Destination: Little Cayman
Little Cayman Beach Resort with Reef Divers
Introduction
Individual Family Dive Vacations
Reflecting Little Cayman’s quaint charm and intimate warmth, Little Cayman Beach Resort is a secluded oceanfront oasis with a relaxed island ambiance, a boutique spa, Caribbean-inspired cuisine, and gracious personal service that offers an authentic island experience. It is perfect for a unique family vacation. (Check out what we have planned for Kids Sea Camp in 2027)
Little Cayman Beach Resort offers hotel-style rooms with similar ocean and beach views. Each room has a spacious bedroom, bathroom, and sitting area with a balcony overlooking the pool, beach, and ocean. This resort is an excellent getaway for a family dive vacation. There is paddle boarding, snorkeling, fly fishing, bike riding, caves to climb, and pristine reefs to dive.
Why is Little Cayman so relaxing? There are only about 170 full-time residents on the entire island, and they spend a lot of time under the water.
The island had been named a top dive site in the Caribbean for its iconic Bloody Bay Wall, year-round perfect diving conditions, pristine coral reefs, and spectacular marine life with our unique valet diving service, all aboard a fleet of custom Newton-built dive boats. The resort brings this magnificent experience beneath the sea directly onto the sand.
Family Dive Adventures packages are custom-designed to fit your family’s needs. They include seven nights, all meals, coffee, tea, and juices, and meals and snacks provided on dive boats. We offer all PADI courses with our packages and customize them to your kids’ needs. Private dive guides and instructors are available.
Rates, Prices & Specials
Here are the rates for Little Cayman Beach Resort in the Cayman Islands. Remember when booking with Family Dives Adventures, you always get the 5% loyality discount on retail rates.
Packages
Classic Cayman Diver 7-night package
Starting from $2,695 Pool view room
- Seven nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (dinner arrival day through breakfast departure day)
- Drink package – 21 included drinks**
- 6 X 2-tank AM + 5 x 1-tank PM boat dives (17 boat dives total for 7-night package)
- Morning dive trip to Little Cayman to dive Bloody Bay Marine Park included as one of the AM dives at no additional charge (weather permitting)
- Complimentary use of dive computer (we require them)
- Complimentary WiFi
- Welcome rum punch
- Manager’s cocktail reception
- Airport ground transfers
- Resort fees, taxes, & gratuities – except dive gratuities, which are not included
*Prices listed are per person based on double occupancy in standard (lowest priced) rooms. Rates for other resorts, room types, occupancy, dates, and packages may differ. All travel requires a Saturday arrival with a 7-night stay.
**Drink packages include a choice of menu cocktails and well drinks, single-serve beers and ciders, house wines by the glass, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Cayman Escape 7-Night Dive Package
Starting from $2,395 Pool view room
- Seven nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner daily (dinner arrival day through breakfast departure day)
- No drinks
- 6 X 2-tank AM (12 boat dives total for 7-night package)
- Morning dive trip to Cayman Brac included as one of the AM dives at no additional charge (weather permitting)
- Complimentary use of dive computer (we require them)
- Complimentary WiFi
- Welcome rum punch
- Manager’s cocktail reception
- Airport ground transfers
- Resort fees, taxes, & gratuities – except dive gratuities, which are not included
**Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy in a standard (lowest-priced) room. Rates for other resorts, room types, occupancy, dates, and packages may differ. All travel requires a Saturday arrival with a 7-night stay.
Accommodations
The beach and ocean is everywhere
The Cayman Islands Resort guest rooms include new furnishings inspired by tropical colors and textures, Caribbean themed artwork, newly decorated bathrooms, fixtures, and flooring. The resort has a total of 40 air-conditioned, spacious rooms situated in two-story ‘palm-tree height’ buildings and surrounded by lush tropical foliage.
Features of the 28 Pool view rooms that encircle the pool
- Two doubles or one king-size bed
- Individually controlled air conditioning and ceiling fan
- Flat-screen television, DVD players, and alarm clock
- Refrigerator
- Coffee-maker complete with Wolfgang Puck brand coffee
- Beverage center
- Private bathroom with shower
- A hairdryer and deluxe bath amenity package
- Room safe
- Free Wifi
12 Oceanfront Rooms
These rooms are located directly on the beach with spectacular views of the turquoise water and reef.
Here are the additional amenities:
- Private balcony or patio with sun loungers
- Microwave
- Wet bar
- Seating area with couch and coffee table
- Housekeeping service is provided daily.
- Little Cayman Beach Resort offers oceanfront and pool view rooms with two doubles or one king bed. A maximum of four guests may stay in a room.
- The oceanfront rooms are slightly larger and have a microwave and a small lounge area.
Please Note: All rooms and buildings within our Cayman Islands resort are smoke-free.
Diving / Diving Site(s)
Valet Diving: Experience diving like never before
Almost too many to list, but we are gonna list them anyway
3 dives per day and 1 Three tank day over Cayman Brac
Barracuda Bight: This is the next to the last site in Bloody Bay. Little Cayman Dive Sites: We have fingers or outcroppings from the wall in this area. You will find the Sailfin Blenny and many other juveniles and small fish in the shallows. There are many crevices and overhangs to explore here. Lobster and Spider Crabs are often found here, along with Nurse Sharks, Green Moray, and Black and White Moray Eels.
Blacktop Boulevard: Named for the Blacktip sharks that have been seen on occasion, you are likely to see Caribbean Reef sharks and Eagle Rays. A Manta Ray has also been seen cruising the blue at this site. Look into the deep crevices and come face to face with big-eyed Squirrelfish, Lobsters, and various blennies and gobies. Giant barrel sponges dwarf divers as they glide by. In the sand, look out for the tiny garden eels that retreat into their sand burrows as you approach.
Bus Stop: Large barrel sponges, blue chromis, and other schooling fish make this site busy and colorful. A sand chute down into the deep also makes Bus Stop a great dive—keep your eyes open for passing Eagle rays, Turtles, and Stingrays, and check the Vase Sponges for Goby cleaner fish, Crinoids, and Arrow Crabs.
Cascades: This is the first and most northern point in the Jackson Point area. Once you’ve entered the water and started down, you will understand the meaning of Cascades. This is the area where it all cascades down to “La La Land”. You will find turtles, sharks, eagles, and Stingrays on this far-out site, as well as conch. The coral heads in this area look like small mountain ranges.
Coconut Walk: This spectacular site toward the west end of the Bloody Bay Wall is like a smaller main wall split in two – a mini-wall at a depth of 30ft and the main wall at 60ft. As you navigate the site – keep your eyes open for pillar coral and the turtles and stingrays that swim around them. Angelfish (Gray, Queen, and French) and Parrotfish are usually found on the mini-wall. Juveniles of all sorts (including Butterflyfish, Spotted drums) can be found. Occasionally, lemon (or yellow) rays can also be found here. Off the main wall is a favorite place to spot cruising reef sharks.
Cumber’s Caves: Definitely request this site if you like swim-throughs. There are two or three that will take you from the sandy boulevard and spit you out on the sheer wall at about 80-100ft. Aside from the exciting swim-throughs, you can also see a variety of juveniles on the mini wall. If you stick to the sandy area, look out for eagle rays feeding, Southern stingrays, and numerous garden eels.
