Dive Worldwide Brochure Winter/Spring 2023

Winter/Spring | 2023

Outstanding tailor-made and small group dive holidays

Welcome

Welcome to our latest seasonal brochure; designed to inspire your next dive adventure with the very best diving and snorkelling holidays.

In this issue we introduce several new resorts and liveaboards in our usual What's Bubbling feature, together with tailor-made holidays to Egypt and Thailand. Our collection of small group holidays continues to grow in popularity, and we are excited to launch trips to Mozambique and Bohol. We also bring you some iconic bucket list liveaboard adventures, hidden gems in Indonesia, the top reasons to visit the Philippines, seasonal escapes, a client trip report from Bali and more.

We have several new members of the Dive Team who are highly experienced divers and have travelled extensively – see pages 18-19 to find out more about all the team and their expertise!

On every holiday booked with us a contribution is made to a marine conservation charity, and we're

delighted to have recently donated £3,000 to our partners at the Shark Trust. A huge thank you to all our clients who contributed and made this possible.

To ensure you are first to read about our new trips, special events and offers visit our website and sign up to receive our regular e-newsletters. We look forward to welcoming you on your next dive adventure.

The Dive Worldwide Team

A Message from the Shark Trust

From shallow seas to open oceans, sharks and rays are some of the most fascinating and charismatic of marine life. However, of the 1,200 species currently recorded, over a third are threatened with extinction and require urgent conservation action. In every single case, the primary threat is overfishing, caused by excessive and poorly managed fisheries.

Over the last 25 years, the Shark Trust has been committed to forging a better future for these extraordinary animals. The Trust has its fingerprints on many of the most vital advances in global shark conservation, whether protecting threatened species, clamping down on finning, controlling excessive fisheries or educating the public. At its core, the Shark Trust is passionate about working in partnership, getting people involved and harnessing the power of collective action.

With progress in shark conservation reliant on science, data is vital. Citizen science projects enable divers and water users to gather and make use of sightings. If you spot a shark or ray, don't let the experience go to waste, you can record your sighting or take part in the annual Great Shark Snapshot on the Citizen Science website.

And it's not just sightings that can be put to good use. You can use your voice. The Trust's Big Shark Pledge allows you to register your support for oceanic sharks and become part of a community for change. To join the movement and find out more visit the website www.bigsharkpledge.org

our Dive Team to plan your next diving adventure

Contents

Our Diving Holidays

We offer exceptional tailor-made and small group liveaboard and resort-based dive holidays in over 200 destinations worldwide. Our holidays cater for beginners and experienced divers, specific interests such as muck, wreck, technical, underwater photography or particular marine life such as sharks and rays. From liveaboards to holidays that blend diving and topside adventure, family diving breaks to trips ideal for single travellers, we've got it covered. With over 20 years' experience, our friendly Dive Team includes highly experienced divers who take pleasure in hand-picking the best diving and snorkelling experiences for you!

Liveaboard Adventures

We offer the widest range of liveaboards in the UK, including a growing range of exclusive departures. Liveaboards allow divers to explore areas beyond the reach of dive resorts, transporting you to some of the most remote and spectacular diving destinations on Earth for world-class diving.

Resort-Based Holidays

We feature a wealth of resorts around the world to suit all tastes and budgets. As a specialist diving tour operator, we select resorts with on-site dive centres which offer a friendly, professional service and excellent diving. Our portfolio of accommodation options range from stylish resorts to smaller, characterful hotels and guesthouses.

Small Group Diving Adventures

Our collection of small group adventures has expanded over the years and we now offer departures to Indonesia, the Maldives, Philippines, the Galapagos and St Helena amongst others. All these trips offer a unique experience, superb diving, great value and plenty of camaraderie along the way!

Opening Hours

We're open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and also on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm in January, February and March.

Holiday prices are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation, transfers and diving, except where specified. Prices correct at time of print (January 2023).

Front cover image: Risbecia Bullockii nudibranch by Saeed Rashid. See page 6 for our adventure to Lembeh Strait & Raja Ampat with Saeed.

Join a Group Diving Adventure

Our small group diving holidays are hugely rewarding, allowing you to dive with like-minded people, make friends and experience some superb diving. Opposite we feature six fantastic small group holidays. Each unique adventure is designed to maximise your diving experience with incredible photography opportunities and memorable megafauna encounters around the world.

Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza

Experience camaraderie, exceptional diving and megafauna encounters on our small group departure to the Maldives' South Ari Atoll. Accompanied by whale shark expert Chloe Winn from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme encounter whale sharks and manta rays and benefit from Chloe's expertise.

Departs 30 Apr 2023

Group size: 10

8 days from £2,495 excl. flights (single supp. from £800)

Mozambique Shark Diving Expedition

Shark lovers will delight in this new adventure to Mozambique's best diving regions. Beginning in the diving hotspot of Morrungulo, this small group trip also visits Tofo before heading south to finish at Ponto do Ouro with the chance to see a variety of shark species including tiger, hammerhead, leopard, grey reef and whale shark.

Departs 30 Apr & 20 Nov 2023

Group size: 8 14 days from £3,245

LIMITEDSPACE AVAILABLE

Dive Bohol's Secret Wonders

Anda is a little explored area on the east coast of Bohol in the Philippines with fascinating dive sites away from the crowds. Join award-winning writer and photographer Simon Rogerson and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded divers on this adventure to discover the diversity of marine life and unique experiences on this emerald isle.

