Tom Peyton

Counting Shaun the sheep at Kids Sea CAMP

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shaun the sheep, kids sea camp

Shaun the Sheep, a tiny sea slug, has been discovered.

Destination: The Philippines with Sea Explorers, Amun ini, and Kids Sea Camp. Neither my wife nor I had ever been to the Philippines before. Margo and Tom Peyton, fellow dive industry friends, had invited us multiple times. Tom talked about a strange alien life he found mesmerizing and how incredible it would be to experience. It’s just impossible to describe, he said, but mindblowing and life-changing, a world you will become obsessed with exploring.

My first muck dive in the Philippines: Marcio, another guest, fellow photographer, and avid, loyal Kids Sea Camp adventurer, spoke of a sheep. I was curious; he had my attention. The guides you see can show you almost anything you request, but who knows what to request in a land of aliens? Marcio named the critter focus of this trip for himself and piqued my curiosity: Shaun the Sheep.

As I descended below the surface of the clear Philippine water, I was not fooled by the desolate, grey, bare sand. Tom Peyton said, “This is the home for some of the most incredible creatures I will ever see.” With all the colors of the universe residing on the most minuscule of animals, like the hundreds of nudibranchs found here or pygmy squid, and then there are the mesmerizing colors of the mandarin fish. Tom was so correct. The obsession began as I saw the true master of camouflage, the pygmy seahorse. While the Philippines’ underwater world is nothing short of a new planet, one critter in particular stole my heart even before we met: Shaun the Sheep. Marcio showed me a photo from his dive, and I was hooked.

Keep in mind my wife, Cristina Zenato, and I dive with sharks for a living, so it was pretty interesting to watch myself get so excited about a creature I could barely see with the naked eye. When you see how cute this little guy is, you will understand why.

What is Kleptoplasty?

A tiny leaf slug (Costasiella Kuroshimae) that grows to a length of 7 millimeters. They graze on algae, suck up their chloroplasts, and retain them within their tissues, allowing them to supplement their diet through photosynthesis. This process is called kleptoplasty.

How could I not become obsessed with an animal the size of a grain of rice capable of using photosynthesis? To feed my obsession, I needed to learn more. Shaun has multiple siblings, like the Bumblebee-looking (Costasiella Sp), and distant cousins living in the Caribbean.

But how do you find something so small in the vastness of the ocean?

In the same way, you find any small creature in the Philippines, you find its home. Shaun the Sheep lives on a specific algae called Avrainvillea. Find the algae, see Shaun the Sheep. Rest assured, my quest for Shaun the Sheep is not over. I am looking forward to seeing and photographing its Caribbean cousin.

By Kewin Lorenzen

From SASY to Divemaster with Kids Sea Camp

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Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton

SASY — I was only six years old

For as long as I can remember, I have spent every summer traveling with Kids Sea Camp. I lived in Grand Cayman with my family for the first 10 years, when I started discovering the underwater world. My dad enrolled me in the Kids Sea Camp SASY program (surface-supplied air system) when I was six. I remember running around on the beach collecting giant hermit crabs for the crab races and spending the afternoons learning about marine life and the local Cayman blue iguanas through dot painting classes with Margo Peyton and Ron Rogest. They would have us all saying, “One dip per dot and no double dipping!”

My love for the ocean

Kids Sea Camp, Camp, Kids and diving, Margo Peyton

As I got older and became more involved and interested in diving with Kids Sea Camp, I fell more in love with exploring the underwater world through photography. Margo Peyton, owner of Kids Sea Camp, and my dad introduced me to diving and encouraged me to share my story. I loved taking photos and videos of many incredible adventures with my Sealife cameras. Becoming a PADI Jr. Open Water diver at ten on a Yap and Palau trip with my dad, Tom, and Margo Peyton. I don’t think I was as big as the tank I used back then. My open-water dive with Margo was with Manta Rays, sharks, and giant Napoleon Wrasses.