Donna’s Delight: Donna’s Delight is much like Marilyn’s Cut. One thing that seems to be abundant on this site is Flamingo Tongue shells. Nurse Sharks are frequently seen along with these sites. You may find Flying Gurnards in the shallow areas, too. Sailfin Blenny is common, but you need a trained eye to see them. They are only about 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″ long. They dance above their burrows and fleet back into them when approached.
Eagle Ray Roundup: This site is a large sandy area typical of Jackson Bay. Occasionally, we find more than one or two Eagle Rays here. The location is surrounded by extensive coral head formations bordered by the wall reef. You will find large parrotfish munching on the sand and Sting Rays and Hog Snapper. There are also friendly French Angels and Grouper here.
Great Wall East & West: There is only one word you can use to describe the Great Wall West & East dive sites – AWESOME! The majestic vertical wall is unbelievable, and in the shallows, you will find large coral heads teeming with life. Ensure you swim away from the wall to appreciate it in its full glory. Black coral, large sponges in yellow and red, and critters dot the wall, making a great photo, and if you look closely, you might see the occasional Seahorse or Lettuce-leaf Seaslug.
Jackson Reef: This site abounds with marine life. During the day, you will find some very friendly French Angels who will be more than willing to have their pictures taken. Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Yellow Sting Rays, and Moray Eels (both green and black and white), are frequently seen here. In and around the rubble area, you will find many small fish, such as Yellow Headed Jaw Fish, Sand Tile Fish, Sand Divers, and a variety of juveniles. For the night diver, there are a lot of night dwellers to be seen – Octopus, Basket Starfish, and Orange Ball Anemones, to name a few.
Joy’s Joy: The last dive site in the Bloody Bay area, with coral fingers and a mini wall, is a great place to spot the Caribbean spiny lobster. Eagle rays and sharks can be seen cruising through on your dive and be sure to check all the nooks and crannies for huge Green moray eels and smaller Spotted morays. The schooling fish, such as Yellowtail Snapper and blue-striped Grunts, will keep you company throughout the dive.
Lea’s Lookout: Lobsters, Arrow Crabs, Yellowhead Jawfish, & Sailfin Blennies are among the critters that can be seen. Sailfin Blennies live in holes on the hardpan between the coral outcrops, and the Jawfish live in cylindrical burrows among the rubble and sand – hovering vertically above their homes. Sharks and Eagle Rays can be seen cruising the site along with Hawksbill & Green Turtles. Check cracks and crevices for green or spotted Moray Eels.
Marilyn’s Cut: This site has some excellent swim-throughs where two fairly deep canyons cut into the reef. Lots of yellow tube sponges, along with red rope sponges, dot the wall. The friendly resident Nassau grouper (Benji) and her friend will happily accompany you throughout your dive and even pose for a photo if you are lucky!
The Meadows: The Meadows is one of our favorite shallow dive sites. With sand at 35 feet total of Southern Stingrays, Conch, Garden Eels, Razorfish, and a maze of beautifully encrusted coral heads sitting right under the boat, you could spend your whole dive without straying far from the ship. For those who prefer deep dives, the wall is a few kicks away through short swim-throughs and out into the amphitheater, which is a large natural part of the wall.
Randy’s Gazebo: The chimney and archway are the greatest points of interest here. The entrance to the chimney is around 40 ft, and then it’s 40 ft straight down. An excellent opportunity to head west on the wall around 75ft where you can check out the large and plentiful barrel sponges. You will then encounter a great photo op – a striking archway that makes the perfect frame for divers or fish hovering in the blue water. There are also a few caves and a mini-chimney to be discovered. Look out for Black dragons, Butterflyfish, and turtles throughout the dive.
The Mixing Bowl: Named Mixing Bowl because this is where the Jackson’s Bight section meets the Bloody Bay section – which in turn makes for a great site with a sheer wall and rugged coral fingers. Swim through here is great and can pop you out on the wall to admire the purple, red, yellow, and orange sponges. Schools of blue Chromis, grunts, and snappers will be in the shallows, looking out for the huge barracuda under the boat.
Mike’s Mount: This dive site has many things to discover. As you move north of the Cascades site, you can look at some history. The first thing to be found is a small cannon on this site. Moving to the north, there are many anchors to be seen. You will have to look for these artifacts, which have been transformed to resemble their surroundings. There are tunnels through the wall (to “La La Land”) as well as a cannon in the shallows. We’ve seen sharks, turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, eels, etc. There are friendly Queen Trigger and French Angels, as well as Grouper.
Sarah’s Set: This site affords both deep and shallow diving. You can take the drop-off to “La La Land” or cruise through many canyons and sand flats. You will find friendly French Angels and Queen Triggers. Among the rubble areas, you will find Jaw Fish, Sand Tile Fish, and many other small dwellers on the reef. You may also see sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, and turtles swimming here occasionally. Some great tunnels open onto the wall.
Dive Training
- PADI SASY program: Six mornings of activities from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. SASY kids keep fins, masks, and snorkels.
- PADI SEAL TEAM: Six mornings of activities from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, including all 5 aqua missions. SEAL kids keep fins, masks, and snorkels.
- PADI Open Water: All dives needed for certification (eLearning is not included. For eLearning, you will have to pay PADI directly. The link will be sent to you 4 weeks before departure to be completed prior to arrival.)
- PADI Dive Master course: RSVP 14 DAYS REQUIRED $675 add-on to package price/Contact Margo 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning and Crew Pack included
- PADI Dive Rescue Diver: RSVP $175 add-on to package price. Contact Margo at 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning, and Crew Pack included.
See more about Kids Sea Camp dive training.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Great food in a great location
The Bird of Paradise Dining: Staffed by an international team of trained Chefs, the Bird of Paradise appeals to the most discerning taste buds and serves a wide variety of gourmet international and Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Choose to dine in our air-conditioned dining room, screened lanai, or al fresco on the patio with our resident iguanas! The Chef will happily accommodate those with special dietary or vegetarian needs.
Beach Nuts Bar: Beach Nuts is centrally located at the resort, adjacent to the pool, and overlooking the Caribbean Sea beyond. This is the hub of island activity, and you will find something for everyone. The menu includes many local and imported beers, fine wine, tropical cocktails, premium spirits, and Cuban cigars.
The week at Kids Sea Camp can include events such as a Manager’s Rum Punch reception, karaoke, trivia, and other theme nights. Beach Nuts Bar also features a pub-inspired menu of lighter fare.
For the artistically inclined, collect a piece of driftwood from the beach and use the selection of paints to add to Little Cayman Beach Resort’s ever-growing collection of Bar Art.
Dining hours are tailored to dive schedules, including extended hours to accommodate night dives.
Activities
There’s more than diving at Little Cayman
Little Cayman is not all about diving Bloody Bay Wall, it is but it isn’t. On the island, you can fish, get a massage, hiking in a national park, kayak, paddleboard, spend an afternoon in a unique island Museum, or get a wonderful massage.
Fishing: Little Cayman Beach Resort offers different fishing experiences for anglers of all levels and is a great way for people to experience the entire island. Little Cayman is an angler’s dream with Bonefish, Tarpon, and great Tuna fishing. Call Tom about booking an afternoon or a full-day charter at 803.419.2556.
Please note: Little Cayman Sport Fishing is closed seasonally between August 15th – October 31st.
