanctuary, sampling liqueur in the Cadushy Distillery or getting a taste of paradise on a sunset cruise. 

X10 Khaolak, Thailand

Thailand enjoys a deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful and welcoming destinations in South East Asia. Patong Beach on Phuket not only offers access to some great diving, but there's also plenty to keep your non-diving partner occupied on land. Activities on offer include golf, white-water rafting and a jungle safari, plus swimmers and snorkellers may even encounter sea turtles and playful clownfish close to the shore. The early morning food market in Phuket is not to be missed. If you're after something a little different, partake in a Harley Bike Tour to see spectacular scenery and meet friendly locals!

Situated on a pristine, gold sandy Andaman beach and boasting five swimming pools, the X10 Khaolak hotel has everything you need for a holiday with non-divers. For those wanting to stay in shape, there's a fitness room with treadmills and strength training machines, whilst foodies can take part in an engaging cooking class, cooking up a traditional Thai three-course meal using hand-picked ingredients from the on-site vegetable garden. 

Other facilities include a pool table and spa, as well as an excursion and tour service where you can plan trips or take the shuttle bus into the centre of Khao Lak or nearby Bang Niang where you can find marvellous temples, local food markets and more tropical beaches. Sea Bees Diving Khao Lak operates daily dive trips for divers to the spectacular sites around Khao Lak and the Similan Islands where divers can see graceful manta rays and whale sharks.  

Alam Anda, Bali

Bali is renowned for its friendly population and beautiful scenery. The island has a rich cultural heritage, set against a backdrop of volcanic mountains that rise to 3,000 metres above sea level. There's a lot for visitors to enjoy in Bali, whether it's trekking in the island's interior, visiting historic temples or witnessing one of the many festivals that are a feature of Balinese life.

The relaxed Alam Anda offers access to some of Bali's finest dive sites, including the Liberty Wreck in the Tulamben region and Menjangan Island in the Bali Barat National Park where big fish like Napoleon wrasse, greater barracuda and sharks are regularly encountered. Werner Lau dive centre is on site. 

Partners will enjoy the hotel's wonderful natural spa, offering many treatments including a vigorous Indonesian body massage. Only natural products with healing and invigorating elements are used. The hotel also organises half or full-day tours through the local villages surrounding the area, including trips to Ubud, the cultural capital of Bali. Adventure trips are on offer ranging from trekking Bali's mountains to rafting down the Ayung River.

Komodo Resort, Flores & Komodo

A few islands along from Bali is the stunning island of Flores, sitting at the eastern edge of the famed Komodo National Park in Indonesia. You can see a carnival of weird and wonderful wildlife both above and below the water here, and it's only on these legendary islands that Komodo dragons still live and roam freely, making for a fascinating sight for all.

Another of Flores' star attractions is Mount Kelimutu, a volcano with three crater lakes, each with different colours that change unpredictably, and there are a number of lush jungles and cascading waterfalls nearby too, simply waiting to be explored.

Komodo Resort is situated at the heart of Komodo National Park, on a small, private island nestled between Flores and Komodo. Its convenient location means you don't need to go far to experience the best sites the area has to offer both above and below the water, and the resort offers full and half-day trips to some of the must-see spots. Trekking the picturesque Padar Island, visiting one of only seven pink beaches in the world, meeting the Komodo dragons, seeing flying foxes at sunset and snorkelling amongst stunning soft corals are just a few of the activities suitable for non-divers, whilst divers can enjoy diving amongst a large range of macro species including manta rays and sharks. 

The resort additionally has a spa and wellness centre offering holistic treatments in a serene setting, and a beach bar located on the shore with spectacular views. It's the perfect place for relaxation.

Atmosphere Resort & Spa, Philippines

The Philippine archipelago is home to spectacular scenery, pristine beaches, incredible sights and lively cities. Combined with the renowned Philippine hospitality and fabulous diving opportunities, it offers a truly unforgettable holiday destination for both divers and non-divers alike. One of the best known diving destinations in the Philippines is Apo Island, which is teeming with fish, beautiful corals and green turtles. 

On the south-eastern tip of the larger island of Negros, the small city of Dumaguete is becoming increasingly popular with tourists due to the diverse range of activities available. Take a trip to Silliman University (the oldest American structure in the country), stroll along the Rizal Boulevard, visit the Campanario de Dumaguete watchtower and admire the high ceilings of the intricate and majestic St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral. 