Tom and Margo often had to hold my hands in the big currents because I was so tiny. I thought that was so much fun then. I grew up diving in currents, so as a teenager, I had so much fun body surfing and playing in them as I continued diving and traveling around the world with Tom, Margo, and my family. (See more about us)

My KSC world

My mom, dad, and I have toured most of the KSC World, including the Galapagos, where I lost all fear of sharks and had so much fun playing with sea lions and seeing my first whale shark. Dad and I dove into the Cathedral under Darwin’s Arch and watched Bullsharks and hundreds of Hammerheads go by. In Fiji, I dove with my very first Tiger sharks and more bull and lemon sharks. My mom was not with us on that trip, but when she saw the photos I was posting on my FB, she suddenly realized they were mine, not Dad’s, and that he had me in the water with big sharks.

Experiencing all that Kids Sea Camp had to offer from such a young age inhibited my love for the ocean and diving and made me want to be more involved in this organization and the diving world. Not only has Kids Sea Camp allowed me to travel to excellent dive sites and experience such incredible things, but it has also allowed me to meet some amazing people.

My first Kids Sea Camp

I remember my first Kids Sea Camp: walking onto the pool deck in Grand Cayman and meeting another girl named Holly. We became best friends instantly and were inseparable throughout the whole two weeks. I longed for my Kids Sea Camp summers and for meeting up with Holly; we always wanted to make sure we were on all KSC trips together, and as we advanced in the diving world, our love for the ocean and our friendship grew. Holly became my dive buddy for nearly every dive I did over the years, thanks to Margo and Tom Peyton, who took us on trips. Many other kids did multiple internships with Kids Sea Camp.

As I became more involved with Kids Sea Camp, I learned a lot about SeaLife cameras from Margo and my dad. I hosted a few demonstrations, and Margo worked with me and directed me toward becoming a better underwater photographer. I have always wanted to be a part of the KSC dive team and help further its mission of teaching so many young people about the thrilling sport of scuba diving.

Becoming a PADI Pro

Margo and Tom offered me a chance to become a PADI DM Pro in 2022 at Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire. They entirely sponsored my program; it was the best place for me to do my divemaster course. The Buddy Dive team was outstanding as they cheered on my attempt at lugging tanks up the dock, and the coral restoration projects there made my dives much more enjoyable.

What greatly added to my experience on every trip was, as always, my Kids Sea Camp instructors. I learned from them and was treated like family. They forever changed my scuba-diving experiences by creating moments I will cherish forever. Being able to not only grow my love of the underwater world and scuba diving but also build such strong bonds through it has been a fantastic experience. Without Kids Sea Camp, I would never have met or made all the incredible friends I still have today. Kids Sea Camp also made me want to keep expanding my diving knowledge and helped me gain a lot of confidence underwater. I hope to continue my adventure with Kids Sea Camp and become an instructor someday. Scuba diving has made me adventurous and courageous, and given me a global perspective.

By Sophie Purdon, I look forward to sharing all that I shared with the next generation.

Tips for planning your family dive vacation.

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St. Lucia, Kids Sea Camp, family vacations, kids and diving

What to bring, what to pack, where to go, and how to plan:

Planning a dive trip can be a lot of work, so having a family travel expert like Kids Sea Camp handle it makes the process fun and incredibly rewarding. Here are a few tips to help you plan a successful family dive trip:

  1. Start by planning early. The earlier you start planning, the more time you’ll have to research destinations, book flights, and accommodation, and get everyone’s dive gear needs together.
  2. Choose the right destination. When choosing a dive destination, consider factors such as the type of diving you want to do, the time of year, and your budget.
  3. Book your flights and accommodation early. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the best deal and the most direct flights.
  4. Get everyone’s gear together. Ensure you have a list of what is needed and what you have. If you’re going to rent dive gear, planning early ensures sizes and needs are met. Dive gear is a very personal item, and kids should at least have a wetsuit, mask, fins, and snorkel. Kids Sea Camp is #1 in outfitting kids with scuba gear needs.
  5. To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, talk to your dive professional about dietary needs, special needs, concerns, and expectations. The more we know, the better we can meet your needs.
  6. Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to make changes if necessary.