Other water sports: The South Sound offers protected shallow waters for enjoying kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Single Kayak
- Double Kayak
- Paddleboard
All watersports are available during the dive shop opening hours, 7 am-5 pm.
Biking: Beach cruiser bicycles are available for guests during the day and with an elevation of only 40ft (12M), there are not too many hills to worry about on Little Cayman!
Hiking: The Salt Rocks Nature Trail is located on the Western end of Little Cayman. It is a historic site with abandoned phosphate mines and a railway track and is home to migratory birds, rock iguanas, butterflies, orchids, and tropical plants.
Tennis & Basketball: Feel free to exercise and have fun on the floodlit tennis and basketball court! Due to the heat, playing hoop and tennis at night is recommended.
Hammocks: Relax and unwind in the hammocks along the beach. This is the perfect spot to read or catch an afternoon nap.
Little Cayman Museum: Founded by Linton Tibbetts, this quaint museum displays over 150 years of historical information, artifacts, and an inside look at Island life. Mr. “T” was born on Cayman Brac in 1923 and has been a major contributor to preserving the island’s history. He has a great passion for the rich culture and heritage of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac and has established these museums to share with island visitors.
Little Cayman Marine Museum: Also founded by Linton Tibbetts, the museum pays tribute to the many sea captains who called the Cayman Islands their home and offers a glimpse of their colorful past.
National Trust House: The National Trust is dedicated to preserving and educating the public about the island’s natural environment. The National Trust Visitor’s Centre offers library services, local crafts, homemade ice cream, and viewing platforms for bird-watching.
The Nature Spa: Nature Spa offers a unique spa experience for both men and women. Carefully selected products ensure you are at one with nature. Each visit is a combined endeavor for you and your spa therapist. Whether your goal is to relax, rejuvenate, or renew, our experienced and licensed professional will help to take you on a journey that promotes a healthy mind, body, and skin.
Massages offered at the Nature Spa
- Swedish
- Deep Tissue
- Pregnancy massage
- Acupressure
- Reflexology
Know Before You Go
Grand Cayman then to Little Cayman
Getting to Grand Cayman is as easy as flying to any major city in the US. Almost every major US airport has a direct flight to Grand Cayman. Once you get to Grand Cayman, you must take a flight on Cayman Airways to get to Little Cayman.
The main airport in the Cayman Islands, Owen Roberts International Airport, is located on the largest Island, Grand Cayman. The sister island of Cayman Brac also has its airport, Charles Kirkconnell Airport. These two airports serve as the Cayman Islands’ main ports of entry for visitors. Daily inter-island flights serve Little Cayman.
There are approximately 116 weekly flights into the Cayman Islands, including 42 flights each week between Miami and Grand Cayman, with connections to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Cayman Airways and American Airlines provide non-stop service from Miami.
With eight airlines flying into Grand Cayman from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, booking your Cayman Islands experience is easier than ever!
Cayman Airways and Cayman Express provide inter-island service between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, making travel to the Cayman Islands quick and easy.
Little Cayman Beach Resort
Dates
Introduction
Escape to Little Cayman Beach Resort, a secluded oceanfront oasis perfect for families
Kids Sea Camp has created yet another magical family vacation for every member to enjoy. Remote, luxury in the Cayman Islands at this perfect little boutique-style resort, painted pink as it blends in with the color-filled sky at each spectacular sunset. A pool on the beach for families to enjoy at the end of the day, watching their kids enjoy some pool or beach volleyball. A relaxing cocktail while reminiscing about the day’s dives with each other. Snorkeling, paddle boarding, island hiking, and lazy hammocks await any family member. This island paradise is where you will find the white sand and blue hues you have dreamed about sharing with your family. The diving is some of the best the Caribbean offers, from tiny lettuce-leaf nudibranchs to sandy bottoms covered in conch and eagle rays that seem unaffected by the presence of young drivers. Garden Eels resemble tall grass in a distant prairie as they sway to the gentle surge that creates diving zen. Kids and parents can dive together anytime or enjoy diving with like-minded newfound friends.
Why Choose Little Cayman with Us?
- Unbeatable Diving: Explore the legendary Bloody Bay Wall and enjoy year-round perfect diving conditions. Our unique valet diving service whisks you away on custom Newton-built dive boats for up to 3 dives a day.
- Family Fun for Everyone: Beyond diving, enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, island biking, cave hiking, basketball, tennis, and relaxing on our beautiful white sand beach. Our resort boasts a beach bar and pool, all steps from your oceanfront room.
- Kids Sea Camp Experience: Join our special Kids Sea Camp event and create lifelong memories! We offer scuba diving certification training for adults and kids, making it easy for the whole family to explore the underwater world.
- Get Certified with Ease: Complete your PADI E-learning before arrival, and then just five training dives on days one and two get you diving with your family! Private guides/divemasters are available for added comfort and ease.
- Expertly Crafted Packages: We’ve been selling Cayman Islands vacations for 30 years and know it inside and out. We offer customized packages year-round for families, including stays at Little Cayman Beach Resort and Brac Beach Resort with Reef Divers.
- Unparalleled Kids Sea Camp Support: At our Kids Sea Camp events, we provide a boat captain and two dive pros on every boat. Kids enjoy private instructors and kid-friendly dive profiles (as PADI mandates require) for a safe and unforgettable experience.
- Time Together, Time Apart: Enjoy quality family time while also connecting with other like-minded families from around the world.
Ready to dive into your dream family vacation?
We have fantastic dive deals for Little Cayman Beach Resort this year. Call us at 803.419.2556 to speak with one of our dive travel experts and start planning your unforgettable getaway! We’ll help you create the perfect custom-designed family dive vacation.
Little Cayman sounds great, doesn’t it? Call us about your custom-designed family dive vacation at 803.419.2556
Welcome to our Kids Sea Camp weeks in Little Cayman
We chose Little Cayman because it’s one of those places where you feel grateful to be alive, with the ones you love most, and can sit back and feel blessed to be right there at that moment. The food is presented for every palate and every diet, from gluten-free to vegetarian, and even for those carnivorous eaters, the meats are prepared expertly to your taste. Kids’ menus are ready as they like and what they like. We know this will be another top memory of the chart that will last a lifetime. Reef Divers is the dive operation, and the service level is valet diving. You are welcome to do it yourself or sit back and let your dive gear be gently adorned, requiring only a giant stride to your place of peace and joy.