If your partner enjoys nature, just outside the city you can experience the refreshing waters of the Pulangbato and Casaroro Falls, breathe in fresh mountain air at Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, hike to Puncak Tanawan and much more. 

The tranquil Atmosphere Resort & Spa easily ticks all the boxes for divers travelling with for non-diving friends and partners. Non-diving amenities include a luxury spa, treetop yoga platform, gym, pool and fitness centre, plus guests can enjoy dolphin and whale watching. Excursions to waterfalls, hot springs, lakes, markets and cities can also be organised locally. 

For further inspiration on travelling with a non-diving partner, browse all our holiday destinations or contact our expert team today.

1. Bunaken, Indonesia

The crystal-clear waters and staggering marine biodiversity of Bunaken Marine Park make this a popular diving destination. In summer, the seas are calm and you can take in the full majesty of the vibrant coral walls which are teeming with colourful fish. The waters are also home to barracuda, Napoleon wrasse and green turtles.

2. Bali, Indonesia 

The chance to dive with seasonal Mola Mola, also known as ocean sunfish is an excellent reason to visit Bali in the summer. These gigantic and unusual-looking fish are most commonly sighted in August and September around Crystal Bay (though you might get lucky in July or October). The summer months are also a great time to spot manta rays and other underwater highlights such as turtles, shipwrecks and fascinating macro species.

3. Komodo, Indonesia 

A bucket list destination for most divers, Komodo is particularly special in the dry season, April to November, when divers can enjoy lovely weather and excellent water visibility which sometimes exceeds 30 metres. There’s a dazzling array of marine species to discover around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including manta rays, sharks and an abundance of critters. Underwater, you’ll find steep walls and coral-encrusted canyons, while topside you can search for Komodo dragons!

4. Azores 

Diving in the azure waters around the breathtaking Azores archipelago is only possible for a few months each year. We recommend diving there between June and October when average water temperatures are in the low 20s, visibility peaks and mobula rays gather around seamounts. The rewards are endless, from exploring the volcanic islands, arches and caves to encounters with some of the world’s largest pelagics and marine mammals. Playful dolphins, grouper, mobula rays and whale sharks (August) are all frequently seen here, with sightings of blue and mako shark possible. Whales also gather here, and you may even hear their song underwater if you're very lucky! 

5. Bonaire 

Known as one of the finest Caribbean diving destinations, Bonaire is widely renowned for offering exceptional shore diving and snorkelling experiences. The shallow reefs host hundreds of species of colourful fish and critters amid amazing coral gardens. The marine life is spectacular whenever you visit, but during the summer, the weather and diving conditions are superb and there are fewer tourists. Bonaire is also located outside of the Caribbean’s hurricane zone.

6. Lanzarote 

If you’re travelling from the UK or Western Europe, Lanzarote is the perfect short-haul option. As the Canary Islands are less than 100 miles from the North African coastline, you’ll get plenty of sunshine and low rainfall all year round; Lanzarote is also known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’. From June to October, air temperatures are in the mid-20s, the seas are pleasantly calm and the water temperatures are comfortable. Whilst diving, you can explore dramatic lava formations, caves, drop-offs and shipwrecks. If you’re lucky, you could encounter various cetaceans, but other marine species may include angel sharks, octopus, seahorses and rays.

7. Galapagos 

The unique ecosystems on the Galapagos Islands are nothing short of awe-inspiring and that certainly includes the marine life. Wolf and Darwin Islands regularly top ‘best diving’ lists, and in July whale shark activity is peaking. Whale sharks are just the start though, because as you explore the archipelago’s pristine waters you could encounter hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, eagle and giant oceanic manta rays, endemic Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas and playful sea lions.  

8. Cocos Island

The seamount ‘Bajo Alcyone’, near Cocos Island, is widely regarded as the world’s top destination for hammerhead encounters. Vast shoals are attracted to the nutrient-rich waters, creating a heart-stopping spectacle for divers. After descending to the rocks, you can look up and witness hundreds of hammerheads passing directly overhead. To reach this site, you’ll need to take a liveaboard from Costa Rica. Summer is generally best for marine life encounters, which may also include whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, whale sharks, hawksbill turtle, eagle and manta ray.