Departs 7 Jun 2023 - Group size: 12

12 days from £3,545 (single supp. from £795)

Optional Malapascua extension 6 days from £795

Muck & Magic with Saeed Rashid

Join underwater photographer and dive journalist Saeed Rashid on our group trip to Lembeh Strait and Raja Ampat in Indonesia. This trip is aimed at marine life lovers, budding underwater photographers of all levels looking to improve their skills and those simply wishing to enjoy the camaraderie of a group.

Departs 4 Jul 2023 - Group size: 10

13 days from £3,045 (single supp. £350)

Optional Raja Ampat extension 8 days from £1,975

Galapagos Whale Shark Expedition

For a short time each year, large numbers of whale sharks gather in the waters of St Helena Island, ensuring an intimate experience. Join cameraman and marine conservationist Danny Copeland on this remote Atlantic outpost in prime whale shark season to uncover the mysteries of St Helena with experts and like-minded divers.

Departs 15 Feb 2024

Group size: 12 12 days from £4,375

The ultimate liveaboard trip for whale shark enthusiasts, this unique dive safari cruises the Galapagos Islands during prime whale shark season under the guidance of marine biologist and whale shark expert, Sofía Green Iturralde. This departure supports the vital and unique research of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project.

Departs 23 Sep 2024

Group size: 15 10 days from £6,995

To book your place, request a day-to-day itinerary, or for further details please contact our expert Dive Team.

Muck & Magic Indonesia

Popular underwater photographer Saeed Rashid led our Muck & Magic tour to Bunaken National Marine Park & Lembeh Strait in 2022. Here he shares highlights from the trip and what to expect on this year's adventure, which returns to Lembeh and takes in the iconic Raja Ampat on an optional extension.

Northern Sulawesi is an incredible place. It has two distinct sides - the weird world of muck diving in Lembeh Strait and the magical blue water of Bunaken National Park, which I affectionately refer to as the 'Muck and Magic' of Sulawesi.

I started my recent trip off by diving those magical blue waters of Bunaken. You first notice the abundance of fish life as you enter the water, but Bunaken is famous for turtles. Massive sleeping green turtles and smaller hawksbills, often eating the soft coral and sponges, can be found along the reef wall. I remember my first trip here many years ago and was wowed by the number of turtles we saw, and these numbers seem to increase every time I return. There are now more turtles here than anywhere else I've been lucky enough to dive.

Diving into Lembeh, the darkness is due to the black volcanic sand typical of the area. You would think that this doesn't make it sound like an attractive diving location, but it's incredible. You'll hear stories from divers returning year after year because there truly is no other place like Lembeh. This small area probably generates more competition-winning underwater images than any other location in the world.

Looking for critters is a fine art, and even though I've been many times, I rely on the amazing eyes of our dive guides, who have some of the sharpest in the business. If you aren't a photographer, my top tip is to pack a magnifying glass and take it diving with you. Lembeh also has a 15 divers per site rule meaning you're never likely to see people from other resorts underwater, so this gives you a very private experience.

This year, we're once again exploring the magical muck diving of Lembeh Strait, along with the stunning coral reef sites of northern Lembeh. For those looking for more magic, we're also offering an optional extension to Raja Ampat to experience one of the world's most biodiverse regions. I do hope you can join me.

Muck & Magic with Saeed Rashid

Underwater photographer and dive journalist Saeed Rashid visits Lembeh Strait and Raja Ampat in Indonesia during summer, allowing marine life lovers and keen underwater photographers to learn from his expertise

Departs 4 Jul 2023 - Group size: 10 13 days from £3,045 (single supp. £350) Raja Ampat extension 8 days from £1,975

An Experience of a Lifetime Galapagos Islands

Diving in the Galapagos is an experience like no other. Every dive site has different topography and wildlife awaiting, and every dive trip involves new surprises that come with diving in a rich and protected environment. Marine Biologist Sofía Green Iturralde describes what to expect on our Galapagos Whale Shark Expedition.

On our last expedition we had a journey that provided the trip of a lifetime. We began by diving at the foothold of the Galapagos' tallest volcano, Wolf Volcano, on Isabela Island. Here lies a dive site called Cape Marshall, also known as the City of Mantas, nicknamed appropriately for the fantastic encounters we divers were about to experience.

Although water conditions are not perfect in the Galapagos, and waters can be greener than in other dive sites, these indicate high levels of nutrients that attract impressive marine megafauna such as the oceanic manta rays we encountered underwater. We swam beneath these giants who danced above us, their bodies spanning over five metres wide.

Over the next few days, we moved to the far northern region of the Galapagos where the sharkiest

waters in the world await - the waters around Darwin and Wolf Islands. Here we encountered hundreds of hammerheads and experienced close encounters with Galapagos, whitetip reef sharks, oceanic black-tip sharks and more. As we were diving, surrounded by sharks, we could hear the whistles of bottlenose dolphins, and an entire pod swam over our heads. As so much was going on, it was hard to decide which direction to look.

On this expedition, we were very fortunate and had the chance to swim with a humpback whale and her calf. The mother, although aware of the divers, did not shy away. Instead, she floated in the water and allowed us to watch from a respectful distance as she hung in the water, supporting her calf, surrounded by more bottlenose dolphins, who seemed to be playing with the whales.