Rates & Prices
We are working on the rates for Little Cayman Beach Resort in the Cayman Islands in 2027.
| Room Types | Diver (Adult, Child, & JOW)(Per- person) | Non-Diver (Per-Person) |
|---|---|---|
| One bedroom Ocean front double rate Per person | $4,150 | $3,650 |
| One bedroom Ocean front (single rate adult) | $5,350 | $4,850 |
| Seal Team: In same room as adult | $3,400 | NA |
| SASY: In same room as adult | $2,700 | NA |
| Pay at resort gear rental for certified divers $290 per diver per week | Drinks Package add-on for adults 21 drinks $220 and $120 for child drink package- Must be pre booked for this rate. | |
| PADI courses available to add-on to adult and certified diver rate. E:learning, crew pack materials and training included. $450 | Nitrox course: E:learning required and included the add-on to certified diver package or adult diver package must be completed prior to arrival with unlimited FREE Nitrox tanks Pre booked rate is $250 per diver | PADI digital photo/video course add-on includes the use of underwater camera $350 |
| Advance Open Water Course add-on to adult diver package $400 Deep, Night, PPB, Fish ID, Boat dives includes E:learning | Rescue diver with E:learning include, crew pack, and training add-on to certified diver package or adult diver package $450 | Adventure diverCertification, age 10 or 11 includes e:learing and 3 adventure dives$250 |
Package Includes
A sample of a normal package
- 7 nights Little Cayman Beach Resort
- 5 days of diving, three boat dives daily (Sunday-Thursday)+2 dives on Friday
- Nitrox for Nitrox certified divers(C-card required)
- Three meals daily (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily)included starting with lunch on Sat and ending with breakfast on Sunday
- Soft drinks for kids aged 16 and under
- SASY 6 days (For kids 4-7): All rental gear, snorkeling, SASY unit, swimming, island exploring, treasure hunt, arts and crafts, beach games. Free Fins, mask, & snorkel
- PADI Seal Team 6 days (For kids 8-9): All rental gear of PADI Aqua Missions. Swimming, island exploring, treasure hunt, arts and crafts, beach games, ocean dives, Fins, masks & snorkel for them to KEEP
- Jr. Open Water (For kids 10-17): Private PADI instructor, rental dive gear, five confined dives & 4 open water dives. Private instructor dives three additional days with students on a dive boat, fins, mask, and snorkel for them to KEEP (This is a gift from KSC; it is only for Jr. Open
- Water students in children’s sizes. Adult sizes are not included for the giveaway.)
- Dive rental gear is free for kids aged 14 and under.
- One boat captain + 2 dive staff in water with certified divers
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Biking, Kayaking & Beach games
- Fly fishing is available upon request
- Marine presentations
- Island tour
- Treasure hunt for SASY and Seal Team kids- including fun prizes.
- Kids Sea Camp tote bags, T-shirts, and other giveaways (giveaways vary per sponsor)
- Kids Sea Camp Host
- Opening dinner and presentation
- Closing dinner and presentation and poetry with gifts.
- Pizza and Movie night
- Slide show and karaoke
- T-shirts
- Hats
Not included:
- Continuing Education courses: Additional courses are not included with Kids Sea Camp trips. Please request and if we have available instructors we will do our best to provide. Our priority is with keeping kids safe and our instructors are provided to dive with the kids.
- Nitrox course with E: Learning was completed before arrival. RSVP to Kids Sea Camp at the time of the booking (eLearning required but not included)
- e; learning for the JOW course is not included. Use the link we provide you for the course and pay PADI directly with our store code 22402.
- The drinks package (21 drinks package gratuity included $200) requires RSVP and pre-payment at the time of booking.
- gratuities for dive staff
- Round trip air to and from Little Cayman (LYB)
- Dive rental gear for anyone over the age of 14 is not included
- Soft drinks package for anyone over the age of 16 is not included
- Any additional nights, meals, or diving are not included but can be requested based on availability
Schedule
Once you arrive on the island
This is a general schedule that can change depending on the weather or other things beyond our control. Other activities such as lionfish hunting, photo dives, PPB dives, boat and drift dives for certified divers can be included in the normal schedule for activities.
- Saturday: Arrival day and orientation
- Sunday: 3 boat dives daily for all certified divers, and SASY, Seal, JOW daily programs
- Monday: 3 boat dives daily for all certified divers, and SASY Seal, JOW daily programs
- Tuesday: 3 boat dives daily for all certified divers, and SASY, Seal, JOW daily programs
- Wednesday: 3 boat dives daily for all certified divers, and SASY Seal, JOW daily programs, and Pizza Movie night
- Thursday (Thanksgiving day): 2 boat dives, Thanksgiving dinner party
- Friday: Family dive day and closing celebration
- Saturday: Travel day — back to reality!
Accommodations
The beach and ocean is everywhere
The Cayman Islands Resort guest rooms include new furnishings inspired by tropical colors and textures, Caribbean themed artwork, newly decorated bathrooms, fixtures, and flooring. The resort has a total of 40 air-conditioned, spacious rooms situated in two-story ‘palm-tree height’ buildings and surrounded by lush tropical foliage.
Features of the 28 Pool view rooms that encircle the pool
- Two doubles or one king-size bed
- Individually controlled air conditioning and ceiling fan
- Flat-screen television, DVD players, and alarm clock
- Refrigerator
- Coffee-maker complete with Wolfgang Puck brand coffee
- Beverage center
- Private bathroom with shower
- A hairdryer and deluxe bath amenity package
- Room safe
- Free Wifi
12 Oceanfront Rooms
These rooms are located directly on the beach with spectacular views of the turquoise water and reef.
Here are the additional amenities:
- Private balcony or patio with sun loungers
- Microwave
- Wet bar
- Seating area with couch and coffee table
- Housekeeping service is provided daily.
- Little Cayman Beach Resort offers oceanfront and pool view rooms with two doubles or one king bed. A maximum of four guests may stay in a room.
- The oceanfront rooms are slightly larger and have a microwave and a small lounge area.
Please Note: All rooms and buildings within our Cayman Islands resort are smoke-free.
Diving / Diving Site(s)
Valet Diving: Experience diving like never before
Almost too many to list, but we are gonna list them anyway
3 dives per day and 1 Three tank day over Cayman Brac
Barracuda Bight: This is the next to the last site in Bloody Bay. Little Cayman Dive Sites: We have fingers or outcroppings from the wall in this area. You will find the Sailfin Blenny and many other juveniles and small fish in the shallows. There are many crevices and overhangs to explore here. Lobster and Spider Crabs are often found here, along with Nurse Sharks, Green Moray, and Black and White Moray Eels.
Blacktop Boulevard: Named for the Blacktip sharks that have been seen on occasion, you are likely to see Caribbean Reef sharks and Eagle Rays. A Manta Ray has also been seen cruising the blue at this site. Look into the deep crevices and come face to face with big-eyed Squirrelfish, Lobsters, and various blennies and gobies. Giant barrel sponges dwarf divers as they glide by. In the sand, look out for the tiny garden eels that retreat into their sand burrows as you approach.
Bus Stop: Large barrel sponges, blue chromis, and other schooling fish make this site busy and colorful. A sand chute down into the deep also makes Bus Stop a great dive—keep your eyes open for passing Eagle rays, Turtles, and Stingrays, and check the Vase Sponges for Goby cleaner fish, Crinoids, and Arrow Crabs.
Cascades: This is the first and most northern point in the Jackson Point area. Once you’ve entered the water and started down, you will understand the meaning of Cascades. This is the area where it all cascades down to “La La Land”. You will find turtles, sharks, eagles, and Stingrays on this far-out site, as well as conch. The coral heads in this area look like small mountain ranges.
Coconut Walk: This spectacular site toward the west end of the Bloody Bay Wall is like a smaller main wall split in two – a mini-wall at a depth of 30ft and the main wall at 60ft. As you navigate the site – keep your eyes open for pillar coral and the turtles and stingrays that swim around them. Angelfish (Gray, Queen, and French) and Parrotfish are usually found on the mini-wall. Juveniles of all sorts (including Butterflyfish, Spotted drums) can be found. Occasionally, lemon (or yellow) rays can also be found here. Off the main wall is a favorite place to spot cruising reef sharks.