9. Sardinia 

Hailed as the Caribbean of Europe, Sardinia’s sparkling and rugged coastline is known for exceptional scuba diving. Beneath the waves, you’ll find an intriguing landscape of caves, corals, sea fans and historic wrecks. During the balmy summer days, the Mediterranean waters are warm and thriving with octopus, pipefish, eels and groupers, but you also have the chance to encounter dolphins, barracudas, Mediterranean bamboo shark and perhaps even sun fish. The best diving opportunities are found at La Maddalena archipelago - a protected national park - and Lavezzi (a marine reserve in southern Corsica which can be reached from Sardinia).

10. Grenada & Carriacou 

Known for exciting drift dives, wrecks, human sculptures and fabulous reefs, this Caribbean treasure offers idyllic diving experiences. Being the Caribbean, this is a fabulous destination to visit at any time of year. However, by travelling in early summer (May or June) you can avoid the peak hurricane season (July to November) and the peak tourist season (December to April). You’ll be able to enjoy gentle currents, warm water, beautiful weather and diverse marine ecosystems, and get great value for money on flights and accommodation.

To book any of our diving holidays, speak to our expert dive team, browse our special offers or search our liveaboard departures.

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.

Many divers turn to day boat diving or liveaboards for their diving holidays, assuming that heading farther out to sea means better diving. But there are many upsides to shore diving, including direct access to the ocean! In this blog, we’re going to cover some of the best shore diving destinations in the world and explore some of its virtues.

Malta & Gozo

Malta and Gozo are well known for their shore dives, with a multitude of options and easy entries for divers of all abilities. The dive centres escort eager divers around the islands, using their local knowledge to identify which entry points and dive sites are most suited to diver's experience and interests. Dive into the crystal clear waters whether it be a historic wreck, pretty reef, beautiful turquoise lagoon or cavern to explore. On Gozo, the Inland Sea is a unique and spectacular dive, as is Cathedral Cave, mainly due to their topography, but expect plenty of marine life and colour from the soft corals. Divers are spoilt for choice when it comes to wrecks around the islands, some accessible from the shore, often just a short swim from entry. In addition, the varied sites such as Cirkewwa and Qawra Point are where you can expect to see rainbow wrasse, octopus, dentex and barracuda. 

Image by Dawn Thatcher

For those who suffer from being seasick, shore diving can be a real blessing. There's no need to sit in a boat, and so it removes the motion element from your day. Eliminating the boat can also have other benefits, as it makes your diving considerably more time efficient. 

Bonaire

Bonaire is world-famous for its shore diving and offer first class facilities such as car rental packages for divers, giving you the option for unlimited diving. Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, the island is often described as being the shore diving capital of the world. The dive sites in Bonaire's Marine Park are marked by numbered yellow stones and extend the length of the west coast, each an entry point to a different underwater world. Expect plenty of colourful fish, soft and hard corals and turtles along the fringing coral reef. The local staff will pop tank refills in the boot of the pick-up or ‘yute' and you can drive yourself to one of over 60 dive sites at a time that suits you.

Image by Beth Watson

Ideal for buddies, families and groups, Bonaire is widely regarded as having the best infrastructure for shore diving. Exciting excursions to other areas of the islands, including kayaking from white sand beaches and snorkelling in mangroves, add to the appeal. This location is ideal for planning your dives and scuba diving your plans.

Maldives

We couldn't cover the best shore diving options without mention of the magical Maldives in the Indian Ocean. In the Maldives, shore diving is more commonly referred to as house reef diving, simply because the reef is directly accessed from the resort. Diving a house reef in the Maldives is normally unguided, and can offer you huge flexibility with your daily schedule. However, many dive centres in the Maldives also offer a schedule guided dive twice a day, showing you the best of their vibrant house reef.

Maldives is synonymous as a dive destination with private island holidays and luxurious overwater villas. Many of the best house reefs in the Maldives, such as Reethi Beach Resort in Baa Atoll and Filitheyo Resort in Faafu Atoll have multiple entry and exit points around the island, providing ample variety for divers and snorkellers alike. Highlights include an abundant and diverse marine life amongst the beautiful coral reefs surrounding the island resorts, resident hawksbill turtle, eagle rays and plenty of large pelagic encounters including sharks are possible to see on these house reefs. From the stunning beach at Vilamendhoo Island Resort, in South Ari Atoll, it's possible to encounter manta rays and whale sharks on the house reef from December to March. In Baa Atoll, from June to September, the house reefs and dive sites around the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Hanifaru Bay are visited by manta rays, many with just snorkelling gear even encounter these beauties.

