News
Chilling In The Caribbean
Looking out of the office window and seeing nothing but grey skies is the perfect motivator we need to consider a trip to somewhere totally tropical.
With warm blue waters teeming with marine life, sun-kissed beaches fringed with palm trees and lush tropical rainforests, the Caribbean offers travellers the perfect antidote to those workday blues. Regaldive has a number of gorgeous Caribbean destinations to entice you.
Tobago’s diving has a deserved reputation for enormous brain corals and thrilling drift dives. Mixed with the warmer Gulf Stream, the Guyana current flows along the island’s Atlantic coast, providing some of the most spectacular drift dives in the Caribbean. Divers can expect to see an impressive array of species including barracudas, jacks, tunas, tarpons, different type of sharks, rays including mantas, and turtles.
By contrast the marine life on the Caribbean coast benefits from cooler water temperatures, less current and wind. Sheltered reefs of hard and soft corals, colourful sponges and a thriving fish population make diving the Caribbean coast a rewarding experience, regardless of your level of experience. This coast also boasts Tobago’s finest wreck, the Maverick, a former car ferry that was intentionally sunk in 1997 and lies in 30m.
Bonaire lies just north of Venezuela and is widely recognised as one of the Caribbean’s premier diving destinations. It rarely rains and the waters surrounding the island are rich in nutrients, giving rise to its fabulous marine diversity and beautiful fringing reef.
© Bilderlounge/Photoshot
Bonaire is world-famous for its dive and drive packages, providing divers with complete freedom to investigate this beautiful island above and below water. Dive packages start with unlimited air access, available 24 hours a day. Shore entry dive sites are generally not crowded or exposed to strong currents. Divers often encounter turtles, jacks and inquisitive tarpon. Seahorses, the islands emblem, thrive in Bonaire’s waters, alongside rarely seen frogfish.
Underwater, Curaçao has much in common with its smaller neighbouring island, Bonaire, with a fringing reef running the length of the west coast. The island’s location ensures year round diving in crystal clear waters. Curaçao boasts excellent reefs with an attractive range of wrecks and has been voted one of the top three places for shore diving in the world.
The island has over 60 recognised dive sites, around 40 of them accessible from shore. There are also a number of excellent wrecks adding variety to the underwater scenery. The cargo ship Superior Producer sank just outside Willemstad harbour. Lying in 30m, the superstructure is covered in beautiful corals and anemones. A little further down the reef at Car Pile, old cars from the 1940s lie on top of one another, forming the base to a gently sloping reef.
Grenada offers divers an exceptional range of different dives. They range in character from beautiful coral gardens to adrenaline charged drift dives where encounters with a variety of rays and sharks are commonplace.
Moliniere reef, within the National Marine Park, has been brought alive and transformed by the work of Jason de Caires Taylor. His human form sculptures present fantastic photographic opportunities whilst forming a new home for underwater sea life and give an entirely new perspective to the diver.
Grenada is recognised for its exceptional range of wrecks. In all there are nine stunning wrecks to visit, including the world-famous Bianca C. The Bianca C is a 200 metre luxury liner that sank in 1961. Lying at a gentle angle the wreck supports a huge amount of marine life and has numerous points of interest, including the swimming pool and the bridge.
Sitting north-east of Monserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis offer a lovely mix of above and below water beauty. The diving is diverse, with a wealth of coral colours on shallow pinnacles, walls, sandy gullies and deeper marine sea mounts. On land, picturesque coves with brightly coloured fishing boats, laid back villages and lush rainforests offer the chance to experience a little Caribbean life.
The marine life provides divers with multiple sightings of moray eels, hawksbill turtles, jacks, barracuda and stingrays and divers will also find frogfish, seahorses and nudibranchs buried in the reefs.
Mexico is one of the most diverse and exciting dive destinations in the world. From the world famous reefs of Cozumel to the once in a lifetime experience of diving the Cenotes, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula really has it all!
Cozumel is Mexico’s largest island, easily accessible by ferry. In contrast with the mainland resorts, Cozumel offers a more relaxed and laidback feel and is in keeping with what one might expect from a true Caribbean island. The southern end of the island is a protected national marine park, and home to the famous Planacar Reef, named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. The island is separated from the mainland by a deep oceanic trench, creating a funnel for the consistently nutrient rich currents that guarantee exhilarating drifts and dramatic wall dives.
Experienced divers will relish the chance to explore one of the longest submerged cave and cavern systems in the world. The Cenotes are justifiably known as the jewel in the crown of Yucatan diving. Float in gin clear fresh water amongst stalagmites and stalactites, bathed in shafts of light filtering through the jungle canopy above.
With so many different islands offering experiences to suit every diver, why not consider chilling in the Caribbean this year?
To find out more, call the Regaldive team on 01353 659999 or visit www.regaldive.co.uk.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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