Tom Peyton

Family Travel Tips

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Kids Sea Camp, Woody Tinsley, Kids and diving

Thoughtful Family Travel Tips

By Margo Peyton

When you’re getting ready to travel this summer with your family, make the best choices for airlines that cater to family travel and will guarantee you’re seated next to your kids. Check out these best tips for ensuring your family stays together during air travel. (See link:)

Airport tips

  • Pay the higher price for assigned seats. Do not wait until airport check-in.
  • I arrive 3 hours before. Arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before boarding to make time for security. For international flights, 
  • Get a Global Entry for international travel.
  • Get clear for domestic travel.

Flights tips

  • Remember, all children need passports. This process can take 3-6 weeks. If you are traveling with a child with a different last name than yours, you may be required to have travel documentation and proof of guardianship. Check with your airline to find out what you need. When traveling internationally, a passport is required. Again, if you are traveling with a child who is not your own or has a different last name than you, you will most likely be required to show legal documentation for traveling out of the US. This can also be true for single parents traveling alone with a child. Check the immigration site for your destination and your airline.
  • Bring snacks on long flights. Food is rarely provided, and when it is, it may not meet your dietary needs. Pre-order meals on international flights when they are available.
  • Be vigilant about making sure you and your kids remain buckled in for your flights. Many adult and child passengers have recently been injured on flights due to turbulence and not having seatbelts securely fastened. I understand it cannot be easy to keep young kids strapped in, but good habits and consistency can help. Lead by example. Kids should be accustomed to this with cars, and flights are no different. Teach them the importance of safety.
  • Ensure kids and adult family members are using headphones and not playing their entertainment out loud. Remind kids that there are people seated in front and behind them, and their movements directly affect others.
  • Have fun and enjoy the journey. Be kind, patient, and courteous. Come travel with us this summer and create memories that will last a lifetime for your family.

 

Top 10 wreck dives safe to explore with kids

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wrecks, Kids Sea Camp, scuba and kids, wreck diving

Favorite wreck dives to dive with kids at Kids Sea Camp

One type of diving that consistently sparks their curiosity and excitement is wreck diving. As a PADI instructor and scuba mom, I’ve enjoyed exploring countless underwater wonders with my kids. The allure of mystery, the thrill of discovery, and the chance to explore history firsthand make wreck diving an unforgettable family adventure.

Be prepared to dive a wreck

While wreck diving might seem intimidating at first, there are many safe and accessible wrecks worldwide that are perfect for introducing kids to this fascinating aspect of scuba diving. Respecting your children’s dive limitations, profile mandates, and comfort levels is crucial. Remember, trained and experienced wreck divers should only attempt to penetrate wrecks.

Here are the top five

They range from 35′ to 90′ in depth, are relatively easy to navigate, and are situated on sandy bottoms or near shallow reefs near the shore.

1. Grand Cayman Kittiwake (Grand Cayman): This 251-foot former submarine rescue vessel rests in calm, clear water. The ship’s wheel and guns make for fantastic photo ops!

  • Operator: Divetech
  • Depth: 60ft max, deck at 25ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+
  • Highlights: Snorkeling and diving, abundant marine life (groupers, eagle rays, turtles, garden eels, stingrays).

2. La Machaca (Bonaire): This small fishing vessel is just 90 feet from shore and teems with life. Ideal for beginners aged 10+, this shallow wreck is bursting with corals, sponges, fish, and turtles.

  • Operator: Kids Sea Camp  Buddy Dive Resort
  • Depth: 30ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 10+
  • Highlights: Ideal for first-time wreck divers, teeming with marine life (brain corals, sponges, grouper, tarpon, eels, turtles, schooling fish).

3. Jake’s Seaplane (Palau): This WWII reconnaissance plane sits in 30 feet of water. Kids 10+ will love posing for photos with this fascinating piece of history.