Marine enthusiasts will fall in love with the beautiful lagoons, stunning beaches, and delicious food that each resort offers. Timeless ocean views and the reefs in the Maldives are a big hit with shore divers.

Egypt

Shore diving kick-started the scuba diving industry in Egypt, as the coral reefs stretch their way down the coastline and around the Sinia peninsular. One of the best diving destinations in the world, the Red Sea has crystal clear waters and an exciting underwater world just a few fin kicks away.

The vast majority of resorts from the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge, Soma Bay to Wadi Lahmy Resort in Hamata offer house reef diving as standard. Helping to keep the holiday budget down without compromising on the quality of the diving, you can choose onsite if you wish to pay the local supplements for boat diving. South in Marsa Alam, resorts will often offer both diving from the shore, conducted by jeep, but also house reef snorkelling. For those of you who struggle on boats or prefer to have a dive guide, this is the best way to explore a variety of locations (without the need for sea-sickness remedies). Shore dives in the Red Sea will be bustling with marine life, moray eels, reef sharks, sea turtles, and if the conditions are right whale sharks have been spotted.

With easy access from the UK, the Red Sea is a popular place for newer diver and underwater photographers to hone their skills. Unguided diving allows buddy pairs to take their time at each site, many house reefs have a sandy area to practice skills and get comfortable in the water. No pressure from a big dive group allowing you to simply watch that octopus for as long as you want.

Indonesia

Indonesia, in the heart of the Coral Triangle, is filled with gorgeous house reef and shore dives. Coral reefs filled with curious creatures, large and small, from nudibranch to bat fish to manta rays. Resorts in areas such as Raja Ampat and Flores and Komodo often have expansive house reefs, allowing unlimited water access to both divers and snorkellers. Boat diving perfectly complements these reefs, allowing you to dive, dive, dive.

A popular option for photographers, shore divers don't face the same time restraints you may get when boat diving, and you also have the space to capture that award-winning shot! Superb options for photographers can be found at Alam Batu in Bali and Dive Into Lembeh in Lembeh. The main attraction in these areas is undoubtedly the macro critters, with of subjects in all shapes and sizes. Visiting at different times of the year also brings new life and different species. Creatures that spring to mind include nudibranch, mimic octopus, frogfish, ghost pipefish and scorpion fish.

Shore diving is the preferred option for many divers, offering varied and highly rewarding scuba diving experiences, often with exceptional value too! For many, it's the preferred way to see the delights of our underwater world more intimately and at their own pace.

For more information about shore diving holidays, please call the Regaldive Team on 01353 659 999, or pop us an enquiry, and we will be happy to help you choose the right destination for you.

The Coral Triangle is home to literally thousands of fish and coral species, from mantis shrimp to manta rays, underwater shoaling sardines to thresher sharks. To add to this diverse range of marine life, scuba diving attractions including historic wrecks, plentiful macro dive sites, sharks and whale sharks, plus an amazing array of above water charms of secret bays and white sand beaches.

Where to go

With so much to see in the Philippines, this is one destination that really does cater for all levels of diver experience and interest. We cover the best scuba diving in the Philippines across Tubbataha, Anilao and Puerto Galera, and the Southern Visayas including Malapascua, Bohol, Moalboal, and Dauin. Here's a taste of the dive highlights:

Malapascua Island

This tiny, picturesque, white sand beach island is just off the northern tip of Cebu Island (which is usually the starting point for most Philippines holidays). Divers rise early in the morning to encounter the elusive thresher sharks that frequent Monad Shoals, the key area to have made Malapascua famous in the diving world. Manta rays are also prevalent here, mostly in the rainy season (June to August). A short boat ride from the island, and usually found on deep dives, the thresher shark dives are suitable for advanced divers. If you’re very lucky, a hammerhead shark may also pass by. Nearby Gato Island is popular with macro diving lovers, where they can find a plethora of critters hiding in beautiful coral reefs. Beautiful fan corals camouflage pygmy seahorses, pipefish and an assortment of nudibranchs against a backdrop of pretty swim throughs. Be sure to pack in a night dive to discover mandarin fish, and schedule a visit to the wreck of the Doña Marilyn.