The week of diving culminated in a completely different scenario. We moved west of the archipelago, where cold waters bring different life for divers to encounter. Here we went diving with playful sea lions who danced around us, we spotted the endemic Galapagos bullhead shark and red-lipped batfish and travelled to the past as we jumped into the water with present-day dinosaurs - marine iguanas.

Every week of diving in the Galapagos is different, yet every week provides the trip of a lifetime.

Galapagos Whale Shark Expedition

The ultimate trip for megafauna enthusiasts, this unique dive safari cruises the Galapagos Islands during whale shark season under the guidance of marine biologist and whale shark expert, Sofía Green Iturralde.

Departs 23 Sep 2024

Group size: 15 10 days from £6,995

Bucket List Liveaboard Adventures

Many of the world's finest diving encounters can only be experienced by liveaboard. From remote reefs and atolls to world-class wreck diving, thrilling big fish encounters to incredible biodiversity, our exclusive range of incredible liveaboard experiences will not disappoint. Here we feature a few liveaboard adventures to add to your bucket list!

Bringing you the world's finest diving experiences is what makes us tick. That's why we're immensely proud to offer you exclusive UK access and fabulous deals to the world's most sought-after liveaboard destinations and journeys.

Our exclusive liveaboard adventures all come with the following assurances, and we offer departure dates through to 2025.

Quality, guaranteed

Hand-picked departures

Lower deposits & early booking incentives

Contact our Dive Team to plan your next diving adventure

Alor, Indonesia

Experience a kaleidoscope of colour and jaw-dropping biodiversity on this unique liveaboard expedition. Seldom visited by liveaboards, this region in the south-east of Indonesia boasts diverse reefs, world-class muck diving sites, and some fantastic underwater topography. In addition to a plethora of rare, smaller marine life, this itinerary is timed to bring the chance of hammerhead and thresher shark encounters.

Dive Alor

11 days from £4,945

Bimini & Tiger Beach, Bahamas

With so many islands and dive sites to explore, a liveaboard is one of the most popular ways to dive the Bahamas. Thrilling shark encounters await, along with superb reef dives and fascinating wrecks. Join an extended itinerary taking in Bimini and Grand Bahama for the ultimate adventure, with the chance to come face to face with hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, lemon sharks and more.

Dive the Bahamas

8 days from £3,475

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

A bucket list destination for all divers, the Galapagos plays host to unique and awe-inspiring wildlife encounters both above and below the water. Liveaboards head to the remote Wolf & Darwin Islands, where huge whale sharks are seen from June through to November. Outside of these months, walls of hammerheads and manta rays can be seen, with extended itineraries occasionally available.

Dive the Galapagos

8 days from £5,350

Palau

Dive Palau by liveaboard to appreciate this island gem in the western Pacific. The world's first shark sanctuary, Palau dazzles with its clear waters, healthy reefs, fascinating wrecks and superb shark encounters. Palau has some of the world's most impressive marine life, including Napoleon wrasse and barracuda. Join a special spawning departure to witness its incredible aggregations and spectacular mating dances.

Dive Palau

8 days from £3,345

Socorro, Mexico

A diving mecca to rival any big fish dive destination, Mexico's Socorro Islands are acclaimed for majestic manta ray sightings, schooling fish and pelagics. Divers may also encounter up to seven species of shark, including silvertips, Galapagos, tiger and whale sharks, plus dolphins and calving humpback whales in season. Ask about our extended ten-night adventures which bring you even more of the action!

Dive Socorro

9 days from £3,945

Bikini Lagoon, Marshall Islands

Embark on a remarkable liveaboard expedition to Bikini Atoll and dive the legendary Ghost Fleet. The pinnacle of wreck diving for serious aficionados and technical divers, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bikini Lagoon is the final resting place for some of the most significant warships in history. These itineraries are only suitable for those with appropriate technical qualifications and wreck diving experience.

Dive Bikini Lagoon

12 days from £5,325

Prices are based on two persons sharing including liveaboard, meals and diving. Contact us for flight inclusive quotations. Prices correct at time of print (January 2023).

Hidden Gems of Indonesia

Lying at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the spectacular underwater seascapes and biodiversity of the Indonesian archipelago include some of the best diving experiences in the world. Renowned hotspots such as Lembeh, Bali and Raja Ampat deliver incredible memories for all.

We pride ourselves on being able to offer you the ultimate diving holiday experience, and our team are always on the lookout for new resorts, liveaboards and hidden gems around the world where the marine life is paramount and the experience unforgettable.

We're thrilled to be able to offer you a range of small, dedicated diving resorts in some of the most spectacular locations in Indonesia. There's plenty that makes them special, but none more so than their access to world-class sites seen by few in remote parts of a country full of underwater treasures.

T he Sape and Ombai Straits are two main channels of the Indonesian Throughflow where the warm waters of the Pacific

flow into the Indian Ocean in huge volumes. It's in and around these channels where marine and coral life thrives best. It's no surprise then, that two of our hidden gems are in these areas, Alor and Sumbawa. Our third, South Halmahera remains almost undiscovered. Pristine diving, away from the crowds.

