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.

With more and more families looking to dive and travel together this open up many destinations for your next vacation, scuba diving holidays have never been more accessible. We understand that each family’s requirements are different and whether you’re all divers, or you’re the only one with gills, or it will be your children's first time, and they're begging to learn, this helpful guide we’ll talk through our top destinations for family diving holidays, so you can spend time with your family and exploring the underwater world!

Malta

Short haul is often preferred, especially when travelling with younger children. Many are looking for a family friendly holiday that's good value for money, has a swimming pool and ideally a Kids' Club. Hotels with either family rooms or adjoining rooms and plenty of meal choices are key.

Doubletree by Hilton in Malta ticks these boxes for many families. It's also near Maltaqua Dive Centre who pick up from the hotel each day, if there are a handful of divers in your family then this allows you to be in a prime location night and day while having family friendly facilities.

Flights to Malta are daily from Heathrow and Gatwick and options from regional airports too, with a flight time of just three hours and short transfers on arrival, it's much easier to keep the children entertained! Perfect for a summer holiday.

Red Sea

Another family favourite if you can't wait until summer is the Red Sea, five hours flight from the UK this mid-haul destination is a popular choice for getting your first taste of the underwater world. Providing guaranteed sunshine almost all year round in Egypt, both the Sheraton Resort Soma Bay and the Jaz Fayrouz Sharm El Sheikh Resort tick all the boxes for a great family holiday. Both are facilitated by excellent dive centres who have experience teaching kids, ensuring each student is given the time to practice and to learn to scuba dive safely while in a fun environment.

Image by Mohamed Abdei Hady

Sheraton Resort Soma Bay is an excellent destination for some winter sun (February half-term or the Easter Holidays) with first class facilities at the dive centre just a few steps away. The stunning beach extends out to a spit, providing a shelter area ideal for the kids to take their first breaths underwater. This luxury resort also caters for the non-divers in your family, with an onsite spa and kids club, in addition to a kite surfing facility nearby. In the great scuba diving destination Sharm, there are daily pick up for the scuba divers staying at Jaz Fayrouz, and the rest of the family can play at the kids' clubs, in the many swimming pools all while staying in rooms that accommodate the whole family. Combine that with short transfer times and weekend flights, so no need for days off school, and all of our ideals on the family wish list have been ticked!

The Red Sea also have a number of liveaboards (a dive boat you stay on for the duration of your holiday) that are able to cater to scuba diving families. Once qualified, grab the kids and set sail for the open sea, discovering some of the best dive sites the Red Sea has to offer. Generally, liveaboards have an age limit of 15 (due to the depth limit restrictions of Junior Open Water). It's possible to conduct courses while on board, including progressing to Advanced Open Water or learning to dive with Nitrox. Contact us to find out more about a Red Sea liveaboard holiday for your family.

Thailand

A families holiday with added exploration, Thailand offers great diving and affordable accommodation in a beautiful area of the world! The warm seasonal waters make for an excellent winter get away with guaranteed sun and fun over the Christmas holidays, February half-term or even Easter.

Although classed as long haul, the total travel time from the UK to Phuket is from 17 hours, tolerable for older children. Transfer time to hotels are between 30 minutes and two hours, it's definitely in reach for adventurous families. Accommodation ranges from simple, ideal for full scuba diving families where the focus is the water, to luxury for those looking for a mixture of activities over their holiday. In Khao Lak the X10 Resort has a dedicated family wing, kid’s club, multiple swimming pools, direct beach access and a baby sitting service, keeping everyone happy throughout your visit. The scuba diving is suitable for all skill levels, and with a variety of marine life including turtles, mantas, and colourful corals even the experienced diver in the family will have an amazing time.  

Maldives

The Maldives is a well-known destination in the Indian Ocean for experienced divers, but it's actually a wonderful place for beginners and all the family to explore.