Dumaguete & Dauin

Southwest of Cebu and at the southern tip of Negros Island are Dumaguete and Dauin, home to some of the finest macro dive sites in the world, alongside the biodiverse marine ecosystem of Apo Island. The small bay at Dauin offers enough to keep critter fans entertained for a week with mimic octopus, ghost pipefish, frogfish, seahorses, mantis shrimp and all manner of tiny creatures to find. This area is an underwater photographer’s dream with the variation of both muck and macro diving. For those looking for challenging dive sites and a passion for the otherworldly environments, blackwater diving is conducted. Dumaguete is also home to the Marine Protected Area of Apo Island, a short boat ride from the main island it’s one of the most celebrated Philippine dive spots. The island may be just three kilometres across, but its waters are teeming with fish, pristine coral reefs, green turtles and the odd reef shark. Each dive site has something different to offer, from exhilarating drift dives out in the blue to impressive wall dives with whitetip sharks and colourful soft coral gardens covered with reef fish.

Bohol

The region of Bohol is an ideal stop in an island hopping scuba diving holiday, known for its steep wall dives and home to the great diving areas of Anda and Alona Beach. Off the beaten track, the area of Anda is a scuba diving paradise, with a range of marine life such as reef sharks and pristine coral reefs. There are a variety of dive sites including several macro diving areas, suitable for any level of recreational divers. A day trip to the secret bay of Lila provides the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks. 

The islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Cabilao are generally reached by liveaboard. Impressive hard and soft coral gardens flourish in current-rich waters and combine with steep walls and drift dives to offer something for all scuba divers. The fast currents mean a good chance of spotting pelagic fish such as manta rays and a whale shark if you're lucky (usual season November to April), turtles and eagle rays also frequent these dive areas. There's also a lot to see above water here including the picturesque Chocolate Hills and encounters with the world's smallest species of primate, the Tarsier.

Moalboal

Along with the four previous dive spots, this is the final one to complete the Southern Visayas region. On the western side of Cebu Island is the idyllic Moalboal, suitable for any dive trip. Shallow dives on the house reefs brilliantly combine with a short boat ride into the Tanon Strait to witness the shimming underwater shoals of sardines numbering in their thousands. The colourful corals and reef sharks add to this area's charm, and is a regular stop on many Philippines liveaboard sailings. 

Puerto Galera & Anilao 

Easily accessible from Manila in just a few hours are the neighbouring dive spots of Anilao and Puerto Galera. Separated by Apo Reef, their proximity makes them an excellent addition to any island hopping scuba diving holiday. Anilao is known as the 'home of scuba diving' in the Philippines, and is a must for any macro diver enthusiast. Accommodations cater to underwater photographers with ease. Apo Reef Natural Park is accessible by day trip, and is famed for its dramatic drop-offs and sightings of turtles, manta rays, barracudas and large reef sharks. Puerto Galera is a lively area with a wonderful blend of action and relaxation, this area boasts abundant marine life on its colourful coral reefs, and is one of the other dive spots thresher shark can be spotted along with eagle rays and whitetip reef sharks. 

Coron Bay, Palawan

In the southwest of the Philippines lies an archipelago of almost 1,800 islands and islets hailed by Jacques Cousteau as ‘the most beautiful place I ever explored'. Palawan offers spectacular scenery above and below water and some of Philippines diving finest treasures. On the northern most tip is one for the wreck diver, a short boat ride from Coron Bay is Busuanga and the tiny island of Sangat. A fantastic variety of dive sites can be accessed including around a dozen remains from the WWII Japanese supply fleet. The wrecks of Coron include Kyokuzan Maru, Kogyo Maru and Morazan Maru to name a few. Accessible to recreational divers, many wreck divers consider the diving here to be second only to Micronesia's Truk Lagoon. 

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Central Palawan is the gateway to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site and MPA of Tubbataha. One of the world’s most isolated and best diving destinations can only be reached via liveaboard during its narrow diving season. Those that make the journey are rewarded with pelagic fish such as whale sharks and manta rays, large reef sharks and eagle rays, whilst sightings of tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks are not unheard of. The pristine corals of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park are covered in shoals of marine life. The conditions can provide challenging dive sites, so this area is more suitable for advanced divers. 

How to go (Resort vs Liveaboard?)

The geography and diversity of the Philippines makes this location the perfect southeast Asian island hopping diving destination. Most Regaldive guests choose to combine two or three different diving locations to make the most of their Philippine holiday. Our travel team have considerable experience in planning tailor-made trips to this region. Many have visited these areas so can provide firsthand advice and curate your itinerary to the best diving spots in the Philippines for you.

