A family diving holiday is great way to combine a big adventure and some quality bonding time. The fact that the world’s best dive sites tend to be located in the most beautiful of locations that also abound with family-friendly activities, also makes it a natural choice for a holiday.

But what do you need to think about before you plan and book your first (or next) family dive vacation?

Travelling to your holiday destination

Depending on the age of everyone travelling, you might not think that a long-haul flight to remote dive locations is all that suitable. But there are plenty of family dive holiday spots in easy reach of the UK. For example, Gozo, one of the best family dive destinations, is located just a few hours away! 

Accommodation at your diving spot

Choosing the right resort is crucial. The best hotels combine a little bit of luxury with great facilities the whole family can enjoy. Make sure you do your research and choose the right hotel for your needs, the last thing you want is to end up in a high-end couples romantic retreat with a couple of noisy kids in tow. The more facilities your resort has, the better. So, look for swimming pools, games rooms, kids’ clubs, watersports centres and more to make sure everyone is entertained in the right kind of environment. The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is one such place where you can find amazing family hotels and great diving!

Other activities for when you are not diving

Not everyone is going to want to dive all of the time. As you probably know from previous family holidays, getting everyone to agree on what to do is probably the biggest challenge. So, you need to make sure there are plenty of other activities for all the members of the family to do, in case they’d rather stay on dry land. Also, be sure to choose accommodation with kids clubs and creches so that you can be sure the little ones are safe while the adults are diving. Columbia Beach Resort in Cyprus is a great choice for families as their facilities are designed to cater for children of all ages!

Dive tuition

If you are travelling with inexperienced or novice divers, then you need to ensure there is certified tuition at your destination. It’s always a good idea to book this before you travel to avoid disappointment as centres can get full, particularly over school holidays. Unlike some other water-based activities, diving is strictly regulated, and you will need to work towards the right qualifications. Alternatively, if you want to make the most of the diving on your break, it may well be worth taking the family on some dive courses in the UK before you go. If you just want to introduce the kids to the sport without going for a full course, many of the Maldives resorts offer bubble making activities for children where they can have fun in the pool and snorkel in the shallows of the lagoon, accompanied by trained professionals.

Dive locations

There are some superb dive locations within easy reach of the UK. Gozo, just off Malta, is known for its incredible underwater world of caves and rock formations. Oman offers the chance for liveaboard adventures. Of course, if you do feel like travelling further, then this opens up a world of possibilities, including the Maldives, Mauritius, the Caribbean and more. Be sure to speak to one of our experts who will be able to assist in selecting the perfect diving holiday destination for you and your family.

Budget

In order to bring all of the above in under or close to your budget, then think about avoiding the high season in the major dive spots. Or look for special offers offered by many
resorts. Don’t be put off by the term ‘luxury’ either, as even the high-end resorts offer surprisingly affordable family deals, with many allowing for kids sharing their parent’s room to stay, eat and play for free!