DESTINATIONS INDIAN OCEAN | DIVING


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Constance Moofushi, the Maldives; Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island; a turtle at Biyadhoo, the Maldives; Coco Bodu Hithi, the Maldives


spa, while sunset cruises, fishing trips and canoeing add extra alone time. There’s also a big emphasis on marine conservation, with marine biologists offering guided reef tours, and a coral nursery project that guests can sponsor. Book it: Caribtours offers a week’s half-board from £1,799 per person, based on two sharing an Island Villa and including flights on September 22. caribtours.co.uk


BEST FOR . . . ADVENTURERS Sell: Liveaboard diving in the Seychelles Why: For those wanting to immerse themselves in a dedicated diving holiday, a liveaboard is an excellent option, taking guests out to explore remote spots on a traditional schooner or yacht. Dive Worldwide offers a seven-night liveaboard trip in the Seychelles combining daily dives with kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling and other watersports, alongside island visits and land-based explorations to see deserted beaches, lush nature reserves and the famous Coco de Mer. The exact itinerary depends on conditions, but guests can expect eight dives with vibrant coral gardens and deep granite swim-throughs on the agenda, plus an experienced Padi instructor on board throughout. Book it: The seven-night itinerary including flights, eight dives, all meals, island visits and other activities starts at £2,475 per person, based on two sharing. Boats carry up to 16 passengers. diveworldwide.com


28 18 MARCH 2021


exper expert ASK THE


Phil North brand manager, Dive Worldwide and Regaldive


“The Indian Ocean is a superb choice for divers and marine life enthusiasts, offering a wide range of world-class experiences. “The Maldives is hugely popular for our clients, with resorts catering for


all levels. We also offer liveaboard options that tend to suit divers with a little experience. An Advanced Open Water qualification is not essential for this, but it does allow divers to get the best out of the liveaboard experience. “The Seychelles also offers a range of experiences that are ideally suited to


beginners or diving and non-diving couples, while adventurous souls may wish to venture south to Madagascar to experience excellent diving together with incredible wildlife experiences.”


BEST FOR . . . SEASONED DIVERS Sell: Dive and Detox in the Maldives Why: A liveaboard isn’t the only option for a dive-intensive holiday. For hardcore enthusiasts wanting to base themselves on land, suggest Regaldive’s new seven-night, small-group itinerary, which takes guests out on daily excursions from a base at the six-room Boutique Beach Resort on Dhigurah Island, in the South Ari Atoll. Guests will embark on up to 17 dives, including a full-day whale shark safari, a full-day manta safari and a night dive, with visits to rarely seen underwater spots. They’ll also have plenty of opportunity to get to know this authentic, inhabited (and alcohol- free) Maldivian island that’s firmly off the beaten track. Book it: The seven-night trip costs from £1,675 per person, including full-board accommodation, domestic transfers from Malé and all dives (international flights excluded). regal-diving.co.uk


² travelweekly.co.uk


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