Cumber’s Caves: Definitely request this site if you like swim-throughs. There are two or three that will take you from the sandy boulevard and spit you out on the sheer wall at about 80-100ft. Aside from the exciting swim-throughs, you can also see a variety of juveniles on the mini wall. If you stick to the sandy area, look out for eagle rays feeding, Southern stingrays, and numerous garden eels.
Donna’s Delight: Donna’s Delight is much like Marilyn’s Cut. One thing that seems to be abundant on this site is Flamingo Tongue shells. Nurse Sharks are frequently seen along with these sites. You may find Flying Gurnards in the shallow areas, too. Sailfin Blenny is common, but you need a trained eye to see them. They are only about 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″ long. They dance above their burrows and fleet back into them when approached.
Eagle Ray Roundup: This site is a large sandy area typical of Jackson Bay. Occasionally, we find more than one or two Eagle Rays here. The location is surrounded by extensive coral head formations bordered by the wall reef. You will find large parrotfish munching on the sand and Sting Rays and Hog Snapper. There are also friendly French Angels and Grouper here.
Great Wall East & West: There is only one word you can use to describe the Great Wall West & East dive sites – AWESOME! The majestic vertical wall is unbelievable, and in the shallows, you will find large coral heads teeming with life. Ensure you swim away from the wall to appreciate it in its full glory. Black coral, large sponges in yellow and red, and critters dot the wall, making a great photo, and if you look closely, you might see the occasional Seahorse or Lettuce-leaf Seaslug.
Jackson Reef: This site abounds with marine life. During the day, you will find some very friendly French Angels who will be more than willing to have their pictures taken. Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Yellow Sting Rays, and Moray Eels (both green and black and white), are frequently seen here. In and around the rubble area, you will find many small fish, such as Yellow Headed Jaw Fish, Sand Tile Fish, Sand Divers, and a variety of juveniles. For the night diver, there are a lot of night dwellers to be seen – Octopus, Basket Starfish, and Orange Ball Anemones, to name a few.
Joy’s Joy: The last dive site in the Bloody Bay area, with coral fingers and a mini wall, is a great place to spot the Caribbean spiny lobster. Eagle rays and sharks can be seen cruising through on your dive and be sure to check all the nooks and crannies for huge Green moray eels and smaller Spotted morays. The schooling fish, such as Yellowtail Snapper and blue-striped Grunts, will keep you company throughout the dive.
Lea’s Lookout: Lobsters, Arrow Crabs, Yellowhead Jawfish, & Sailfin Blennies are among the critters that can be seen. Sailfin Blennies live in holes on the hardpan between the coral outcrops, and the Jawfish live in cylindrical burrows among the rubble and sand – hovering vertically above their homes. Sharks and Eagle Rays can be seen cruising the site along with Hawksbill & Green Turtles. Check cracks and crevices for green or spotted Moray Eels.
Marilyn’s Cut: This site has some excellent swim-throughs where two fairly deep canyons cut into the reef. Lots of yellow tube sponges, along with red rope sponges, dot the wall. The friendly resident Nassau grouper (Benji) and her friend will happily accompany you throughout your dive and even pose for a photo if you are lucky!
The Meadows: The Meadows is one of our favorite shallow dive sites. With sand at 35 feet total of Southern Stingrays, Conch, Garden Eels, Razorfish, and a maze of beautifully encrusted coral heads sitting right under the boat, you could spend your whole dive without straying far from the ship. For those who prefer deep dives, the wall is a few kicks away through short swim-throughs and out into the amphitheater, which is a large natural part of the wall.
Randy’s Gazebo: The chimney and archway are the greatest points of interest here. The entrance to the chimney is around 40 ft, and then it’s 40 ft straight down. An excellent opportunity to head west on the wall around 75ft where you can check out the large and plentiful barrel sponges. You will then encounter a great photo op – a striking archway that makes the perfect frame for divers or fish hovering in the blue water. There are also a few caves and a mini-chimney to be discovered. Look out for Black dragons, Butterflyfish, and turtles throughout the dive.
The Mixing Bowl: Named Mixing Bowl because this is where the Jackson’s Bight section meets the Bloody Bay section – which in turn makes for a great site with a sheer wall and rugged coral fingers. Swim through here is great and can pop you out on the wall to admire the purple, red, yellow, and orange sponges. Schools of blue Chromis, grunts, and snappers will be in the shallows, looking out for the huge barracuda under the boat.
Mike’s Mount: This dive site has many things to discover. As you move north of the Cascades site, you can look at some history. The first thing to be found is a small cannon on this site. Moving to the north, there are many anchors to be seen. You will have to look for these artifacts, which have been transformed to resemble their surroundings. There are tunnels through the wall (to “La La Land”) as well as a cannon in the shallows. We’ve seen sharks, turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, eels, etc. There are friendly Queen Trigger and French Angels, as well as Grouper.
Sarah’s Set: This site affords both deep and shallow diving. You can take the drop-off to “La La Land” or cruise through many canyons and sand flats. You will find friendly French Angels and Queen Triggers. Among the rubble areas, you will find Jaw Fish, Sand Tile Fish, and many other small dwellers on the reef. You may also see sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, and turtles swimming here occasionally. Some great tunnels open onto the wall.
Dive Training
- PADI SASY program: Six mornings of activities from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. SASY kids keep fins, masks, and snorkels.
- PADI SEAL TEAM: Six mornings of activities from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, including all 5 aqua missions. SEAL kids keep fins, masks, and snorkels.
- PADI Open Water: All dives needed for certification (eLearning is not included. For eLearning, you will have to pay PADI directly. The link will be sent to you 4 weeks before departure to be completed prior to arrival.)
- PADI Dive Master course: RSVP 14 DAYS REQUIRED $675 add-on to package price/Contact Margo 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning and Crew Pack included
- PADI Dive Rescue Diver: RSVP $175 add-on to package price. Contact Margo at 803.419.2556 for more information. PADI C Card, E: learning, and Crew Pack included.
See more about Kids Sea Camp dive training.
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Great food in a great location
The Bird of Paradise Dining: Staffed by an international team of trained Chefs, the Bird of Paradise appeals to the most discerning taste buds and serves a wide variety of gourmet international and Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Choose to dine in our air-conditioned dining room, screened lanai, or al fresco on the patio with our resident iguanas! The Chef will happily accommodate those with special dietary or vegetarian needs.
Beach Nuts Bar: Beach Nuts is centrally located at the resort, adjacent to the pool, and overlooking the Caribbean Sea beyond. This is the hub of island activity, and you will find something for everyone. The menu includes many local and imported beers, fine wine, tropical cocktails, premium spirits, and Cuban cigars.
The week at Kids Sea Camp can include events such as a Manager’s Rum Punch reception, karaoke, trivia, and other theme nights. Beach Nuts Bar also features a pub-inspired menu of lighter fare.
For the artistically inclined, collect a piece of driftwood from the beach and use the selection of paints to add to Little Cayman Beach Resort’s ever-growing collection of Bar Art.
Dining hours are tailored to dive schedules, including extended hours to accommodate night dives.
Activities
There’s more than diving at Little Cayman
Little Cayman is not all about diving Bloody Bay Wall, it is but it isn’t. On the island, you can fish, get a massage, hiking in a national park, kayak, paddleboard, spend an afternoon in a unique island Museum, or get a wonderful massage.
