Sixteen years ago, mom and avid diver Margo Peyton started Kids Sea Camp, with the belief that diving should be accessible to all families, even those with young children. Now, Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures hosts annual trips to some of the world’s most exotic dive destinations, all of which are geared towards making family dive travel not only possible, but rewarding as well. Kids Sea Camp vacations aim to inspire children to become passionate about scuba diving, and to create a learning environment that is both safe and fun.
The program offers a wide range of scuba and snorkeling courses for young children, ranging from Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth (SASY) try-diving experiences for kids 5 and up to the full range of PADI-approved Junior Diver courses. Children learn about the marine environment, including predator/prey interaction and ecosystems, as well as scuba-related math. By educating children about the ocean, Kids Sea Camp hopes to inspire the marine conservationists of the future.
Parents needn’t worry that they’ll be left out, however — Kids Sea Camp is as much about adults as it is about children. Professionally supervised kids’ courses give parents the freedom to explore dive sites at their leisure. Parents and children get to dive together, too, as well as having plenty of time to explore the destination’s topside attractions as a family. There’s still time to get in on the fun this year; see below for a calendar of the remaining Kids Sea Camp destinations.
NOTE: This list includes all those destinations that still had availability at the time of writing. Tips on reaching each destination assume that you will be leaving from or connecting through the United States.
Bonaire
Where: Buddy Dive Resort
Dates: June 20th to 27th, July 25th to August 1st, 2015
Highlights:
Home to more than 470 fish species and renowned for healthy reefs — Bonaire’s waters became a marine park in 1979 — this small island boasts world-famous shore diving opportunities. From Buddy Dive Resort, wreck, reef and even wall sites are all within easy reach of the shore. Excellent visibility, warm water and calm seas make it the ideal destination for young divers, and children are encouraged to enroll in a Coral Restoration certification course. There are plenty of non-diving activities, too, including sunset cruises, donkey safaris, tubing and slacklining.
How:
Delta and United Airlines fly direct to Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport from North America. Buddy Dive Resort is approximately 13 minutes’ drive from the airport.
Cost: From $999 per child ($1,849 per adult) plus flights
Grand Cayman
Where: Cobalt Coast Resort
Dates: July 11th to 18th, 2015
Highlights:
This year’s event is the 12th and final Grand Cayman Kids Sea Camp, and as such is sure to be an extra-special occasion. Cobalt Coast is geared towards children of all ages, putting an equal emphasis on fun and safety. The diving is world-class, too, offering everything from shallow shore dives to wreck dives on the Kittiwake. Visibility frequently exceeds 150 feet (45 m), while typical Grand Cayman marine life includes turtles, stingrays and reef sharks. Cobalt Coast is also close to major attractions like the Cayman Island Turtle Farm and Stingray City.
How:
Multiple U.S. gateways offer frequent, inexpensive direct flights to Grand Cayman, including Miami, Houston, Atlanta, New York and New Jersey. Transfers from the airport to Cobalt Coast Resort are included in the cost of the trip.
Cost: From $999 per child ($2,250 per adult) plus flights
Palau, Micronesia
Where: Sam’s Tours
Dates: July 11th to 18th, 2015
Highlights:
Famous for creating the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009, Palau is home to more than 1,300 species of fish, and approximately 130 species of shark and ray. It is one of the few places where young divers can safely experience wrecks, reefs and big animal encounters. Highlights include manta cleaning stations, WWII wrecks and snorkeling amongst the jellies in Jellyfish Lake. Palau is as amazing above water as it is below, and families will have the opportunity to sign up for historical and cultural tours, surfing, island-hopping excursions or even a session in the spa.
How:
The easiest route from the United States is to transfer through Honolulu and Guam on United Airlines. Trip prices include transfers from the airport to Sam’s Tours.
Cost: From $999 per child ($2,699 per adult) plus flights
Yap, Micronesia
Where: Manta Ray Bay Dive Resort & Spa
Dates: July 18th to 25th, 2015
Highlights:
Conditions in Yap are typically calm and clear, but the marine life makes this destination exceptional. It’s one of the only places in the world where adults and children can snorkel with mantas in less than 15 feet (4.5 m) of water. Manta sightings are almost guaranteed throughout the year, as are encounters with three species of reef shark. Macro life is abundant too, and mandarinfish mating dives are a Yap highlight. Extra-curricular activities include fishing, kayaking, island tours and visits to WWI and WWII historical sites.
How:
United Airlines flights from the U.S. typically transit through Honolulu and Guam. Manta Ray Bay is approximately 10 minutes’ drive from Yap International Airport.
Cost: From $999 per child ($1,799 per adult) plus flights
Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras
Where: M/V Caribbean Pearl II, Central America
Dates: August 15th to 22nd, 2015
Highlights:
With nine luxury cabins, state-of-the-art diving amenities and six professional crewmembers, M/V Caribbean Pearl II is perfectly equipped to give your children the best possible introduction to liveaboard diving. You’ll spend six days and seven nights exploring the dive sites around Utila, including seamounts, caverns, wrecks, walls, reefs and atolls. Utila is most famous for its whale-shark sightings, but also boasts frequent encounters with wild dolphins, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays and more. The liveaboard also includes land-based excursions like beach trips and horseback riding.
How:
Fly to San Pedro Sula on the Honduras mainland or directly to Roatan from Houston, Atlanta, Miami or Toronto. Take a connecting flight onwards to Utila. Trip costs include transfers between Utila airport and the boat.
Cost: From $2,699 per person (plus flights)
St. Lucia
Where: Scuba St. Lucia, Anse Chastanet Resort
Dates: November 21st to 28th, 2015 (Thanksgiving)
Highlights:
Considered one of the Caribbean’s top five dive resorts, Anse Chastanet, in the southern part of St. Lucia, is an ideal destination for divers of all ages and abilities. The resort’s house reef starts just 10 yards from the water’s edge and is home to 150 different species of fish. Anse Chastanet’s dive sites include riotous coral gardens, sheer walls and the wreck of the Lesleen M, all protected under an extensive marine reserve. Anse Chastanet also offers jungle biking and kayaking tours, spa services and gourmet dining, making this a great all-inclusive dive vacation destination.
How:
American Airlines, British Airways and United Airlines are just some of the airlines that service St. Lucia. Anse Chastanet is approximately 50 minutes’ drive from Hewanorra International Airport.
Cost: From $2,199 per child ($3,299 per adult) plus flights
For more information, or to book your Kids Sea Camp family vacation, visit familydivers.com.