If you want to 'eat sleep dive repeat', then a liveaboard offers the chance to discover more of the Philippines underwater. Regaldive offers a wide choice of itineraries aboard multiple liveaboards, including the SY Philippine Siren and Atlantis Azores where you can visit some of the biodiverse marine ecosystem in the Coral Triangle. A Visayas itinerary takes in many of the central islands and can be considered an ideal introduction to Philippines diving giving scuba divers beautiful coral reefs and thresher shark action. Suited to the advanced diver, Tubbataha has exhilarating walls dives and vibrant soft coral reefs, and a change to see pelagic fish including whale sharks and manta rays. Seasonal itineraries to areas such as Sogod Bay, in Southern Leyte, also provide the opportunity to see whale sharks alongside some of the most untouched reefs in the Philippines, diving is much less challenging here so suitable for all levels of recreational divers. 

When to go

Diving is good all year round in the Philippines with average air temperatures of 30°C and water temperatures between 26-30°C. There are two distinct seasons: the dry season (December to May) offers the highest temperatures, but many regular visitors consider the best time to visit is the wet season (June to November). The heaviest rainfall is usually expected in July/August but with few rivers on the islands, and therefore low run-off, visibility isn't generally affected.

Resort-based diving holidays are more popular in the dry season, as calmer weather makes for smoother boat rides and entry and exits on house reefs. In Dauin and Dumaguete octopus season is generally October through to January, whereas frogfish are spotted in greater numbers from February to June. Fortunately for shark enthusiasts, thresher sharks are spotted on Monad Shoals, Malapascua, all year round!

Your choice of liveaboard itinerary is more likely to be influenced by seasonal weathers which often dictate the diving seasons. Due to its remote location in the middle of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha is generally inaccessible outside of the short February to May season, whilst whale sharks come to feast on plankton in Southern Leyte around the same period.

Above water attractions

Despite the fact there's so much to discover underwater it would be a pity to miss out on experiencing the beauty of the Philippines topside. These islands are home to spectacular tropical scenery, world-class white sand beaches, emerald rice fields, lively cities and vibrant festivals. Combined with the renowned Filipino hospitality and warmth in a true melting pot of cultures, when you visit the Philippines an unforgettable dive holiday awaits.

Experience the Philippines

Whatever your wish list, the Regaldive Team will help you plan the perfect Philippines holiday. Our tailor-made packages offer the ultimate in flexibility to meet your personal requirements and your budget. We feature a wide range of accommodation and flight options, plus the option to combine two or more resorts, liveaboard options and city extensions in one, wonderful holiday.

Contact the specialist Regaldive team today on 01353 659999 to find out more – your Philippines dive adventure awaits!

Azores

The Azores is made up of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean between Portugal and the USA. It can be reached within four and a half hours from the UK, making it the perfect place for either a long weekend excursion or for a longer scuba diving holiday.

The islands provide a convenient resting place for the world's largest pelagic species including manta rays (technically devil rays) and blue sharks, whilst the underwater arches, tunnels, caves and cliffs provide a haven for sub-tropical fish.

Beaked whales, sperm whales, fin whales, humpbacks, false killer whales, spotted, bottlenose and Risso's dolphins, turtles and more can be spotted from the surface between May and October, whilst diving conditions are best between July and September.

For those looking to delve back into history, the Dori shipwreck near São Miguel additionally offers thrilling wreck diving opportunities.

Where to stay

São Miguel, also known as 'Ilha Verde' or the Green Island, provides a fantastic introduction to the Azores both above and below water. There are direct flights from the UK departing once a week in peak season, making it an appealing and convenient destination. 

We recommend staying at Hotel Caloura, an excellent family-run and stylish hotel with a stunning sea front location, which is just a 20-minute walk from the pretty village of Aqua de Pau on São Miguel. 

Lanzarote

Just a 4-hour flight away from the UK, Lanzarote is an ideal destination for UK divers. The most famous of all the Canary Islands, it combines warm weather and water temperatures between 18°C to 24°C with great dive sites and the convenience of regular flights from most regional UK airports. The crystal clear waters also provide great visibility up to 30 metres, so you can discover the varied marine life living here.

Divers are well catered for in Lanzarote with its collection of reefs, caves and wrecks. The rocks are covered in anemones, sponges and soft corals and are home to a variety of marine life, including grouper, tuna, barracuda, monkfish, moray, octopus, eagle rays and seahorses. At certain times of the year it's also possible to see dolphins including bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins, as well as whales such as sperm whales and pilot whales.