  • Operator: Sam’s Tours
  • Depth: 30ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 10+
  • Highlights: Fun for photo ops, perfect for afternoon or dusk dives.

4. Captain Keith Tibbetts (Cayman Brac): A 330-foot Russian frigate transformed into an artificial reef. Explore this coral-encrusted home to groupers, scorpionfish, and eels

  • Operator: Cayman Brac Beach Resort with Reef Divers
  • Depth: 30-100ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+
  • Highlights: Coral-crusted Russian frigate, abundant marine life (groupers, scorpionfish, moray eels), easy to navigate.

5. Lesleen M (St. Lucia): This picturesque 165-foot cargo vessel in 60 feet of water is a haven for marine life. Kids 12+ can marvel at the colorful corals and sponges while spotting tuna, turtles, and lobster.

  • Operator: Kids Sea Camp, Anse Chastane,t and Scuba St. Lucia
  • Depth: 60ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+
  • Highlights: This picturesque wreck is teeming with marine life (fish, tuna, turtles, lobster, macro life, colorful sponges, and soft corals).

The 6/7 is a kid thing

6. Vicky B (St. Lucia): A massive 286-foot cargo ship perfect for advanced divers 15+. Explore the open hull and encounter turtles, rays, and a variety of fish.

  • Operator: Anse Chastanet and Scuba St. Lucia
  • Depth: 70ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 15+ with Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: Immense wreck with a large open hull and forklift, perfect for experienced divers.

7. Roatan Odyssey: Mayan Divers and Subway provide guided dives and training for families here. The Odyssey is indeed A deeper wreck at 110 feet under the surface off Roatan’s shore. At 300 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 85 feet tall, this freighter is Roatan’s largest wreck dive and one of the largest in the Caribbean. I was intentionally sunk for divers in 2002.

This wreck is for kids age 15 or older, preferably with advanced open water certification, with a maximum depth of 120′.  I like to keep them between 70′ and 80′, considering this wreck is 85ft tall, so there is so much to see far above the bottom. 

It’s a spectacular wreck to dive into and shoot. I prefer to circle outside and enjoy the many big grouper, reef sharks, rays, and schooling fish for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Then, I head to the shallow reef for another 30 minutes to enjoy the midnight Parotfish and more interactions with the black grouper. The kids have found a frogfish and a seahorse on this wreck two years in a row.

  • Operator: Mayan Divers or Subway
  • Depth: 110ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 15+ with Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: Roatan’s largest wreck, abundant marine life (grouper, reef sharks, rays, schooling fish).

The best of the wrecks

8. El Aguila (Roatan): This 110-foot freighter was purchased and is owned by AKR and was sunk in 1997 to create an artificial reef. Hurricane Mitch tore her apart, and she currently rests in 3 separate pieces between 60′ and 104′.  She has a plethora of macro life around her top deck. I have found baby boxfish, seahorses, frogfish, juvenile trumpet fish, and eels. The bow is a perfect place to pose for family photos and see the large grouper.

These two wrecks are recommended for families with kids aged 15+ and for AOW-certified divers. Being more mindful of depth, time, and currents is essential. I’ve been taking families diving on these two wrecks for the past 7 years with Mayan Princess and Turquoise Bay. The big turtles, rays, grouper, and schooling fish are so much fun to experience with kids on days with perfect conditions and expert guides. Penetration is only for trained and experienced wreck divers.

  • Operator: Kids Sea Camp, Subway Divers, and Mayan Divers
  • Depth: 60-104ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 15+ with Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: Three separate sections to explore abundant macro life (baby boxfish, seahorses, frogfish, juvenile trumpetfish, eels).

9. Hilma Hooker (Bonaire): The Hilma Hooker is a very famous wreck. This wreck was once a cargo ship, used for drug smuggling, and it was sunk just a 5 min swim offshore. The Hooker sits at a max depth of 80’ on her side. Her hull rises to just above 60 ft at her shallowest point. She is 236 ft long and fully intact. She sank during her passage from Holland in 1984. Local dive operators made the wreck safe for recreational divers.

