Image courtesy of PADI
Over the past few weeks the country has been gripped by royal baby fever and diving holiday specialist, Regaldive, is no exception. With high hopes that the future King George VII will embrace the underwater world, Regaldive has put together a list of must-visit holiday destinations for families with young divers-to-be in tow.
The First Steps (ages 8 – 11)
Children who are eager to take their first breath underwater can do so on a Bubblemaker programme, costing from just £21 per child with Regaldive. With a qualified instructor and in the confines of a pool, children aged eight to 11 can take their first exciting plunge. The course lasts between one and two hours, includes a theory and pool session, and can be undertaken anywhere in the world.
On a budget: Seven nights’ at Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, cost from £568 per adult and £379 per child. The hotel benefits from a large swimming pool, lazy river, waterfall and rock feature as well as tennis courts and a watersports centre. A Bubblemaker course costs from £21 per child (to include equipment), and for adults, a five day dive pack costs from £80 per person (to include guide, tanks, weights and air for two boat dives per day) when taking advantage of Regaldive’s buy one get one free offer*.
Fit for a King: Seven nights’ at the small and friendly Buddy Dive in Bonaire, which benefits from two swimming pools, its own house reef and in-resort entertainment, cost from £1,331 per adult and £1,091 per child. To include flights, transfers and B&B accommodation, based on two sharing. A Bubblemaker course costs from £21 per child (to include equipment), and for adults, six days unlimited shore diving costs from £95 per person (to include air tanks, weights, weight belt and sales tax).
A Taster of Scuba (ages 10 +)
Suitable for children aged 10 and above, the two-day Discover Scuba Diving course, costing from £59 per child with Regaldive, offers an exciting preview of the underwater world and includes one pool and one open water dive. The course teaches the basic skills and concepts of scuba and enables children to experience the thrill of diving under the supervision of a PADI instructor.
On a budget: Seven nights’ at the great value Falcon Naama Star in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, cost from £387 per adult and £349 per child to include flights, transfers and B&B accommodation based on two people sharing. A Discover Scuba Diving course costs from £59 per child (to include equipment), and for adults, a five day boat diving dive pack costs from £131 per person (to include guide, tanks, weights and air for two dives per day) when taking advantage of Regaldive’s buy one get one half price offer**.
Fit for a King: Seven nights’ at the luxurious Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Muscat, Oman, cost from £1,278 per adult and £1,089 per child, to include flights, transfers and B&B accommodation, based on two people sharing. A Discover Scuba Diving course costs from £59 per child (to include equipment), and for adults, a five day shore or boat dive pack costs from £221 per person (to include two unguided boat / jeep dives per day, air tanks & weights).
Get Qualified (ages 10 +)
For children aged 10 and above looking for the ultimate dive experience, the Junior Open Water course follows exactly the same format as the PADI Open Water course for adults. Known as the ‘passport to the underwater world’, the course qualifies children to dive with a buddy and explore all the ocean has to offer***. Those aged between 10 and 11 can dive to 12 meters, while those aged between 12 and 15 can dive to 18 meters.
Costing from £226 per child with Regaldive, the four to five day course includes five theory and five pool sessions, as well as four open water dives.
On a budget: Seven nights’ self-catering in a private apartment in Gozo, which benefits from a kitchen, shower room, sitting and dining area, and terrace or balcony, costs from £391 per adult and £280 per child, to include flights, transfers and accommodation. A Junior Open Water course costs from £226 per person (to include equipment), and for adults, six days unlimited shore diving costs from £79 per person (to include air tanks, weights and belt).
Fit for a king: Seven nights’ at the beautiful Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa in the Maldives, which benefits from its own house reef, swimming pool and playground, cost from £1,917 per adult and £1,513 per child, to include flights, transfers and full board accommodation. A Junior Open Water course costs from £226 per person (to include equipment), and for adults, six days unlimited house reef diving cost from £330 per person (to include tanks and weights).
Andreas Elia, Managing Director of Regaldive commented “We all know how many opportunities learning to dive opens up, but sometimes children’s courses can be overlooked. With courses for children as young as eight, there’s no reason why our young families can’t make as much of the underwater world as we do”.
He continued, “Although it may be several years yet before we see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the two-week old Prince George donning their dive gear, it would certainly be great news for the dive industry!”
For further information, or to book, visit www.regaldive.co.uk