Maldivian Resorts are fully geared up to keep your family entertained, both in and out of the water. Many hotels offer a kid’s club, baby sitting service, tennis courts, spas, alongside both motorised and non-motorised water activities. Larger resorts such as Vilamendhoo have multiple dining options and activities planned throughout the day. The island resorts have shallow, sheltered lagoons where the family can learn to scuba dive in a stress-free environment. These protected waters also provide a safe area to play and snorkel with the marine life on the vibrant house reef.

Dedicated Maldives liveaboard departures specially for families provide an extra special holiday for travellers of all ages. These visit suitable sites for children and adults looking to take their first breath underwater, and for junior open water divers who have restricted depth limits. Instructors are available to teach a variety of courses during the sailing. Other activities such as snorkelling and kayaking are also available. Discovering the Maldivian atolls in a safe environment opens up a myriad of marine creatures including manta rays, nurse sharks, turtles and more!

Philippines

Ready to suit up and jet set to the Coral Triangle? The Philippines is a world-class diving destination that your scuba family will talk about for years. Although the longest travel time of the choices previously listed, this year round destination will reward you for your efforts. Accessible from Manila, without any additional domestic flights, is Puerto Galera where the fantastic Atlantis Resort hosts family weeks. This includes discounts when you travel with children, including them stay and dive completing free! These weeks not only allow you to save money but also means there are guaranteed for other families to be there too, what’s better than making global scuba friends to plan the next adventure with?!

Our team are on hand to discuss your family’s requirements. Browse our junior diving courses, or for more information about family holidays, please call the Regaldive Team on 01353 659 999, or pop us an email, and we will be happy to help you choose the right destination for you.

Having never been to Sharm el Sheikh, the Red Sea or even Egypt before, visiting this part of the world seemed like a wonderful opportunity to provide a first hand experience of the area as well as visit some of our partners. With this insight I would then be able to pass on key information to those who have never been to these resorts or Sharm el Sheikh like myself.

I spent time with two of our partners out there, one fantastic new addition and one long time favourite. The first was Shark’s Bay Umbi Village, a veteran in Sharm el Sheikh but a newcomer to the Regaldive fold. This diamond in the rough provides a unique experience unlike anything you would find in Sharm El Sheikh. I was picked up from the airport by their minivan airport transfer, no more than 10 minutes later I had arrived into a Bedouin ‘snow globe’, the first sight, carved into the cliffs face are their mainstay rooms that stay true to their culture. Weaving through the passageways of doors either side appearing as if from nowhere, felt like I had fallen into the pages of a children’s book.

The local staff all live on site in true Bedouin fashion like one big family. At the head of this family is the founder and namesake of this diving ‘village’, a man called Umbi, if you take a moment and ask anyone who works here about him they will tell you amazing stories of his life and true testaments of his character.

The saying “…you come as a guest but leave as a friend” is thrown around so much but never has it felt truer than when you stay at Umbi Village. The staff here sit and chat, they take care of you and would bend over backwards for you, until you realise that they’ve become more than just a friend - they begin to feel like family too.

You’ve woken up, walked out onto your balcony and took in the stunning scenery with a clear view of the island of Tiran across the water. Your tummy grumbles, reminding you that you need breakfast, after taking a brief stroll passed the Bedouin tent you reach the restaurant where a buffet is waiting for you complete with a cook ready to make your omelette whichever way you like. The perfect way to start the day.

What is to be said for the experience on land remains true for the sea, a short walk down their own jetty and you’re on one of their magnificent vessels that are capable of not only providing a gateway for day diving but also a liveaboard experience from mini 3-5 day safaris up to a full week.

The pristine Reefs of the Tiran Strait are just 25 minutes away by boat (or 10 by speedboat). Gordon Reef can be seen first as the wreck of the Louvila sits on top of her. On a gentle drift dive I enjoyed a large plateau of porites coral that was teeming with schools of yellow goatfish. At the drop off you might be lucky enough to see a white tip reef shark cruising below or huge tuna in the blue water. Barrels that fell off a cargo ship in the 80s have formed an artificial reef on the sand, housing territorial anemone fish and wrasse. I witnessed blue-spotted stingrays sheltering underneath the many table corals here and a hawksbill turtle fed on the abundant broccoli coral. This area enjoys currents from very deep water funnelling over the shallower saddles of the Tiran reefs – one of the reasons it is so rich.