A lor: Eastern Promise

World-class diving experiences await those who travel to the remote eastern fringes of Indonesia. This is a must for anyone fascinated with the underwater treasure hunt of macro marine life with resident rhinopias, pygmy seahorse, nudibranch, frogfish and octopus seen regularly. The spectacle continues along the coral walls and in the channel where passing pelagic species are often encountered between dives. Diving here is incredibly rewarding and suited to experienced divers looking for an off-the-beaten-track adventure.

S umbawa: Oceans Apart

E xclusive access to sites along the eastern Sumbawa coast offers divers time to discover the variety

of resident critters, swim along vibrant reefs, and enjoy leisurely dives. It's the diving around Gili Banta, between the two oceans, that offers all the action with exhilarating drift dives, abundant fish life, schools of pelagic species on the seamounts, manta encounters and more. Macro enthusiasts won't want to miss the colourful critters living on the black sand sites around Sangeang, an active volcano where bubbles rise from the slopes. This is the ideal location for those seeking a mix of diving experiences away from the crowds.

H almahera: Naturally Wonderful

F rontier diving at its finest, South Halmahera offers an exceptional diving paradise with over 70 sites to discover. Expect an immense biodiversity of marine life amongst the coral reefs, on the muck sites and out in the blue. Big schools of large fish, reef sharks and plenty of unusual critters, they're all represented in this remote region at the heart of the Coral Triangle. Diving here is simply incredible, and you'll have the sites to yourselves. Now that's what we call a hidden gem.

Product Manager Sarah Wight is always on the lookout for special dive locations and here she gives an insight into three hidden gems in the heart of the Coral Triangle, all of which offer a unique experience.

Alami Alor Dive Resort

Alami Alor is a small dedicated dive resort located in Kalabahi Bay in eastern Indonesia. Avid divers will enjoy the variety of magnificent muck diving and vibrant coral reef sites.

15 days from £3,995 Mar-Nov

We offer the widest range of resort-based and liveaboard trips to Indonesia. Contact our friendly Dive Team today.

Kalimaya Dive Resort

Sumbawa's Kalimaya Dive Resort overlooks the western side of Komodo National Park and offers quality accommodation, a relaxing atmosphere and exquisite diving at the heart of the Coral Triangle.

11 days from £3,545 Jan-Dec

Sali Bay Resort

Exceptional diving experiences are to be had at Sali Bay Resort, located in a protected bay in South Halmahera. Surrounded by pristine nature and off the beaten track, it's a diver's paradise.

14 days from £3,765 Apr-Oct

Main image: Sali Bay Resort

What's Bubbling

We're continually evolving and expanding our portfolio to bring you the very best choice of new destinations, resorts, liveaboards and trip ideas for your next dive holiday. To keep up-to-date, sign up to 'What's Bubbling' our regular e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

TRIPIDEA

Pyramids & Reefs

TRIPIDEA

Egypt: Pyramids & Reefs

Dive into history and explore some of the Red Sea's finest coral reefs on this tailor-made Egyptian adventure. Starting in Cairo, this magical itinerary takes in the pyramids of Giza and the history of Cairo, before an odyssey to the far south of Egypt's Red Sea coast

for world-class diving away from the crowds. This trip includes a full day guided tour in Cairo and ten dives from Hamata, the gateway to the beautiful Fury Shoals reef system. In total there are a choice of 35 dives sites to enjoy, plus an extensive house reef to explore.

10 days from £1,995

Thailand: Laid-back Lanta Diving

Experience island life and superb diving for all levels of diver on this relaxed winter break. Located on Thailand's beautiful Andaman coast, Koh Lanta is blessed with great beaches, magical sunsets and a distinctly laid-back ambience. Daily diving is offered to the dive sites

around Koh Haa and Koh Phi Phi, while more experienced divers may enjoy the twin seamounts of Hin Muang and Hin Daeng. Snorkelling is also available, while a full range of diving courses, including the Open Water course, can also be arranged as part of your itinerary.

11 days from £1,875

LIVEABOARD

Maldives: Mariana Liveaboard

This traditional Maldivian safari boat offers fantastic diving adventures to many of the Maldives' finest dive sites. At 30 metres in length, she features nine cabins accommodating a maximum of 16 guests. All cabins are air-conditioned and have an en suite bathroom.

Itineraries are scheduled in the Central Atolls for most of the year, with departures also offered to the Southern Atolls between January and March. Extended itineraries of between 10 and 14 nights are available in addition to traditional seven-night cruises.

9 days from £2,895

Holiday prices are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation, transfers and diving, except where specified. Prices correct at time of print (January 2023).

Contact our Dive Team to plan your next diving adventure

RESORT

Indonesia: Spice Island Divers

Calling all critter lovers! This small dive resort in Ambon Bay, Indonesia, has a wealth of outstanding muck diving sites right on the doorstep. A great option for budding underwater photographers, the resort features just 11 well-appointed en suite rooms, while the diving starts

right in front of the dive centre on the house reef. Expect all manner of weird and wonderful critters including lacy scorpionfish, mimic octopus, frogfish and more. The resort can also make a great combination with a liveaboard exploring the Banda Sea or Raja Ampat.

