Our ideas for best family holidays!
It was often difficult for divers with kids to find the right holiday where everybody can have some fun. By now there are a number of liveboard vessels around the world who accept children on some of there cruises which are specifically scheduled as family trips. The Aggressor fleet for example offers some family trips in the Caribbean, closer to our part of the world there are family liveaboard cruises in the Philippines and Indonesia available, for example with
Dive instructor on the Pindito with a child during an intro dive
the Pindito. Babies, toddlers, teenagers all are welcome on board Pindito and some other liveaboards for designated family excisions!
Many dive resorts are offering rooms or bungalows for families which are very suitable.
We think there are some considerations to be taken into account when you plan a dive holiday with the whole family.
A resort stay is the most common way to do this. Most resorts offer children’s’ rates (some more some less attractive), but this does not mean that they are naturally suitable for a family holidays. We just like to give you some pointers to select a great diving holiday for the family.
Important questions to ask:
Pack the bags!
- Does the resort have a nice beach for kids to play and swim?
- Do they offer a nanny service for a reasonable price?
- Are the dive sites close by so you can be back in the resort after a dive or two without spending most of the day in the dive boat away from the non divers?
- Apart from diving, what other activities can you engage in which are fun for the entire family?
- Depending what age your kids are, you may get them into a bubble maker or similar early dive/snorkel program. Check if this is available
- Does the resort offer kids sizes snorkel/dive gear?
Volivoli Resort in Fiji has a beach how kids love it!
We have done these checks and found some resorts that fit the bill. They tick the boxes and are quite affordable particularly in the Philippines, in Fiji and in Indonesia. Please check these resort out for your family holiday and ask us for their family rates:
In Fiji
Volivoli Resort
We have a family special for you for the beautiful Volivoli Resort: Stay 7 pay 5 at 2011 rates for families! (must be booked latest by 31st March 2012) Please email us for details!
Here some more resorts that fit the bill:
Indonesia's beautiful reefs
In the Philippines:
Pura Vida Beach Resort
Alona Vida Beach Resort
In Indonesia:
Tasik Ria Resort
Siladen Resort & Spa
Also fantastic, but on a higher budget are: Gangga Island Resort & Spa and Wakatobi Dive Resort.
Liveaboard Familiy cruises
The Pindito offers Wake Boarding as a fun activity for small and grown up guests!
In case you really want something very special, why not consider a liveboard dive cruise on the Pindito. Once a year they offer a family cruise of a lifetime! The crew has plenty ideas to make this trip exciting for grand and small guests. They offer a lot of activities around the water and on land for kids. Visit the Komodo dragons in the National Park, collect shells on the beach, spend an afternoon wakeboarding or a visit of an old fishing village. Introductory dives are possible as well. On this cruise kids under 10 years travel for free! 10-15 year olds pay 50% of trip price.
Pindito - a beautiful Indonesian liveaboard
Family liveaboard trips 2012:
30 Jul – 10 Aug 2012 Dive Komodo! Pindito Family diving cruise
3-10 August 2012 (7 nights) Philippines diving Philippine Siren Family trip
Family Liveaboard trips 2013:
28 Jul – 4 Aug 2013 (7 nights) dive Komodo with Indo Siren Family dive trip
29 Jul – 9 Aug 2013 (11 nights) Dive Komodo with the Pindito Family dive trip