The dive crew are on hand to make every part of your dive trip effortless then in between or after your dives there is plenty of space to relax on the upper sun deck whilst indulging in a delicious catered lunch.

Back on land you’ve rinsed off and got comfortable again and are ready for your dinner, arriving in the Bedouin tent is a glimpse into their pure way of life. The seating areas with cushions on the ground to sit or lie on is a comfort like no other. Once settled, you can order from their a la carté menu with features a wide variety of choices such as wraps, pizzas, pasta dishes to name a few. The chicken bedouin roll is my personal favourite. Finishing off your day with a glass of your favourite drink and a bit of shisa should that take your fancy.

Before you’ve even left this haven you’ll be planning your next trip to come back and see your friends.

Camel Dive Club is a resort that’s reputation is renowned. Situated in the centre of Sharm El Sheikh a short 200m walk to the beach, this is a complex comprised of a hotel, dive centre and restaurant, with each section requiring its own personal mention without ever feeling like they are separate in any way. This is a place that was intentionally and perfectly designed for the needs of a diver. 

The hotel rooms surround the training pool, these spacious rooms complete with large comfortable beds and an en suite shower room is the luxury you will look forward to after your diving when you’re sat on your balcony enjoying the evening sun.

The dive centre is the social hub, whether or not you’ve been diving that day they're always wanting to talk about all things diving. State of the art classrooms for courses and any tec requirement you may desire, they can accommodate.

Lastly the restaurant, Pomodoro, a delicious breakfast buffet to kick off your day or a classy evening meal to toast a fabulous day of diving, either way a food coma will be waiting for you at the end. 

Camel Dive Club is more than just a resort, it is it’s own little world in Sharm El Sheikh, one that will be always be there waiting to take you on your next adventure.

Speak to a member of our team to discuss Sharm el Sheikh diving holidays.

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

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

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

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

Charlie Munns

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

Image by Orca Dive Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

The first commercial dive base in the Red Sea, Hurghada is now a thriving resort that caters for both divers and none divers. Outstanding reefs and drop-offs are available, whilst Hurghada’s location also gives access to the legendary wreck graveyard of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas.

Regaldive works with two well established, 5* PADI IDC dive centres in Hurghada: Aquarius Diving Club, operating from the Marriott Beach Resort, and Divers' Lodge located at the Swiss Inn Resort.  These dive centres are well located and both offer a full range of dive courses, daily diving and snorkelling.

Regaldive offer a wide range of accommodation options in Hurghada, ranging from modern and spacious options, through to luxury hotels, all in convenient locations for the dive centres. 

Qualified Divers

Hurghada’s many dive sites offer an abundance of reef marine life and an incredible diversity of corals, including impressive towers and pinnacles to explore. Sha’ab El Erg is a particular favourite, a huge horseshoe-shaped reef that is dotted with ergs and is renowned for its resident dolphin pod.

The spectacular marine park surrounding the Giftun Islands is a highlight, with nearly ten sites and a variety of dive plans to suit all experience levels. There is enough here to keep most intermediate and experienced divers completely absorbed, including an incredible wall tumbling to more than 50m, drift dives and spectacular gorgonian fans, plus the opportunity to see larger reef species and the occasional passing pelagic.

For wreck enthusiasts there is no better experience than a day boat trip to the incredible Sha’ab Abu Nuhas which is usually available at least once a week. Situated about halfway between Hurghada and Ras Mohammed, this reef patch lies next to a major shipping lane and it is home to four complete wrecks. It is magical to swim into a cloud of glassfish on the Chrisoula K and the Giannis D and see lionfish stalking prey in dark corners of the hold.