11 days from £3,095

Philippines: Sipalay Easy Diving & Beach Resort RESORT

Located in a quiet corner of the Philippines facing the Sulu Sea, this intimate 3-star property offers great value and over 40 dive sites that are a little off-the-beaten-track. Diving highlights include the sites at Punta Ballo where the reefs are colourful,

turtles are a common sight and two wrecks lie waiting to be discovered. It's a great choice for photographers, snorkellers and even non-diving partners. The resort is also the starting point for seasonal trips to the remote Cagayan Islands. A true adventure!

10 days from £1,995

RESORT

South Africa: Blue Ocean Dive Resort

Located in the small town of Umkomaas, this colonial style property is set amongst tropical gardens overlooking the ocean. Aliwal Shoal is renowned for its shark encounters and up to seven species can be seen. It's also home to plenty of marine life along

the reefs and residing in the wrecks. Ragged tooth sharks congregate from June to November and oceanic blacktip sharks can be seen throughout the year. Solo guests benefit from no single supplements. Talk to us about extending your stay with a topside safari.

9 days from £1,565

RESORT

Dhigali Maldives

Spoil yourself at this sumptuous, premium all-inclusive resort in the Raa Atoll. This luxurious, innovative island resort has been designed to retain almost all its rich flora and fauna, including numerous species of tropical birds.

Divers will enjoy the on-site Euro Divers dive centre offering daily boat trips to over 30 sites along with a house reef. Highlights include green and hawksbill turtles, eagle rays and manta rays at nearby cleaning stations for much of the year.

9 days from £5,245

Dhigali Maldives

Seasonal Underwater Escapes

We offer an extensive range of dive holidays at the optimum time to visit some of the world's most impressive destinations and enjoy the amazing marine life at its best. Here our expert Dive Team selects some of their favourite dive escapes for each season.

Spring March to May

BIG in Bali

Suitable for divers of all abilities, this itinerary travels to the mystical island of Nusa Lembongan for a tropical escape and a unique diving experience. The mantas are mesmerising, and the reefs are vibrant.

11 days from £1,745

Philippines: Magic Dive Experience

Diving in the Philippines doesn't get much better than this. Experience the magical combination of two dedicated dive resorts located in the Visayas region, famous for its stunning dive sites.

15 days from £2,795

Mexico: Socorro Liveaboard

Mexico's Socorro Island is acclaimed for giant, majestic manta ray, shark, dolphin and humpback whale encounters. This liveaboard adventure promises some of the best big fish diving in the world.

12 days from £4,495

Best of Maldives Liveaboard

The Best of Maldives itineraries are a firm favourite amongst divers of all abilities, with a choice of vessels and durations. Highlights include manta cleaning stations, whale shark encounters and thrilling drift dives.

9 days from £2,595

Truk: Wreck Extravaganza

Spend a week at Truk Lagoon, considered the best wreck diving destination in the world. A resort-based itinerary, two boat dives a day will take you to explore the underwater museum of an entire Japanese fleet.

12 days from £3,565

Visit Grenada

An ideal trip for both novice and experienced divers. Discover marine life on wrecks and along the colourful reefs. Sightings of turtles, nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, seahorse and frogfish are common.

9 days from £1,995

To discover our full range of seasonal escapes, visit our website or contact our friendly expert Dive Team. Contact our Dive Team to plan your next diving adventure

The friendly, professional dive staff at Aquanauts made the experience fun while keeping us safe. They really helped my partner build confidence underwater and improve buoyancy and skills. It was lovely to dive on sites where it's very rare to see any other divers aside from our group.

Sara M, Grenada, Nov 2022

Seasonal Escapes

Summer June to August

Malta & Gozo Diving

Spend a week exploring Malta's wrecks, caves and fascinating history combined with a few days on the charming island of Gozo, where diving highlights include the blue hole and inland sea sites at Dwejra.

11 days from £1,195

Costa Rica: Cocos Liveaboard

Cocos Island is one of the world's finest liveaboard destinations, and you can expect to see hammerhead, silky, silvertip, Galapagos and white-tip sharks on this exceptional trip, as well as eagle and manta rays.

14 days from £6,595

Azores: Dive Pico - Mantas & More

This popular itinerary offers you the chance to encounter large schools of mobula as well as enjoying the unique seascape and diving experience around the central islands of Pico, Faial and São Jorge.

8 days from £1,495

Dive & Discover PNG

Uncover the magic of Papua New Guinea, one of the world's last remaining frontiers, on this adventure to two exceptional diving areas - both renowned for macro life and pelagic encounters on vibrant coral reefs.

17 days from £5,795

Iceland: Silfra Diving

Dive between two continents in Iceland's crystal clear waters. Include this unique experience at Silfra as part of a long weekend or short break to the land of fire and ice, a nation with stunning natural marvels.

4 days from £1,195

The Galapagos Islands are a must for all experienced divers. Encounter silky, Galapagos, hammerhead and whale sharks from the comfort of a liveaboard, and come face to face with unique wildlife topside.

10 days from £5,995

All holiday prices are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation, transfers and diving, except where specified. Prices correct at time of print (January 2023).

Galapagos Liveaboard

Seasonal Escapes

Autumn

We had a great guide, he could find the small stuff but also directed us well to find the big stuff too. The highlights were the range of sharks & rays that we saw and snorkelling with whale sharks & manta.

Kate H, Maldives, Dec 2022

September to November

Jordanian Highlights

Visit Jordan's cultural and historical sites of Petra, Jerash and Kerak, dive the uncrowded shores of Aqaba and explore the dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum on this itinerary of discovery.