Fishing: Little Cayman Beach Resort offers different fishing experiences for anglers of all levels and is a great way for people to experience the entire island. Little Cayman is an angler’s dream with Bonefish, Tarpon, and great Tuna fishing. Call Tom about booking an afternoon or a full-day charter at 803.419.2556.
Please note: Little Cayman Sport Fishing is closed seasonally between August 15th – October 31st.
Other water sports: The South Sound offers protected shallow waters for enjoying kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Single Kayak
- Double Kayak
- Paddleboard
All watersports are available during the dive shop opening hours, 7 am-5 pm.
Biking: Beach cruiser bicycles are available for guests during the day and with an elevation of only 40ft (12M), there are not too many hills to worry about on Little Cayman!
Hiking: The Salt Rocks Nature Trail is located on the Western end of Little Cayman. It is a historic site with abandoned phosphate mines and a railway track and is home to migratory birds, rock iguanas, butterflies, orchids, and tropical plants.
Tennis & Basketball: Feel free to exercise and have fun on the floodlit tennis and basketball court! Due to the heat, playing hoop and tennis at night is recommended.
Hammocks: Relax and unwind in the hammocks along the beach. This is the perfect spot to read or catch an afternoon nap.
Little Cayman Museum: Founded by Linton Tibbetts, this quaint museum displays over 150 years of historical information, artifacts, and an inside look at Island life. Mr. “T” was born on Cayman Brac in 1923 and has been a major contributor to preserving the island’s history. He has a great passion for the rich culture and heritage of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac and has established these museums to share with island visitors.
Little Cayman Marine Museum: Also founded by Linton Tibbetts, the museum pays tribute to the many sea captains who called the Cayman Islands their home and offers a glimpse of their colorful past.
National Trust House: The National Trust is dedicated to preserving and educating the public about the island’s natural environment. The National Trust Visitor’s Centre offers library services, local crafts, homemade ice cream, and viewing platforms for bird-watching.
The Nature Spa: Nature Spa offers a unique spa experience for both men and women. Carefully selected products ensure you are at one with nature. Each visit is a combined endeavor for you and your spa therapist. Whether your goal is to relax, rejuvenate, or renew, our experienced and licensed professional will help to take you on a journey that promotes a healthy mind, body, and skin.
Massages offered at the Nature Spa
- Swedish
- Deep Tissue
- Pregnancy massage
- Acupressure
- Reflexology
Know Before You Go
Grand Cayman then to Little Cayman
Getting to Grand Cayman is as easy as flying to any major city in the US. Almost every major US airport has a direct flight to Grand Cayman. Once you get to Grand Cayman, you must take a flight on Cayman Airways to get to Little Cayman.
The main airport in the Cayman Islands, Owen Roberts International Airport, is located on the largest Island, Grand Cayman. The sister island of Cayman Brac also has its airport, Charles Kirkconnell Airport. These two airports serve as the Cayman Islands’ main ports of entry for visitors. Daily inter-island flights serve Little Cayman.
There are approximately 116 weekly flights into the Cayman Islands, including 42 flights each week between Miami and Grand Cayman, with connections to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Cayman Airways and American Airlines provide non-stop service from Miami.
With eight airlines flying into Grand Cayman from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, booking your Cayman Islands experience is easier than ever!
Cayman Airways and Cayman Express provide inter-island service between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, making travel to the Cayman Islands quick and easy.
Once your family is on the island
Kids Sea Camp will arrange all transfers to the Little Cayman Beach Resort upon arrival. After arriving on the island, the best way to get around is by foot or bike.
Margo’s favorite places to dive with kids
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Finding My Favorite Dive Destination? It’s Impossible!
For 26 years, clients have asked me, “Margo, what is your favorite dive destination?” As a mother, and now a grandmother, a PADI scuba instructor, and a lifelong ocean lover (I was born in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod!), my response has always been, “All of them!” Each destination I’ve personally chosen for Kids Sea Camp holds a special place in my heart.
Cayman Islands: Perfect for First-Time Family Dive Trips
As a young mother, I fell in love with the Cayman Islands as my son, Robbie, was born in Grand Cayman! I know the islands well, having worked both as a divemaster and a travel agent for many years while living there. With its easy access from the US (multiple daily, direct, nonstop flights!), strong safety record, and family-friendly resorts like Little Cayman Beach Resort and Cayman Brac Beach Resort, it had to be at the top of my list for young divers.
The diving is easy for all levels, with picture-perfect turquoise waters and sugar-white sand beaches you dream about on a cold winter’s day. The picturesque beaches are perfect for building sandcastles, playing volleyball, and relaxing!
Underwater, you’ll find turtles, tarpon, dolphins, and sharks, along with dramatic walls, fascinating wrecks like Captain Keith Tibbetts, and shallow reefs perfect for new divers. The resorts offer spacious guest rooms that give parents privacy while keeping kids close. And don’t forget the exciting land adventures like exploring pirate caves or hiking the bluffs!
The best Caribbean bar food
The food and service at both resorts are excellent, with plenty of family-friendly choices. The chefs create amazing made-from-scratch cakes, pies, and cookies, and there’s even a make-your-own sundae bar! The restaurants serve everything from steaks and lobster to fresh fish and vegetarian delights.
Getting around is easy, whether you rent a car or explore by bike. There’s a spa on each property, and believe it or not, tennis and basketball courts! Relax by the large oceanfront pools, swing in a hammock on the beach, or join in the fun with treasure hunts, pizza and movie nights, and pool games. I enjoy photographing and feeding the giant iguanas, collecting coconuts, and enjoying those lazy afternoons on the beach. There are quaint shops and other restaurants to explore, as well as exceptional flora and birdlife to learn about. The Cayman Islands are known for their history and culture as well as their diving.
Bonaire: Buddy Dive Resort Kids Sea Camp
Bonaire stole my heart with its laid-back charm, friendly donkeys roaming freely, flocks of pink flamingos, and incredible marine life – from wild dolphins and manta rays (yes, manta rays in Bonaire!) to massive tarpon and countless octopus.
My favorite part of the day? Jumping off the dock with my kids when they were young divers to explore the calm, shallow reefs. The white sandy bottom, just 15-20 feet below, felt like a natural guardrail, allowing kids to gain confidence and independence in a safe environment. Bonaire is one of my top picks for large families, with 1, 2, and 3-bedroom villas at reasonable prices and easy access from the States.
Buddy Dive Resort is family-owned and extremely kid-friendly, with an in-ocean training area that minimizes pool time. Besides diving, my favorite activity is Blow Karting (land sailing) – a total blast for adults and kids! There’s also a sunset cruise, walking the plank, karaoke, and live music. Buddy Dive sits right on the oceanfront, offering some of the most effortless diving for families. There are guided shore dives and boat dives just minutes away. And that jump-off-the-dock diving is the best!
When my kids were older, they both had instructor training with Buddy Dive. That was an amazing gift for me to witness and be a part of. Buddy Dive offers internship programs, Reef Renewal, and tech diver training for older kids and divers who want to further their dive training for future careers or fun. Our Buddy Dive Kids Sea Camp offers a variety of training courses during the week for adults and kids. SASY, Seal Team, JOW, AOW, Rescue, Jr. Divemaster, Divemaster, and Instructor courses have all been incorporated into our program.
