Here are part 2 of our 14 unbeatable places to learn to scuba dive with your family:
Maldives
The Maldives is a wish-list item for any traveler and attracts divers from around the world each year. With numerous atolls and family-friendly resorts to choose from, you are spoilt for choice at this special destination. There is diving for all experience levels, with thrilling deep channels, easy-going shallow reefs and stunning pinnacles. But the real highlight for any family visiting the Maldives is snorkeling with whale sharks and manta rays.
Yap, Micronesia
If you are prepared to head further afield, you will be well rewarded by going diving in Yap. This intriguing island in Micronesia is renowned for its manta ray, pretty mandarinfish, numerous reef sharks and easy diving. With shallow dive sites and abundant marine life at every dive site, youngsters can gain confidence whilst they meet some of the ocean’s most charismatic animals. Above water, the whole family can learn about the indigenous culture, go kayaking and join fun island tours.
Wakatobi, Indonesia
If you like a little luxury with your scuba diving, visit Wakatobi in Southwest Sulawesi. This picture-perfect destination is far from any diving crowds and is renowned for its luxurious accommodations and pristine reefs. Wakatobi has perfect conditions for learning to dive, with one of the most beautiful house reefs in the world and almost no currents. Snorkelers and divers alike can drift over the vibrant reefs and search for prized fish life and macro critters. Take just a few steps off the beach to visit the thriving seagrass beds busy with juvenile sea turtles.
Belize
Home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is a perennial favorite for families. There is a staggering variety of iconic dive sites to choose from, and the dive conditions are consistently easy. Simply choose from diving off the mainland or exploring Belize’s many islands. Either way, you will be rewarded with colorful reefs, a wide variety of fish life and the chance to swim with whale sharks. When you have had enough of diving in Belize, spend time topside exploring Mayan ruins and go island hopping in the glorious sunshine.
Fiji
Fiji is famous for having the friendliest people on Earth and is the soft coral capital of the world. Children and adults alike will be delighted by the warm welcome, vibrant culture and the rainbow-hued corals sitting just below the surface. It is a truly idyllic place to learn to scuba dive with your family, where you will find shore diving, reef diving, shark diving and lagoon diving. With so many dive options and marine life highlights such as manta rays, sharks, whales and colorful fish, plus great food and a fantastic climate, there is nowhere quite like Fiji.
Solomon Islands
If you want to go on a true adventure and dive the most untouched coral reefs in the world, make sure you visit the Solomon Islands. Made up of over 900 tropical islands scattered across the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands have warm clear waters and thousands of marine life species. These biodiverse islands are understandably known as the ‘the Amazon of the Ocean’.
Due to being remote, the islands are peaceful, and the dive sites are pristine. Marovo Lagoon – the world’s largest saltwater lagoon – is ideal for new divers and family adventures. There are tiny islands scattered throughout the calm lagoon, with tropical jungles and untouched coral reefs just waiting to be explored. With visibility over 30 meters, you do not need to dive deep to enjoy the marine life all around you.
Corsica
Beautiful Corsica, with its warm waters, endless white sands and mountainous scenery, is hard to beat for an easy family vacation. Sitting off the south coast of France, Corsica is easy to get to and has diverse dive sites for all experience levels. The calm gin-clear waters make it easy for children to dive the thriving seagrass meadows and sheltered coral reefs, whilst experienced divers explore Corsica’s famous canyons, caves, impressive wrecks and dramatic pinnacles.
There is Mediterranean reef life in abundance, plus eagle rays, stingrays, huge friendly groupers and even seahorses. Whether you visit in peak dive season or take an autumnal vacation with your family, you will not be disappointed by this highlight of diving in France.