10 days from £2,635

Dive & Discover Madagascar

Enjoy two weeks discovering the fascinating wildlife of northern Madagascar including a liveaboard adventure exploring untouched reefs and islands where seasonal visitors include whale sharks and humpback whales.

16 days from £4,695

Maldives: Dive Baa Atoll

Dive away from the crowds in the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, home to only a handful of resorts. The diversity of marine life is incredible and the perfect place for manta ray and whale shark encounters in season.

10 days from £2,845

Indonesia: Walls, Schools & Critters

Bunaken Marine Park and Lembeh Strait together offer a fantastic variety of enchanting dive sites right in the heart of the best marine biodiversity in the world – a fabulous combination!

17 days from £3,295

Fiji: Rainbow & Great Astrolabe Reefs

A great itinerary for divers who enjoy a mix of colourful reefs and pelagic encounters. Discover one of the world's greatest displays of soft coral at Taveuni's Rainbow Reef, then encounter critters and manta rays at Kadavu.

18 days from £5,775

Oman Liveaboard

Discover Oman onboard the MY Oman Explorer as she visits the top diving spots and untouched reefs in the Hallaniyat and Daymaniyat Islands, exploring as she moves throughout the year.

9 days from £2,235

The quality of the dive sites, the diver operation at our resort, and our dive guide were all outstanding. The highlight was seeing some bucket list marine life and diving Manta Ridge. Yulens, our dive guide was so good at spotting the macro life.

Adam P, Raja Ampat, Jan 2023

Seasonal Escapes

Winter December to February

Guatemala & Belize

These two fascinating Central American countries combine well to offer Mayan ruins, colonial architecture and tropical rainforests blended with stunning coral reefs and sandy beaches.

14 days from £4,695

Tobago is full of life and offers scuba diving to suit all abilities, from shallow sloping reefs to thrilling drift dives and wrecks. A fantastic Caribbean experience and great value for money.

9 days from £1,495

Indonesia: Dive Raja Ampat

Diving the spectacular reefs of Raja Ampat from a resort offers visitors a world-class experience. The remote location at the heart of the Coral Triangle presents an incredible diversity of wildlife.

14 days from £4,735

Mexico: Bull Shark Adventure

Diving experiences in the Riviera Maya include colourful reefs, close encounters with turtles, rays, sharks and the fresh water of the Cenotes. Visit in season for an adrenalinefuelled dive with the aggregating bull sharks.

9 days from £2,450

Tanzania: Dive Mafia Island

A week exploring the vibrant reefs of Chole Bay in the heart of a marine park. The highlight is undoubtedly the annual whale shark aggregation, where small males can be seen feeding in the channel.

11 days from £2,195

Thailand: West Coast Explorer

This itinerary allows you to explore the most famous dive sites of Thailand, both from the convenience of a liveaboard in the Similan Islands, and the comfort of a dive resort, where you can relax in tropical surroundings.

14 days from £2,095

All holiday prices are based on two persons sharing, including flights from the UK, accommodation, transfers and diving, except where specified. Prices correct at time of print (January 2023).

Meet our Team

Find out more about our expert team

Our friendly team are all dive professionals and travel experts with many years of experience. They have travelled the world and their passion for diving ensures they are well-qualified to create incredible diving holidays. Here they share an insight into their experience and favourite dive locations.

Philippa Anderson

Philippa (aka Flipper) learnt to dive in 1997 on a gap year and spent the last 20 years diving and travelling extensively in Egypt, the South Pacific and Indonesia among others. Philippa has a wealth of experience as an Instructor, Liveaboard Cruise Director and now Dive Travel Consultant.

Number of dives: 3,000+

Level: Instructor

Favourite dive site: Barracuda Point, Solomon Islands

Cath Bates

Cath spent 11 years as an instructor in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, where she specialised in both technical diving and conservation. It was here that she logged most of her dives. Her love of travel began during this time and she has explored much of Southeast Asia.

Number of dives: 6,000+

Level: TDI Advanced Trimix Instructor, PADI MSDT

Favourite dive site: Shark & Yolanda Reef, Egypt

Jobi Chan

Jobi started her working life as a travel journalist and during her time travelling made the most of any opportunity to dive. Following an Advanced Open Water course and Divemaster course in Asia, Jobi became a PADI Dive Instructor and spent time teaching in the Maldives.

Number of dives: 400+

Level: PADI Instructor

Favourite dive site: Darwin's Arch, Galapagos

Joanna Charter

Joanna went on her first dive in her teens and nearly 20 years later she hasn't stopped! She qualified as a PADI instructor in 2016, and has visited the Galapagos, Philippines, Oman and Indonesia to name a few. After four years in our Sales Team she is now part of our Product Team.

Number of dives: 700+

Level: PADI MSDT

Favourite dive site: USAT Liberty Wreck, Bali

Joe Milligan

Joe learnt to dive in the Maldives in 2008 and travelled Down Under to gain his diving qualifications where he worked as a PADI Instructor on Australia's east and south coasts. Joe has an appreciation for all marine life, but a personal favourite of his is the leafy sea dragons of Australia.