Here are some additional tips that you may find helpful

  • Do your research. Before you book anything, take some time to research your destination. Read online reviews, talk to other divers, visit our website, and look at the Dive training and services offered, client comments, and the photo gallery. 
  • Get travel and dive insurance. This is always a good idea, but it’s especially important for dive trips. Travel insurance can cover you in a medical emergency, lost luggage, or other unexpected events. 
  • Pack light. Bring what you need and consider lighter bags, and more travel-friendly dive gear, such as the SCUBAPRO Lighthawk BCD or the Rebel, which are specifically made for compact and lightweight design.
  • Be prepared for the unexpected. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be ready for the unexpected. Bring 1 day’s worth of items in your carry-on in case of baggage delay.  Pack snacks and stay hydrated during travel days.  Have a second copy of your trip documents and passports in a separate carry-on. 
  • Have fun! Dive trips are a great way to see the world and connect with like-minded families. So relax, enjoy yourself, and allow us to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Additional Tips for Planning a Family Dive Vacation

When planning a family dive vacation, there are a few additional things to keep in mind:

  • Consider your family members’ ages and abilities. Not all dive sites are appropriate for all ages and abilities. Be sure to choose a destination suitable for everyone in your group. Give us a call and talk to any of our dive instructor team to answer your questions.
  • Not everyone is a certified diver. Before you book your trip, make sure everyone in your group has the proper training and certification. Kids aged 5-7 can do our SASY program, and Kids aged 8 and 9 can participate in Seal Team. Kids as young as 10 can become PADI-certified divers. 
  • Be aware of the risks involved in diving. Diving can be dangerous if safety protocols are not followed. Be sure to educate yourself about the kids’ depth limits and restrictions. Talk to your family doctor about any conditions or concerns before scuba diving. 
  • Call Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures today to start planning your next great family adventure vacation. We look forward to serving you: 25 years and over 8000 youth scuba certifications. We are #1 in the dive industry regarding kids, diving, and family dive vacations.
  • With some planning, you can easily organize a successful family dive vacation that everyone will enjoy.

By Margo Peyton (see link)

Kids Sea Camp the Perfect Choice for your Family Dive Vacations.

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Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, family scuba diving

Join us on unique scuba diving adventures to incredible destinations.

Kids Sea Camp offers a variety of trips for all ages and interests, from beginner-friendly to more challenging family adventures. Family Dive Adventures is a division of Kids Sea Camp Inc., offering a series of customized family-friendly group trips or scuba diving vacations in specific locations worldwide on specific dates. These group family diving events are an excellent way for kids to learn to scuba dive and make new friends worldwide. Families can meet other like-minded families from around the world.

The Lavinsky family was always looking for new and exciting adventures to share with their three young children, ages 4, 8, and 11. When they heard about Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures, they were immediately intrigued. They had always wanted to learn to scuba dive and thought it would be a great way to explore the underwater world with their kids.

Scuba diving as a family

The Lavinsky family booked a trip to Bonaire with Family Dive Adventures. They were so excited to finally experience the wonders of scuba diving as a family. The kids loved learning how to breathe underwater and exploring the colorful coral reefs and schools of fish. The littlest one participated in the SASY program while the other two became Jr. PADI Open Water divers. The parents were amazed by the beauty of the sea and the ease of learning how to dive. Their kids had a new sense of accomplishment, knowing they could dive with other kids worldwide.

After becoming PADI-certified scuba divers at Kids Sea Camp, the Lavinsky family continued diving and traveling as their kids grew. Mr. Lavinsky was so confident in Kids Sea Camp that he decided to go on a father-son trip to the Galapagos aboard a live-aboard. This impacted his young son so much that he fell in love with marine science and wanted to learn about the world’s oceans and travel more with his dad. They had such an incredible, memorable time on their liveaboard scuba diving adventures with Kids Sea Camp that they decided to book the Caribbean Pearl in Utila to dive with whale sharks and wild dolphins. This time, Mr. Lavinsky brought his then-12-year-old daughter and his 15-year-old son. They did their first kids’ night dive and met other kids from around the world who became lifelong friends.