Where to stay

Stay at the Labranda El Dorado for a comfortable base just a short walk from the Playa Chica beach where our partner dive centre is based. This attractive and spacious apartment complex was a previous Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice award winner and has two pool areas and beautiful gardens, making it the perfect base for a diving trip.

Divers have access to the best dive sites Lanzarote has to offer from here, and the bay is suitable for both beginners and more experienced divers, making it an ideal destination for those looking to improve their diving skills.

Malta & Gozo

A perennial favourite with Regaldive guests, Malta and Gozo boast some of the best scuba diving in the Mediterranean with a range of shore and boat dive sites. With great visibility, warm water temperatures, and striking underwater scenery including caves, overhangs and swim-throughs, Malta offers diving for all abilities from beginners to technical divers. A well-established infrastructure offers a variety of activities for non-diving partners too.

Malta's amazing underwater volcanic topography is a highpoint, and the island's history has led to an impressive collection of ship, plane and submarine wrecks that have really put Malta on the map. 

Topside, there's plenty to explore in the World Heritage City of Valetta and a guided boat trip around its impressive series of interconnected harbours is a must. The beautiful 'Silent City' of Mdina is also well worth a visit – make sure you stop off at the Fontanella Tea Room, where you can sit beside the castle battlements and take in the stunning views, whilst enjoying your drink of choice.

Smaller than Malta, Gozo is one of the few remaining unspoilt Mediterranean islands and a haven for divers. Arches and tunnels have been carved out of the coastline and offer divers endless points of interest around its 43-kilometre coastline of natural rugged beauty and great underwater visibility.

Where to stay

Designed with divers in mind, the Maltese Sands Apartments are just 100m from Maltaqua Dive Centre and include a spacious wet room for washing and storing dive equipment. Although situated on a quiet street away from the main road, you'll remain in walking distance of shops, restaurants, cinema, banks and the St. Paul's Bay promenade.

Sardinia

Located off the western coast of Italy, Sardinia is an accessible island in a great location, with regular direct flights as short as two and a half hours from the UK available. Known for its beautiful coastline, white sandy beaches, wonderful weather, colourful history and exceptional scuba diving, this mountainous island offers a variety of experiences for both divers and non-divers.

Just a stone's throw away from the north-eastern coast of Sardinia is the La Maddalena archipelago, a collection of 60 islands offering world-class diving amongst huge granite boulders featuring drop-offs, overhangs and swim throughs. There are 40 dive sites to explore here with many opportunities to improve or show off your diving skills, and for those seeking a thrilling adventure, the wrecks of the Angelika or remnants of a World War II bomber offer fantastic wreck diving opportunities 

Rich in marine life, divers are likely to encounter an extensive range of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods in the waters around Sardinia including moray eel, stonefish, barracuda, grouper, octopus, lobster and nudibrach.

Where to stay

Wonderfully located on the northern-east coast of Sardinia next to Palau's marina, the stylish 4-star La Vecchia Fonte Hotel is perfectly situated for a scuba diving holiday in the waters around Sardinia, the La Maddalena archipelago and even the southern parts of nearby Corsica. The town of Palau has delightful restaurants, friendly locals and is surrounded by picturesque olive groves. 

Egypt (Mid-haul)

Although technically not considered a short haul diving destination, Egypt is certainly worth a mention on this list for those willing to travel an extra hour. With direct flights departing the UK multiple times a week from a variety of UK airports and landing in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh only five hours later, Egypt offers an easy reach diving holiday and a mighty fine one at that! 

Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam offer perfect access points to the Red Sea, a truly unforgettable scuba diving destination attracting thousands of visitors every year due to its unique combination of spectacular marine life, welcoming climate and stunning scenery. 

Boasting vibrant coral reefs, wrecks, famous dive sites, large pelagic species and colourful fish, the Red Sea is excellent for a variety of different diving holidays. You could consider diving with harmless whale sharks, silky sharks or thresher sharks, going wall, drift or wreck diving in El Gouna, or diving amongst eagle rays, barracuda and turtles in Soma Bay.

Where to stay

At Regaldive we offer over 35 hotels in ten Egyptian Red Sea resorts and an extensive range of liveaboard options to suit different tastes. Whichever destination you choose for your Red Sea scuba diving holiday, you'll have a great combination of superb diving, beach relaxation and cultural discovery.  