Number of dives: 800+

Level: Instructor

Favourite dive site: Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, Australia

Sarah Kness

Sarah has travelled the world working as a Dive Instructor, including time in the Cayman Islands, Indonesia, Australia, Fiji and Europe. With an infectious passion for diving and travel, Sarah is now in the UK and loves discussing exciting underwater adventures with fellow divers.

Number of dives: 4,000+

Level: SSI and PADI Instructor

Favourite dive site: Impossible to choose just one!

Phil North

Phil learnt to dive in 2002 and by 2005 he had qualified as a PADI Divemaster before working in Indonesia, Malaysia and Egypt. Phil settled in Thailand, where he ran an underwater photo and video centre with his wife-to-be. Now back in the UK he manages the Dive Worldwide Team.

Number of dives: 1,700+

Level: Dive Master

Favourite dive site: Veales Reef, Tufi, PNG

Sarah Wight

Sarah (aka Swight) grew up in Indonesia, learning to dive for her 16th birthday. There was no turning back, and since then she has visited the world's finest dive destinations. When not playing hockey or Padel she manages the product for Dive Worldwide.

Number of dives: 300+

Level: Master Scuba Diver

Favourite dive site: Manta Point off Nusa Penida, Bali

Anna Williams

Anna's early dive career was in Croatia, Wales and Tobago, moving on to Belize, where she spent nearly 10 years instructing. She then moved on to the Pacific via Mexico, the Red Sea, New Zealand and the Marshall Islands. Anna has also managed a dive centre in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Number of dives: 1,000+

Level: PADI Staff Instructor, SSI Instructor, BSAC Instructor

Favourite dive site: Half Moon Caye wall, Belize

Bali's Treasures

Indonesia

Dive Worldwide client Cynthia Glinos visited the enchanting island of Bali and describes the highlights of her trip. She also shares why you should consider a stay at the boutique dive resort of Siddhartha Ocean Front Resort & Spa.

Stepping into the sea, I noticed that it was the warmest water I had experienced in a long time. There was plenty of fish life around, including shoals of the usual reef fish, whilst other highlights included stingrays, octopus, lionfish, barracuda and the four turtles we saw on the first dive at Amed.

On one of the mornings, I had a relaxing house reef dive with one of the dive guides and went out on the boat in the afternoon to the Liberty Wreck, where again I had the undivided attention of my guide. We also did a few boat dives to the local sites (as part of our dive package). These were usually a one-tank dive to a spot between five to 15 minutes away from the resort, and they always ensured a good ratio of dive guides to divers.

The dive centre was conveniently located just next to our villa and has an excellent and efficient setup. After shore diving, the team kindly help you with your gear and then come and wade out to meet you when you come back, taking your equipment off you, so you only need to walk back with your mask and fins.

After a day's diving, we retreated to our room. We loved our oceanfront villa –that was the best choice we could have made and an excellent recommendation from Dive Worldwide. It was great having so much space, privacy, and, of course, our private pool. The whole resort is lovely and has a very well-thought-out design. We found all the staff very friendly, helpful, always smiling, and willing to do whatever was needed. We were impressed that they were nearly all local people, with many having worked at the resort for a few years.

On the last full day, we all took advantage of the free massage. I don't have much spa experience, but this was a relaxing hour-long massage. The whole holiday allowed me to unwind – a lovely resort, run by caring people, with good food and various diving options. Returning to work was undoubtedly a struggle!

For our full range of holidays to Indonesia, visit our website or contact our Dive Team.

10 days from £1,575

Your Perfect Maldives Indian Ocean

The Maldives has always been a popular choice for divers, and we share three different ways to dive these magical islands. Whether you've never visited before or are a seasoned traveller, in this article we're on a mission to tempt you to discover a new side of the Maldives.

Resort-based stays offer the classic Maldivian experience. Spend your mornings diving and your afternoons sipping a cocktail whilst lapping up the pictureperfect backdrop. We feature a wide range of excellent resort options, carefully selected not only for the qualities of the resort and island, but also for their exceptional diving opportunities. Choose a resort in North or South Malé Atoll, experience diving in Ari Atoll or head to a more off-the-beaten-track island or atoll. The choice is yours. All our resorts feature on-site dive centres, and many have house reefs just a stone's throw away. Marine highlights include whale shark, spotted eagle ray, reef manta ray and grey reef shark.

If you prefer to explore as much of this exceptional archipelago as possible or seek the most immersive diving experience, then a liveaboard is the ideal option. Sailing to some of the more remote dive sites and being in the company of like-minded divers are just some of the many benefits of liveaboard diving. Choose from our varied

selection of liveaboard vessels and enjoy the finest diving of the Maldives, with itineraries ranging from just seven nights through to extended itineraries of 10 nights or more. Expect to dive on manta cleaning stations, encounter whale sharks and the thrill of diving the channels.

For a more intimate and authentic experience, spend time on a local island where you can experience smaller guesthouses or boutique hotels and meet local people, while still enjoying great diving. Dive in the morning, with underwater highlights from these local islands including thrilling drift dives, soft corals, caves, turtles, wrasse, grouper, sharks and eagle rays. Spend your afternoons and evenings relaxing, learning about local communities or even finding out about conservation projects. It's a fantastic way to support the local islands whilst still getting your diving fix.

Whichever style represents your perfect diving adventure, our friendly team is here to make those dreams come true.