St. Lucia: Kids Sea Camp Luxury and Adventure
St. Lucia is pure magic! It is one of the most romantic places in the Caribbean. Tom and I love to return to St. Lucia every year. We look forward to being pampered, enjoying some couples’ time, and bringing Kids Sea Camp to a luxurious, romantic place like Anse Chastanet. It’s a dream come true!
When Mrs. Karolin and Nick Troubetzkoy invited me to bring Kids Sea Camp to their world-famous resort, I felt like Dorothy clicking her ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz! We have the entire resort to ourselves! Some families with older kids ages 15+ also stay at Jade Mountain, Anse Chastanet. That is just another level of romance and one of my favorite places on Earth to stay with Tom.
Imagine exploring vibrant reefs, encountering seahorses, and baby turtles hatching right on the beach. The dinner options let you indulge in world-class cuisine at four incredible restaurants. There’s Emeralds (a vegan restaurant), Balawoo (a treehouse restaurant with breathtaking views), the Jungle Grill, and Apsara Indian restaurant, all featuring Creole and Caribbean flavors.
The accommodations are breathtaking
This resort wowed me from the moment I stepped into my room. The accommodations are breathtaking, with options of one- or two-bedroom units overlooking the magical Pitons and the spectacular ocean, or beachfront bungalows surrounded by lush gardens. Each room is exquisitely decorated at this 4 Diamond resort. The service is out-of-this-world, exceeding expectations at every turn. It’s a constant stream of happy moments in St. Lucia because you are served beyond your expectations at every turn.
Being able to have the kids make and decorate cupcakes with the head pastry chef, as well as the chocolate tasting with the chocolatier! OMG, if you love chocolate, you have arrived in heaven. The chocolate lab, chocolate hands, and foot massage, etc, are beyond enjoyable.
The diving is simply spectacular. From awesome wrecks, local house reef or night dives exploring beautiful walls to the vibrant soft coral gardens, Scuba St. Lucia offers something for everyone. Oh, and you do not need to touch your gear because this is 4-diamond diving, and everything is done for you. It’s called Valet Diving. Then there is the jazzy sunset cruise and live steel drum band, the karaoke and beach BBQ, and I can go on and on and on. This family week in St. Lucia is truly decadent. Every member of the family is pampered and spoiled, and the kids never want to leave!
Belize: Island Paradise and Marine Conservation
Blackbird Caye Resort in Belize, our newest gem (added in 2023), is a private island paradise. We’ve been taking families to Belize since 2011. This perfect location, with its proximity to incredible dive sites, was a game-changer. Imagine being just a 3-minute boat ride from the Wit Concrete Wreck (which can even be done as a shore dive!). The resort is only 6 minutes from the famous Elbow dive site! The Blue Hole, a must-do for any diver, is just an hour away.
My favorite here is the incredible number of eagle ray encounters, along with a big favorite of mine: the loggerhead turtles, which are not shy! Others like to hunt lionfish or go topside; my husband loves to go fly-fishing while I’m off enjoying dives with the kids. The boats are big, spacious, and comfy.
With its pristine white-sand beaches dotted with charming seaside bungalows, its incredible diving, and a focus on marine conservation, Blackbird Caye has become a favorite! Thanks to the owners Garen and Simonyan’s passion for kids and the ocean, it’s a dream come true for eco-conscious families. Garen, a newer dad himself, has integrated educational experiences from the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association into the kids’ activities. There is marine life learning and excursions as well as presentations throughout the week. The food is delicious, and all meals are made from scratch. Family-style meals are served in the beach restaurant. The sunsets are well spent at the beach bar and pool, reminiscing about the day and resting up for the next day’s adventures.
Belize has so much to offer both non-divers and divers. We can book both pre- and post-trips to the jungle or ruins.
The Philippines diving with whale sharks
The Philippines holds a special place in my heart. I was greeted with a hug and a flower necklace at the airport in Manila. I knew I was in for something special. A quick hop flight over to Dumaguete, and we are in Dauin. This resort has 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, black-sand beaches, multiple pools, and the most fantastic dive boats I have ever seen. They look like giant water spiders! These boats are made of bamboo, spacious, and offer valet diving, which basically means you do nothing. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, biscuits, and cookies are served after every dive. Each dive group of 4 people has its own dive guide. The Filipinos are so much fun and love kids.
We get a very special dive that not many in the world get to do: the Whale Sharks of Oslob, which we do on our own private boat and with our own staff. We have a very special Kids Sea Camp Whale Shark Day. It’s one of the few times I can say that we guarantee you will dive or snorkel with a whale shark in Oslob. It’s just a huge wow. I’ve experienced 5 at a time.
Welcome to Apo Island
At Apo Island, the reefs are so beautiful that I actually cried underwater. At 18, the first time I saw reefs this healthy, it was overwhelming. There is a mountain school, a village tour, the Chocolate Hills, zip lining, and many top-side cultural activities planned for the Kids Sea Camp trip. I have packed it with local culinary delights, music, and fun for the entire family.
Planning ahead for the Philippines
We’re planning our Philippines vacation further in advance. The trip has multiple locations, since families travel so far; we maximize their stay with a few trip options. This year, I’ve arranged 6 nights at Pura Vida Homes with Sea Explorers, and 6 nights on Bohol Island at Amun Ini. Both offer opportunities to see whalesharks, macro, and topside fun. From Amun Ini, families can see the world’s smallest monkey, the Tarsier. A cute little furry critter with eyes that look like large AI-generated orbs. For 2026, we are off to Dauin and Cabilao. You can give me a call. I will happily spend as much time as you want telling you about the Philippines. The rooms are beautiful and spacious, and each resort offers incredible cuisine. (See our calendar events)
Indonesia: Luxury Liveaboards and Unforgettable Experiences
For the ultimate dive adventure, Indonesia is a must. Our luxurious liveaboard trips aboard the Arenui offer unparalleled service and exquisite cuisine, all while having access to some of the world’s most pristine dive sites, including Komodo, Raja Ampat, and the Forgotten Islands. The Arenui is truly “perfection,” as described by one of our long-time clients, Marcio Curvelo. With its stunning hand-carved interiors, fine linens, and state-of-the-art dive equipment, the ship redefines luxury dive travel. We offer land excursions, diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, and pre- and post-Bali add-ons to create a truly unforgettable experience.
Why I Choose Each Destination
I hand-pick each Kids Sea Camp location with families in mind. We work closely with each resort and dive operator to create unique experiences. The destinations have their own appeal and unique experiences. All the KSC weeks create a magical family diving experience that gives the kids memories to last a lifetime.
Ready to plan your family dive adventure?
Check out KSC weeks (see link) or read heartwarming stories from our families. (see link)
Kids Scuba Programs for all ages
Kids’ scuba programs at every destination
PADI Seal Team is an excellent program for kids aged 8-10. Kids Sea Camp Inc. offers one of the few 6-day scuba programs in the world that is conducted in the ocean. Our ratio of instructors to kids is one instructor for every two kids. The PADI Seal Team is an enjoyable program PADI created in 2001, based on fun, educational Aqua Missions in the pool. At Kids Sea Camp, we provide SeaLife Cameras for Photo Missions, fun ocean dives for Fish ID Missions, and night pool missions.