Kids Sea Camp is UnBelizable

The Lavinsky family went to Belize to get their youngest child certified to dive into the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The kids loved seeing all the different animals, including Loggerhead turtles, Eagle Rays, and Reef Sharks. Each trip they went on was better than the last! They traveled to the Turks and Caicos, dove with wild dolphins, and enjoyed diving together as a family. Palau, Yap, and the Philippines were all incredible trips that created memories to last a lifetime. Last summer, their son, now in college, traveled with Mr. Lavinsky to Indonesia, Komodo. Margo Peyton arranged for Max to spend the remainder of his summer in Lembeh and Manado as an intern with Murex Divers.

Max falls in love with diving

The family is always fascinated by the unique wildlife, stunning scenery, and excursions they take on each adventure. Max fell in love with the Philippines when he went with Kids Sea Camp to dive with thresher sharks at Monad Shoal and with whale sharks in Oslob. His mom loved watching the kids enjoy St. Lucia as she enjoyed jungle biking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling the fantastic pitons and walls. They have traveled each year, creating everlasting memories and watching their children grow to be confident ambassadors of the underwater world.

Over 20 trips with KSC

The Lavinsky family has been on over 20 scuba diving adventures with Kids Sea Camp, and they have provided their kids with a living classroom with a global view. If you think about it, you only have 17 summers with your kids. Families love that Kids Sea Camp caters specifically to them, and they appreciate the experienced, knowledgeable staff on each trip.

The Lavinsky family has made lifelong friendships on each trip and continues to nurture those friendships today. The kids are grown and in college, and the Lavinsky family can now enjoy the empty-nest trips created by Family Dive Adventures. Parents can continue to travel and enjoy the other parents they have met along the way. Some of the kids are now PADI scuba instructors. During the summer months, when not in college, they work with Kids Sea Camp, teaching the next generation of divers.

Family Dive Adventures has been rated #1 in family dive travel for 25 years. Kids Sea Camp has a reputation for providing excellent service and safety. They offer a variety of trips to suit all ages and interests. Family Dive Adventures is the perfect choice if you are looking for a family-friendly scuba diving adventure.

Creating a Coral Restoration Project

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Coral Rescue, Bonaire, Kids sea Camp

Some ideas for creating a coral restoration project this summer include:

  1. Identify a suitable site for coral restoration. The site should have good water quality, access to sunlight, and a variety of coral species.
  2. Collect coral fragments from healthy reefs. Divers can do this by using specialized equipment.
  3. Establish a coral nursery. The nursery should be located in a safe place where the coral fragments can grow and develop.
  4. Outplant the coral fragments on the reef. This should be done at the right time of year and in the right way to ensure the coral’s survival.
  5. Monitor the coral fragments and provide care as needed. This may include removing algae, predators, and other threats.

The current health of coral reefs worldwide is poor. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are all major threats to coral reefs. As a result, many coral reefs are bleaching or in decline. Coral restoration is an important way to help protect coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them.

Example plan to get your coral rescue off the ground

  1. Identify the stakeholders. The first step is to identify all of the stakeholders who would be interested in or benefit from a coral restoration project. 
  2. Conduct research. Once you have identified the stakeholders, conduct research to understand the current state of coral reefs. 
  3. Develop a plan. Including a clear goal, a timeline, a budget, and a list of actions and how and when they will be carried out and monitored.
  4. Secure funding. You will need to secure funding to implement it. This funding can come from a variety of sources, such as government grants, private donations, corporate sponsorships, and social media.
  5. Implement the plan. Once you have secured funding, you can begin implementing the plan. This will involve carrying out the activities outlined in your proposed plan.
  6. Monitor the results. Monitoring the results of your coral restoration project to ensure that it is effective.
  7. Educate the public. It is also important to educate the public about the importance of coral reefs and the need for coral restoration. 

The current health of coral reefs worldwide is poor and in decline. Overfishing, Plastics and pollution, steroids and hormones entering marine environments through septic systems and farms, oil spills, storm damage, and climate change are all factors impacting the world’s coral reefs. Everyone can do something. Even if we choose one thing, anyone can make a difference.