For our full range of holidays to the Maldives visit our website or contact our Dive Team.

9 days from £2,575

Client Feedback

Feedback from our clients is hugely valuable to us here at Dive Worldwide. We're always delighted to hear about our guests' holidays and we constantly strive to make every departure a dream trip! Don't just take our word for it – here's some feedback from recent trips.

Scott C, Malta, Aug 2022

I enjoyed the whole experience; everything was organised as soon you get off the plane including the documents Dive Worldwide send you, which has everything you need to know about your trip. The diving operator was 5-star, helpful, knowledgeable, safety-conscious and enjoyable. The accommodation was catered with divers in mind, and I really enjoyed the scuba diving around Malta and crystal clear water, shipwrecks, caverns and local reefs.

Angela C, Indonesia, Sep 2022

This is the second holiday I've booked through Dive Worldwide; both have been excellent. The planning and booking were easy and very informative, and the actual holiday was amazing. The transition from aeroplane to resort was smooth & faultless. The hotels provided were superb, diving location and operator fantastic & I can't thank Joanna enough.

Hank S, Maldives, Sep 2022

Highlights were the interaction with tawny nurse sharks brushing past us and the biggest mantas I've ever seen. It was an outstanding liveaboard trip, the best ever. Four of the dives would rank in my top ten. The icing on the cake was a pod of spinner dolphins.

Richenda C, Galapagos, Oct 2022

The quality of diving on the Galapagos Whale Shark Expedition was worldclass - sometimes I felt there was more fish than water around me! Apart from encountering hundreds of hammerheads and dolphins, numerous Galapagos sharks, turtles, sea lions and two seahorses, amazingly, we saw a humpback whale and her calf - I'm sure this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Lucie Z, Oman, Nov 2022

The organisation was very smooth, everything we agreed together was in place, on time, simply perfect. The boat was very comfortable and the crew were very helpful and the guides were of high quality, especially Mirko, he really was one of the best underwater guides we have ever met. Last but not least, the underwater life was amazing!

The Philippines Top Five Reasons to Visit

The extraordinary variety of diving in the Philippines attracts divers time and time again. Team member Joanna Charter recently visited and below shares her top five reasons to explore this year-round destination.

Coral Reefs

Situated within the Coral Triangle, the reefs are both widespread and kaleidoscopic. There are uncountable reef systems weaved through the islands, hosting soft and hard corals that attract an abundance of fish and turtles, whilst steep walls are covered in huge seafans and sponges.

Macro

The mini and microscopic marine life of the Philippines are a critter spotter's dream. The popularity of bonfire and blackwater diving gives access to an alien world of deep-sea dwellers. From mating mandarinfish to flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorse to hundreds of nudibranch, the diversity here is exceptional.

Megafauna

There are opportunities to encounter manta rays and whale sharks as they make their migratory journey through the heart of the islands and hidden locations where dugongs can be found grazing. Thresher sharks call the Philippines their home, and new shark nurseries have been discovered nestled in the mangroves. Sardine baitballs are also found in these waters, attracting the attention of predators.

Topside Beauty

The landscape offers stunning picture-perfect backdrops throughout the country. The iconic Chocolate Hills of Bohol and Palawan's jagged limestone formations, which plunge into the crystal waters, are just a couple of the natural delights. Topside experiences include mountain biking, trips to waterfalls, jungle exploration and local market visits.

The People

You'll meet some of the most friendly, resilient and helpful people in the Philippines. On arrival, you'll be greeted with a welcoming “Mabuhay!” The dive guides take pride in their work and do their best to provide your desired diving experience. Environmental programmes are pioneered by locals who advocate the protection of the reefs, beaches, and marine life.

We have travelled extensively throughout the Philippines and are on hand to offer you first hand advice and make recommendations on the wide range of resorts and liveaboards we offer. Contact us to start planning your next adventure!

Dive Moalboal

Explore the delights of Moalboal on the west coast of Cebu island. Dive kaleidoscopic reefs, search for smaller marine life and visit the stunning Pescador Island, a must for experienced divers.

10 days from £1,945

Dive Coron Bay

Based at the charming Sangat Island Resort in a secluded area of the Philippines, dive the colourful protected reefs and explore the Japanese World War ll wrecks which lie at the bottom of Coron Bay.

12 days from £2,935

Dive into Luxury Philippines

Experience world-class diving at a beautifully calm pace on this superb itinerary, which combines Dumaguete and Bohol, two of the Philippines' hidden gems for a diving holiday brimming with indulgence.

13 days from £3,945

A nation of over 7,000 islands, experience the very best of the Philippines' exceptional scuba diving on a liveaboard or island hopping adventure. Lying within the Coral Triangle, the Philippines offers divers jaw-dropping diversity, vibrant reefs and outstanding wreck diving.

10 days from £1,945

To plan your Philippines diving adventure visit our website or contact our expert team.

www.diveworldwide.com/discover/philippines

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Dive Worldwide is part of The Natural Travel Collection Ltd, an independent and privately owned travel company that places a special emphasis on sustainable holidays.

Photographs courtesy of: Jonathan Green, Thomas Haider, Sofia Green Iturralde, Emily Freya Krakoff, Bernard Radvaner, Saeed Rashid, Simon Rogerson, Darek Sepiolo & Stuart Westmorland Apologies for any omissions.