The water around the hooker is generally crystal clear and easy to navigate. Kids age 12+ with a Jr. Advanced or Advanced diver certification can easily dive into this wreck, staying between 60’ and 70’ft. They can enjoy schools with large tarpon, Barracuda, eagle rays, turtles, and green moray eels. There are several species of shrimps and seahorses around her hull.   Kids aged 15 or older can explore their exterior more thoroughly. Penetration is only for trained and experienced wreck divers.

  • Operator: Buddy Dive Operation
  • Depth: 80ft max, hull rises to 60ft
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+ with Jr. Advanced or Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: The famous drug-smuggling cargo ship and abundant marine life (tarpon, barracuda, eagle rays, turtles, and green moray eels).

10. Belize: Blackbird Caye: The Witconcrete Wreck: Once a sugar transport ship built around 1942, it is now Belize’s first artificial reef. The Wit is one of the largest wreck dives in the Caribbean. She was sunk on an Oasis dive site just 1 minute east of the Blackbird Caye Resort in the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve. The Wit is 375’ long, 56′ wide, and 38′ high; the minimum depth is 50′. The Wit was moved from the US Virgin Islands after 35 years. She was transferred to Belize and moved in May of 2021. 

  • Operator: Blackbird Caye Resort
  • Depth: 50ft minimum
  • Suitable for: Ages 12+ with Jr. Advanced or Advanced Open Water certification
  • Highlights: It is one of the largest wreck dives in the Caribbean and offers abundant marine life (fish, turtles, sharks).

Important Note:

Wreck penetration should only be attempted by trained and experienced certified wreck divers. I hope this list inspires your family’s next underwater adventure! Each dive operator, including Kids Sea Camp, offers the PADI Wreck Diver specialty course for those 15 and older, a fantastic way to learn safe and responsible wreck diving techniques.

Remember to always check conditions like current and visibility before diving, and teach your kids about the wreck’s history and marine life. With proper planning and guidance, wreck diving can be a safe and enriching experience for the whole family.

Additional Tips for Wreck Diving with Kids

  • Choose a suitable wreck: Before diving with your kids, consider the depth, complexity, and marine life of the wreck.
  • Prepare your kids: Dive with a trained professional when diving wrecks. To be better prepared, take the PADI wreck diving course with your kids ages 15 or older. This course will teach you about wreck diving safety and etiquette. 
  • Dive with a reputable operator: Choose one with experience diving with kids and a strong safety record. 
  • Have fun! Wreck diving is a fantastic adventure that can create lasting memories for the whole family.

By Margo Peyton (See link)

Far beyond any imaginable expectation for a dive vacation

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The Arenui, Kids Sea Camp, Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Margo Peyton, Kids Scuba, Margo Peyton, Family Dive Adventures, group dive travel

The Amazing Arenui

Komodo, as a seasoned diver, traveler, and photographer, I expect any liveaboard I book to provide delicious food and the opportunity to dive into the best diving a destination has to offer. With Arenui, my experience far exceeded any imaginable expectations in the amazing adventure on the Komodo Islands.

The excitement was palpable as we transferred from the harbor dock to Arenui. All the guests were excited, as no one could have known how incredible the Arenui experience (Gallery link) would be. From the moment we boarded, everything felt so easy and accommodating.

A gallery on the ocean

Our cabins were ready and waiting for us to settle in and relax. A private tour of Arenui was offered and available on our individual schedule (See video). Walking around her, guests are surrounded by authentic works of art representing the wide and diverse styles from all over Indonesia.

While detailed and stylish wood carvings are found everywhere, be sure not to miss the amazing carvings in the staircase leading to the lower cabins. Many of these hand-carved wood wall panels feature intricate details and depict important stories from the Hindu faith.