For more information on monitoring the health of reefs around the world, International Coral Reef Initiative. The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a global partnership of nations and organizations that strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems worldwide.

The Perfection of The Arenui

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Komodo, Kids Sea Camp, Family Vacations, Sharks, Bucket list, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, The Arenui

Diving vacation perfection

“Perfection” would be the word if I had to summarize my 10-day trip to Komodo on board The Arenui in a single word. The word “perfection” is not to be used lightly. It means a lot. Let me try to explain. I’ve been diving for over 12 years with my wife, Kim, and, for the past 6 years, as a family with Kids Sea Camp. During this time, we have been fortunate to dive and visit some fantastic places with Kids Sea Camp, the Turks & Caicos, Bonaire, the Philippines, Palau, Indonesia, the Maldives, Fiji, and many more. I’m not a big Liveaboard fan. The trip to Komodo on The Arenui was only my second live-aboard trip.

Our first time was with Tom and Margo Peyton in the Maldives. My wife Kim and I avoided Liveaboards due to the kids’ young age and the great service that has spoiled us, the food, and the attention to detail that the land-based resort’s Kids Sea Camp offers. (Plan your next trip)

Margo and Tom have taken our family of 4 to some fantastic places over the years. But I digress. Let’s go back to the Arenui. After a flight from Detroit to San Francisco, we boarded a flight to Singapore: short layover, another flight to Bali. My first good impression was when I had to call the owner, Luigi, from the luggage desk. Yes, the airline lost our luggage. No problem. Come to the boat, where we will return your luggage. Luigi did just that! A short ride from the airport to the dock. As we boarded the tender, my wife, Kim, pointed out our first view of the Arenui. It looked special. Our kids, Andrew and Alessandra, thought it looked like something from a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

The Arenui

As we approached, we began to recognize the intricate details. The Arenui looked brand new. The wood detail was unbelievable. As you board the ship, you realize that you are somewhere uniquely special. The crew was fantastic from the moment we boarded until we left. They made us feel appreciated and welcome in everything they do. It was like being a part of their family. Smiles were genuine and constant. They knew us by our first name. We went to see our rooms after greetings and hugs to a few of our familiar Kids Sea Camp dive buddies. These are not ordinary liveaboard rooms. You feel like you are in an art gallery. Like the rest of the boat, woodcarvings and traditional Indonesian art are everywhere. The ship was built in 2008 from repurposed wood. No efforts were spared to make this ship. It is fantastic. I’ve never seen a boat with so many windows. Our room had 8! Spacious, comfortable, well-appointed, beautiful cabins. I’m not exaggerating. The pictures don’t do justice.

The Arenui is a hand-carved work of art. The common areas are spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated with a historic Indonesian feel. The sundeck is a utopia, a slice of zen. We watched the sunsets and sunrises from there. (See Arenui Gallery)

Food Perfection

After a short briefing, it was time for the first meal. It was a little bit different than other trips. That brings me to the next point — the food. The owner, Luigi, is a fantastic cook who used to own high-end restaurants. That reflects the culinary experience on board The Arenui. We did not have a single bad meal. Most meals were excellent. The meals were fantastic a couple of times, specifically with butter squash ravioli and pesto pasta! They could be from a five-star Michelin restaurant in any major capital of the world. The fish was fresh and included tuna, swordfish, and barramundi. The beef, pork, and sausage were terrific.

Our 12-year-old daughter Alessandra is a vegetarian. It was no problem. Every meal made explicitly for her was also extremely good. I felt that I needed to be careful with a special request. Because they would fulfill them, I was afraid they would send somebody swimming somewhere to get something they didn’t have on board! The wine list was incredible. By the way, Luigi is also a wine expert and owns a high-end Italian wine distribution center in Asia. Every day, they take orders for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They made this simple, easy, and rushed detail. We were never rushed to do anything. They kept telling us you’re “on holiday.” The alfresco dinners were decent and completely satisfying, leaving you wanting for nothing.