Bon voyage!

Whichever destination you choose, you can be sure of a world-class diving holiday, starting with a warm welcome and flight times that won't test your powers of endurance. Bon voyage!

For help with planning your next diving adventure, call the friendly Regaldive team on 01353 659 999 or send us an email

A vast choice of caverns, blue holes, lush coral gardens, infinite walls and wrecks, both historical and artificial, mean that the Bahamas is one of the most complete dive destinations on the planet. There is something here for all divers, coupled with diverse marine life including all manner of sharks, dolphins, turtles, masses of schooling reef fish, and Bahamian national fish, the Nassau Grouper.

The Bahamas has earned a global reputation as a premier shark diving destination, particularly around Bimini. Unlike fleeting glimpses of sharks in other locations, encounters here are often intimate and prolonged. Divers can expect close-up experiences with Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, bull sharks, great hammerheads, tiger sharks, and even elusive oceanic white-tips, often seen near wrecks or in the company of wild dolphins.

Resort Diving in the Bahamas

With great all year round diving conditions, the Bahamas is ideal for those looking to combine excellent diving and snorkelling with relaxing on beautiful beaches and a variety of attractions topside. International tourist hub Nassau, capital of the Bahamas, is a natural starting point for a Bahamas holiday and offers an amazing variety of diving within an hour’s boat ride from the island.

Nassau’s vibrant culture is more than matched below water with spectacular coral walls close to shore and pretty reefs teeming with life, large and small. The eponymous Shark Wall, which drops from 10m to an incredible 2km or more, is a highlight, as are an enormous selection of wrecks. Here you can dive everything from historical cutters to artificially-sunk freighters, a make-believe Vulcan bomber and a twin Cessna used as underwater film sets in James Bond, Jaws and many other movies.

Liveaboard diving in the Bahamas

The variety of diving and atmosphere of the different islands makes the Bahamas an ideal liveaboard destination or equally good for those wanting to discover more of the country on a twin centre holiday. Regaldive offer seven to ten night trips on-board the comfortable liveaboard Bahamas Aggressor which sails out of Nassau and explores the beautiful Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and Freeport for Tiger Beach.

The Exumas are a 120-mile long island chain of 350 scenic small islands and cays which offer blue holes, swim throughs and incredible wall dives in the deep channels that separate the land mass. With up to five dives a day, divers will have plenty of opportunity to explore the crystal-clear aquamarine waters, thick with coral reefs alive with every imaginable ocean critter.

We also offer special summer trips aboard various liveaboards that embark in Freeport and visit the remote areas around the West End of Grand Bahama Island and the famous Tiger Beach, considered to be one of the world’s greatest shark dive spots. The exciting Tiger Beach itinerary offers the chance to encounter tiger and lemon sharks in large numbers, as well as nurse sharks, reef sharks, dolphins and numerous smaller species for a truly unforgettable dive holiday.

To find out more, call our expert team on 01353 659999 for a chat and a tailormade holiday quotation, or contact our team today!

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

What’s more, we're also hosting an incredible free prize draw on our stand! Enter to win dive equipment supplied by Mike’s Dive Store and Scubapro worth over £3,000! To be in with a chance of winning this brilliant prize, come along to stand 820 at the GO Diving show this weekend.

For more information and our full selection of incredible deals, savings and offers, come along to stand 820 at the GO Diving Show next weekend!!  

The name bull shark comes from the short, blunt snout and their strange inclination to charge (head-butt) their pray before attaching. At over three metres in length and thick bodies, bull sharks sightings in Playa del Carmen are a true diving highlight of the area. These, mostly female and usually solitary, apex predators come together to what is understood to be a breeding ground for the sharks. 

At this time of year, the weather is usually at its calmest and the cloud level is minimal, both of which make it an ideal time to dive the Cenotes and Cozumel. Playa del Carmen is an excellent base for exploring the Yucatán Peninsula and is a more affordable and accessible area compared to other bull shark experiences global.

Diving with bull sharks is only possible on special trips, which are organised by highly trained instructors to ensure the utmost safety and environmental responsibility. Divers on these trips also take part in a special education programme and need to have a minimum certification of advanced plus 25 logged dives. Two local check dives must be undertaken prior to the bull shark diving trip.

If you’re interested in joining a bull shark adventure, please contact us for more details of our Mexico dive holidays. 

Thanks to our partners in Mexico for this amazing video!