The Arenui was built from 7 different types of wood (70% of which was recycled), and its natural beauty makes one feel relaxed and calm. No detail was spared, and splendor can be found in everything from the large handmade dining tables to the custom hinges and handles throughout. In the Sky Lounge area (upper deck), there is a stunning handmade support that resembles a typical Balinese entryway you might see in front of a home.

Each room is spacious and appointed with unique art representing the different provinces of Indonesia. In addition to unique storyboard wood carvings, each room is also adorned with elegant textiles and handicrafts. Each cabin has its own theme, which is reflected in the woven artwork and style of this magnificent private space for guests to relax. Whether in the dining room, the upper deck, or your stateroom, relaxation comes naturally as you drift away amid the Indonesian dreamscape.

Crew outnumber the guests

Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Kids Sea Camp, Margo PeytonA decadent ship deserves an even more impeccable crew, and team Arenui does not disappoint. To start with, the 22 serving crew members outnumber the 16 guests. If assistance is needed, whether in the dining room or on the dive deck, someone is always standing by. The crew consistently goes out of their way to ensure the guests are completely pampered and satisfied. All the crew feels like mind-readers, anticipating your needs and desires before you even realize them yourself.

Along with an excellent crew, there is a world-class kitchen ready to accommodate any dietary needs and lifestyle choices. Epic three- and four-course meals are served every day, accommodating all diets, including gluten-free, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, and other restrictions. Each meal is custom-made as servers and chefs quickly come to understand each guest’s wishes. In line with their tradition of indulgence, the Arenui serves Michelin-grade meals that far exceed the most demanding culinary desires.

The best diving ever

Everyone knows Indonesia is among the most biologically diverse places on the planet to dive. Diving from Arenui reflects that superbly during the Komodo trip. As each guest came back from each dive to claim, “it was their best dive ever.” The itinerary contained everything from large schools of fish, huge mantas, a variety of sharks, the most vibrant corals, and crazy critters in the muck. The diversity of fish and coral is mind-bending, with sites like Crystal Rock and Castle Rock overwhelming even the most experienced diver. In addition, the dive guides are so in tune with the environment that they can predict animal behavior, ensuring manta ray sightings. The guides also seem to have “bionic eyes” as their ability to spot super small critters is uncanny. It’s not uncommon for each dive to easily include a hundred or more different types of corals, fish, and nudibranchs.

Dive pangas go out with a guide and a group of just four divers at a time, giving everyone plenty of room on the boat and in the water. On the short ride out, guests relax in comfort while a staff member dons their fins. Before getting into the Komodo water, the team helps each diver don their dive kit. After the dive, the team assists divers by removing their weights and gear. They remove your fins underwater, so an easy climb into the boat is all that is required.

The staff never quits serving

When you return from a dive, the boat crew helps you remove your wetsuit and wash your gear while you drink tea or hot chocolate. The gear is then hung to dry and “magically” reappears at your station when it’s time to suit up again.

As with everything on the Arenui, it seems the staff has thought of everything, creating an unparalleled diving experience. In my opinion, this is 5 Diamond service, as Margo and Tom Peyton say. A dive trip on the Arenui is an experience like no other. The food, staff, diving, and boats far exceed the most discerning dive traveler. The quality and authenticity of the experience will undoubtedly satisfy all divers.

I believe that before departing on this trip, each guest contacted Margo and Tom, the owners of Kids Sea Camp, and booked multiple return flights. Arenui was Tom’s find, and it was an amazing one. This was Arenui’s first Kids Sea Camp, and, for obvious reasons, it was for kids aged 14 and up who are certified divers. The coming itinerary with Family Dive Adventures includes Alor, Komodo, Raja Ampat, and the Forgotten Islands. Both empty-nest adult trips and more KSC trips are available.

Arenui is a sure-to-please experience like no other. It’s no wonder these trips are often booked up to two years in advance. I look forward to sharing another incredible Arenui Adventures with families soon.

By Josh Comay

Please go to the photo gallery to see more of the infinite critters and seascapes captured.

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