Mind-blowing Diving

The diving, after all, that’s what we’re there for. We had between three and four times a day. The dive crew was out of this world. I have experienced excellent dive service over the years, but this is out of the ballpark, from putting our fins on the tender to taking our booties and wetsuits off once back on the boat. They were washed, dried, and folded again. Unbelievable. Our gear, including my underwater camera, was handled immaculately. They would rinse, clean, and power-dry it every day — I’ve never seen that before. The crew made moving to the main ship to the tenders effortless. You walked with nothing other than your wetsuit on. They would bring everything you needed, put it on, and take it off. Just surrender and allow yourself to be served and experience perfection.

Diving in Indonesia is out of this world

Lembeh dive trips, Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo PeytonThis is my third time in Indonesia, and I am impressed again. The reefs are absolutely immaculate. The amount of fish life is tremendous, from pygmy seahorses, Mantas, and sharks to vast schools of fish. The dives are all incredible! The dive briefings were also executed with perfection. The dive maps, dive descriptions, and current checks were spot on. They would send a tender out from the dive site 15 minutes before the briefing to check the current conditions and disability. And that was rechecking on-site immediately before we dove.

Although the crew made it seem effortless, there was constant attention to safety. Everything I just described went on for 10 days. There were no glitches. The owners, Luigi and Mei, were on board traveling with us. They were diving and enjoying the experience. They let their crew do their own thing. I do not doubt that the experience would be the same if they weren’t there. They have an incredible hand-picked staff.

So, back to my initial statement. Perfection! I’m not exaggerating. Margo and Tom have created a perfect family-diving legacy company, and their care, attention, and choices were up to par for yet another perfect Curvelo family vacation.

This ship, the culinary experience, the staff, and the diving are out of this world! I’ve experienced excellent diving, great food, perfect service, and accommodations before, but never all at once on the same trip!

The Arenui has spoiled us

I can honestly state that the Arenui has spoiled any further dive trip for our family. We have already contacted Margo and Tom and have booked four more trips. I’m going to keep coming back to Kids Sea Camp and again to Arenui to be reminded of what true perfection feels like.

We have enjoyed traveling with Kids Sea Camp and meeting like-minded families worldwide. Andrew and Alessandra completed their PADI Rescue Diver certifications this year, and we are now looking forward to bigger adventures, like Raja Ampat next year, to experience the perfection of the Arenui.

By Marcio Curvelo

KSC by the numbers

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13 years and 18 kids sea camps,(KSC) Ago, we arrived in Bonaire with two 5-year-olds.

As we molded them into young men, Margo, Tom, Woody, Josh, Patric, Tina, and many others created scuba divers. At 15, they survived Lars’ Rescue course and, during a pandemic, tackled the currents around the Galápagos.

As our boat pulled away from this dock 13 years ago, we nervously watched our 5-year-olds, with Tina, feeding parrot fish off this dock, and we didn’t know what an incredible gift Margo would give us year after year.

Soon, our SASY divers will go off to college, and again, we turn to Margo and ask, “What do you have planned for us?”

Patti S. Snyder (Hopkins) See story

Wolferberger: Beach Party Bonaire

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Rockin song, diving in Bonaire at Kids Sea Camp

Wolfersberger family (Song by Trent):

Hopped off the plane at BIA(Bonaire International Airport)With my snorkel, mask, and fins

Welcome to the land of dive excess

Am I gonna fit in?