Learning to Dive

Hurghada is the ideal place to dip your fins into the water for the first time. There numerous safe and sheltered sites that offer superb visibility to appreciate the fabulous marine life. Plentiful reefs sit in shallow water that is ideal for beginners. A full range of courses is offered at the dive centres and qualifying dives are undertaken at sites situated just a short boat ride away.

Diving Holidays in Hurghada

We always have great deals on Hurghada trips, whether you're looking to learn to dive or it's your tenth time to the Red Sea. To make a booking, or for more information, please contact our friendly, specialist team on 01353 659999 or by e-mail

Find out more about Hurghada here

Travelling with young children? Read Regaldive team member Helena's top tips for a child-friendly holiday in the sun!

I’ve worked in travel for 21 years which should qualify me for booking my own holiday. . . .  Shouldn’t it?! However, throw a child of school age into the mix and it’s a whole new ball game.

Last summer was my first experience of ‘booking’ a family holiday during the school holidays. I say ‘booking’ as we ended up with three miserable days in the rain in a caravan on the East coast of England at August bank holiday. My boys’ requirements were:

Abroad – failed
Hot weather – failed
Nice food – does fish and chips count?
Swimming pool – the kind you swim in and not the puddle outside our door from torrential rain that required wellies I hadn’t packed.

Don’t fall into the trap like I did of believing it's possible to find a last minute ‘deal’ in the summer holidays. The flights and hotels are either full or so expensive that it simply wasn’t affordable.  After last years’ fiasco, I vowed to plan this year and right last years’ very big WRONG. So I booked early. Very early!

With children aged two and six, we wanted a family friendly holiday that was good value for money and had a kids club plus a hotel that could fit us all in one room.  The Continental Hotel Hurghada ticks all these boxes and so that's where we are off this year.  They offer family rooms so we are all in the same room – tick! They had a kids club for the six year old – tick! Nice food- we’ve booked all-inclusive as it’s hot in the summer so the children will need unlimited drinks and ice-cream is always on the list (mine, that is, not just the boys!), hot weather and swimming pool – tick! And for those of you that have time to get some diving or snorkelling in, Divers’ Lodge dive centre is on-site too.

I even managed not to take the children out of school by using EgyptAir via Cairo.  I know it means a connecting flights with two little ones but it worked out cheaper, flights are daily so you can tailor-make your stay and their luggage allowance is more than generous – 46kg each.  Perfect for divers or mums with 10 tins of lactose intolerant baby formula and more than one pair of hands to carry it all!

We’re counting down the days...

Helena's top three family holiday reccommendations in the Red Sea:

1.    Steigenberger Al Dau
2.    Movenpick El Gouna
3.    Continental Hotel Hurghada

If you haven’t discovered Marsa Alam yet, this resort is one that really does tick every box. Boat Diving. Shore Diving. House Reef Diving. Dugongs and Dolphins. Sharks. Wrecks. Legendary sites. Marsa Alam has it all!

Well-known as the liveaboard gateway to the Southern Red Sea, Marsa Alam is growing in popularity for its land-based diving. The range of diving here is simply mind-blowing… and unique in the Red Sea. Combine shore dives along the 100km stretch of pristine coastal reef, with boat trips to legendary Elphinstone and Sha’ab Samadai (Dolphin House). Take a jeep safari to visit the stunning seagrass habitat of Marsa Abu Dabbab and say hello to Dennis the Dugong and his turtle friends.

Choose from a great range of accommodation to suit all budgets and holiday styles.  Our Port Ghalib hotels offer the best access to boat diving and evening entertainment in the marina. Or get away from it all at one of our beachfront resorts. We can tailor-make a flexible dive package to combine boat, shore and house reef dive options at most resorts.

What’s more Marsa Alam can be reached with ease from both Hurghada & Marsa Alam airports, allowing greater choice of airlines, flight price and travel dates. 

Discover more about Marsa Alam here... with packages from just £399pp, this destination is sure to exceed your expectations.

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

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

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

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

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

Galapagos Special Offer

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

For more information call 01353 659 999.

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