Jumped in the van, and here I am for the 2nd time

Look to my right and I see the Buddy Dive sign

This is all so crazy

The water’s so blue and wavy

My tummy’s turnin’ and I’m feelin’ kinda homesick 

Too much pressure and I’m nervous

That’s when the taxi man turned on the radio

And the yacht rock song was on

And the yacht rock song was on

And the yacht rock song was on

So I put my gear on, they’re playin’ my song

The flying fish fly away

I’m clearin’ my mask like yeah 

Movin my fins like yeah Got my gear on, they’re playin’ my song

I know I’m gonna be OK

It’s just the Kids Sea Camp way

Yeah, there’s a party underwater today

Yeah, there’s a party underwater todayGet to the class on my first day

Everybody’s lookin at me now

Like who’s that crowd rockin’ loud

They gotta be from out of town

So hard with my friends not around meIt’s definitely not a beachfront party

Cause all I see are wet suits

I guess I never got the memo

My tummy’s turnin’ and I’m feelin’ kinda homesick 

Too much pressure and I’m nervous

That’s when the DJ dropped my favorite tune

And the yacht rock song was on

And the yacht rock song was on

And the yacht rock song was on

So I put my gear on, they’re playin’ my song

The flying fish fly away

I’m clearin’ my mask like yeah Movin my fins like yeah Got my gear on, they’re playin’ my song

I know I’m gonna be OKYeah, there’s a party underwater today

Yeah, there’s a party underwater today

We Didn’t Start the Fire

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Palau, sharks, scuba and kids, family dive vacations, kids sea camp, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo since the year 2000!
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo out in Curacao!

Firewalkers, Kava Root, Soft Corals, Shark School
South Pacific, Rocky Island, Bequa Lagoon
Uncle Frasier, Had a Mission, The Cathedral Expedition
Bubblemaker, Fiji Islands, First KSC
Buddy Dive, Bonaire, Shore Diving, Low on Air
Woody, The Milkshake King, At the Surface Interval
Himahooker, Wreck Dive, Donkey Farm and Ice Cream
Scuba Diving, Caribbean, Barracuda, Goodbye!

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo since the year 2000!
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo out in Curacao!
Sea Explorers, Spider Boats, Dumaguete, Philippines
Pura Vida, World Class Diving, Dive with a smile
Oslob, Whale sharks, Pigmy Seahorses, Deep Dive
Giant Frogfish, Down in Cabilao
Shark Man, House Reef, Cayman Islands, Cobalt Coast
Stingray City, Master Seal, Kittiwake, Moray Eel
Turtles, Crystal Caves, Karaoke, Hot Tub
Sunset Cruise, Peyton’s Place Diving in the Ocean!

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo since the year 2000!
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo out in Curacao!
Volleyball, Bungalows, Horseback Riding, Playing Pool
Subway, Water Sports, Bay Islands Roatan
Monkey Tour, Eco Tour, Zip Line
Bearded Toadfish, Sitting on the ocean Floor
Mark and Holly Night Dives, Fly Fishing Mafia
Eagle Rays, Wreck Dives, Seahorses Everywhere
Trunkfish, Spotted Drums, Diving with the family Master Diver
Peter, Navigation.

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo since the year 2000!
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo out in Curacao!
The Mermaid, Margo, Diving in a strange Land
PADI, Photos, Lots of Conservation
PADI Diver Hall of Fame, Lots of Conversation
SCUBAPRO Deep Elite, KSC sure to repeat
Ole Tom, The man, Coral Restoration
Diving with his family deep within the ocean
Ocean Wishes, Help save the fishes
KSC, Blown away! What Else would I have to say?

Chorus
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo since the year 2000!
We didn’t start the fire, It was always Margo out in Curacao!
Reef Divers, Cayman Brac
Sister Island, Back again
Squid Squad, Flounder
Feeding rays, Pip hours
Ragnar spearing lionfish
Russian-warship wreck dive
Nassau-Groupers on the reef
Cleaning station all around
Island Dream Crew is the best
Spanish Omelet Specialty test
Turtles-eating, Lobster feeding
Coral Sister has our Kids
Now they’re Under Maritime Law
Kids Sea Camp is such a draw!
We love Kids Sea Camp nothing else to say.
We can take this any day

The Karenburg Family

Kids can dive with sharks in Fiji at Jean Michele Cousteau Resort

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Fiji, Kids Sea Camp, Kids and scuba diving, family vacation, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

Fiji is one of the world’s best places to scuba dive with your kids. 

If you’re looking for a luxury family holiday without compromising on quality, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort at Savusavu Bay awaits. In a tranquil setting surrounded by a marine sanctuary, secluded beaches, and mountainous scenery. The resort offers you and your kids the perfect balance between relaxation, recreation, and an interactive, authentic experience with Fijian culture.

Easy diving for kids

Fiji is one of my favorite places to take kids scuba diving. It has shallow, safe areas to dive in, with calm, clear, easy-to-train marine environments that are ideal for kids. We offer SASY for kids aged 4-7 to learn to swim and snorkel, as well as PADI Seal Team for kids aged 8-9 to begin learning about scuba diving in 12 feet of water through Aqua Missions. We use 1 instructor per 2 kids in the water for these programs. Fiji is perfect for families to scuba dive together, learn to dive, and learn about the ocean.

Famous shark diving

Fiji dive trips, Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo PeytonJean-Michel has been involved with the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji, an environmentally and culturally oriented family resort, conceived as a model to prove to the business community the economic benefits of environmental concern and design. To expand the impact of ecological tourism, he created the Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Centre, a flagship dive operation at the eco-friendly resort in Fiji. He is currently forming an action partnership to expand this ecologically responsible model to other sites. We offer the Ocean Futures program for kids, along with underwater photography, Shark Aware, and night diving. Kids Sea Camp takes kids diving with sharks worldwide, and Fiji is famous for its shark diving.

At Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, we take families out to the World Heritage sites to dive and enjoy reefs teeming with soft and hard corals, along with the white tip, black tip, and reef sharks. Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures have been bringing families on dive vacations to Fiji for 15 years. With over 7,800 certified youth divers, we are ranked the world’s #1 for family scuba diving vacations. Fiji is one of our top 5 destinations to take kids scuba diving with Fiji sharks. 

Bula club for younger kids

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, kids aged 9 and under will have access to our award-winning Bula Club, where they can dive into a range of fun and educational activities while you enjoy a little dive time. Located a short walk from the center of the resort, facilities include a family and junior pool with a water slide, a nursery bure, toddler mushroom cascading pool, trampoline, jungle gym, and flying fox, not to mention a fabulous treehouse on the grounds. In addition, the Bula Club offers a range of activities tailored toward different age groups. This means children can look forward to spending their days learning about Fijian culture or arts and crafts, exploring coral reefs, helping with mangrove replantation projects, or baking with a sun oven.

Our Bula Club reflects the resort’s commitment to children as the future caretakers of the earth and its oceans. Each day offers unforgettable adventures and enriching activities that teach our younger guests about Fijian Culture and the island environment. Unlike other resorts, we cater to babies and toddlers, as well as older children. Each child under 6 will be assigned their own personal nanny from 9 am-9 pm, while children 6-12 years will be assigned a Fiji buddy. Bula Club is complimentary for all families staying at the resort. Fiji photo gallery 

More than just diving

For families who want to explore a little more of Fiji, we offer a number of excursions to sites of interest around the resort, from a trip to the local market to a traditional Fijian village experience at Nukubalavu. Some of our popular offsite activities for older children include daily diving, kayaking, a rainforest and waterfall walk, a mangrove tour, and a sword carving demonstration, as well as visits to the local village and schools. If the kids still have energy to burn off, they can participate in photography classes or sea life presentations, while parents laze by the pool or visit our spa for a relaxing massage.

At Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, there is so much to do for families. Scuba diving, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, village tours, medicine walk, culinary classes, pearl diving, island hopping, and spa services. The resort has a water park, a tree house, a private white-sand beach, and a Bulla club. 

Everyone sings in Fiji

If you love music, then Fiji is the place that will soothe your soul from the moment you arrive. You will be welcomed with big smiles and soft voices as you are sung to, and throughout your stay, you will enjoy children from the village dancing and singing for you, along with many of the Fijian villagers. You can enjoy some cava with the Ratu and learn about this beautiful culture.   

Getting to Fiji

Fiji is for families. A direct nonstop flight out of LAX to NAD on Fiji Air is approximately 10 hours and 45 minutes.  The flights generally depart from LAX at 10 pm or so and arrive in Fiji early morning, around 5 am.  Kids sleep on the flight and wake up ready to go.  Let us guide you on your next best family dive vacation to Fiji. When it comes to your kids, deep down you want the best! That’s Kids Sea Camp.