We dive everywhere
There are select locations: St. Lucia Kids Sea Camp Inc. with Scuba St. Lucia and Anse Chastanet; Buddy Dive Bonaire; Sea Explorers in the Philippines; and Reef Divers in the Cayman Islands. We take Seal Team kids scuba diving in the ocean and experience the underwater world with mom and dad. Over the past 25 years, we have taught over 4,000 Seals.
As a mom, I wanted a safe and fun way to introduce my kids to a world I loved and wanted to share with them. Kids’ Sea Camp is a great way to teach your children about the underwater world. Many local dive shops offer PADI Seal Team dives and classes, so ask your local dive shop about getting your little ones in the water. Kids have to be 8 years of age to start the scuba programs.
Scuba Rangers
There is also SSI Scuba Rangers, which I know is another excellent kids’ scuba program, although I have not taught it. What’s important for parents to know: Ask good questions. In my opinion, the ratio of instructors to kids in the water should be 1 instructor to 2 kids. Each operator has mandates and guidelines to follow, but you can always ask for a private class if you like my more conservative ratios.
Demand assurance
Ensure your kids want to participate; they should be excited and eager to learn. Discuss clear diving activities with your child’s doctor and ensure they are both mentally and physically fit to participate. Ensure the instructor you pair with your child is kid-friendly. The instructor needs a comfortable level of kid-teaching experience. Ask them how much experience they have. If your child falls in love with the program, keep encouraging them and continue to the PADI Master Seal Program.
Our seals and sassy
PADI seals can dive a max depth of 12 ft with an instructor. Master Seals have a max depth of 12ft with an Instructor. Experienced instructors can acquire waivers to take kids into the ocean. There are a lot of hoops to jump through to make this happen.
Kids Sea Camp has created a bunny slope for the dive industry. It’s been incredible to see how many of them have grown up to love the ocean and further their careers in diving. We have certified over 50 divemasters and contributed to 36+ instructors who started as little SASY or Seals. Many get into environmental sciences, Marine biology, dive law, and other marine careers that make a difference.
By Margo Peyton
Mother leads her family to the sea
The treasure of Kids Sea Camp
I have always loved the sea, would read about it, dream about it, and aspire to live beside it one day.
“I can see the sea!!” shouts seven-year-old me from behind the car. It was the highlight of my year. Growing up in inner-city London, UK, our summer trip to Margate, on the coast, was a much-anticipated event. All three children in the back seat competed to be the first to see the sea! I always won!
Meeting Dave
When I met my unique, excellent, and fabulous husband, we didn’t share many common interests. We were far too competitive to take up each other’s hobbies. So we resolved to start something new together. Our honeymoon was in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and we decided to learn to scuba dive. Imagine our shock when we were presented with books and exams on our honeymoon! (Way before e-learning!). We learned together. And both of us became utterly mesmerized by the underwater world, the beauty, the color, the action of the reef, and the peace in our hearts. The strands of love woven together to create our family tapestry had begun to take shape. Scuba diving was one of those strands.
Dave and I traveled the world on every vacation to dive. We also took up diving in the cold and murky waters of the UK. Loving to be at one with the sea in all its forms: cold, warm, crystal clear, murky green. We loved the camaraderie of diving. The discussions about our underwater adventures. The concern from all of us is for protecting the environment. And the lack of concern for what we might look like as we came out of the ocean, with hair everywhere and snot pouring out of our noses! Diving is a great leveler!
Finding Kids Sea Camp
Fast forward a few years, and we live in Eswatini, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, with two small children. We continued diving. It became more complicated trying to find places where childcare was available to cover the diving parents . I was delighted when a friend from America visited and brought “Scuba Diving” magazine, which Dave and I devoured from front to back. I was drawn to an advert for “Kids Sea Camp,” which sounded like the perfect vacation for our little family! My children, Holly and Zebedee, were only 1 and 2 at the time, but I cut out the advert and saved it, and it came with us halfway across the world as we set up our new home in Bermuda. (See our event calendar)
When Holly turned four, I saw the advert and asked about Kids’ Sea Camp trips. So began our journey into diving as a family and in strengthening that strand of the rope of love that binds us together. I hoped my children would love the ocean as we did, and hopefully even scuba diving, but I had yet to learn how much they would love it!
Our first Kids Sea Camp
We went to Curacao on our first Kids Sea Camp family dive vacation, and after that, there was no question of seeking out other vacations since we had found the winning deal! Kids’ Sea Camp family vacations are amazing! It is an actual holiday for parents, who get to spend time with other like-minded parents who share similar values, a love for the ocean and the environment, and a desire to share this with their children.
The parent boats are a haven of hilarity and fun, which can be enjoyed knowing that your children are having their absolute blast doing PADI SASY, PADI SEAL, or diving on the kids’ boat with the incredibly highly experienced Kids Sea Camp dive team that not only supervised our kids but mentored them, taught them, and became like family to them. From Margo and Tom to Woody, Olivia, and many others, they have inspired, encouraged, and nurtured our kids to love diving and travel.
The kids loved KSC
Watching Holly and Zebedee, then 4 and 5, being taught all sorts of childhood fun by the older children brought me so much joy. They would be carefully watched as they jumped off the dock, ran around the beach, and did crazy stuff like learning new high-five maneuvers from teenagers! It was heartwarming to see “the village raising the child,” and the other children vacationing with us were so kind and loving. It just made for an amazing couple of weeks for all of us!
We were hooked!
Children see things differently from adults and learn alongside other children, furthering their dive education while having so much fun and framing diving with a new perspective. Diving becomes the child’s hobby and the parents’ since they control their decisions, diving, and responses. The children come off the boat full of excitement at what they have seen, what they have done, and what they have achieved. KSC kids share their experiences, forming friendships that can continue throughout the year. The children vacation together and have a great time. They switch the tables around in restaurants so they can eat together, and their world is shared through each other’s eyes, not just the parents’.
The kids connect
Meanwhile, the parents love watching their children connect, enjoying crab racing, shell collecting, sunsets, basketball, hammocks, and hilarity while they sit at the bar and chat through the day, laughing, joking, and sharing some of the challenges of parenthood. Some of my best friends, with whom I have shared the most from my heart, are friends from Kids Sea Camp. I have learned so much from such fascinating people and the challenges they have overcome. I would love to spend the whole year with them, but if it is just a couple of weeks, I will aim to repeat it every year!!
Kids Sea Camp has been much more than a dive vacation to our family. It’s been a place to meet interesting new people and a place to meet old friends with whom we had spent previous Kids Sea Camp weeks. It is a place for children to come together, be kids again, and learn valuable skills while enjoying the fun of new and old friendships. Kids Sea Camp is a space where you feel physically and emotionally safe. It’s great to see old faces you trust, who you know will look after your children, underwater and above the water. It’s a space where you can connect with friends and feel safe to share your anxieties or concerns, as well as your high points and celebrations. Kids Sea Camp is a place to learn from other parents and gain different perspectives on how to approach things.
Oodles of fun
These are the reasons we have gone back to Kids Sea Camp time and time again. The key to a vacation is fun, and Kids Sea Camp has oodles of it. The key to fun is building relationships, and there are plenty of opportunities at Kids Sea Camp.
The side benefits of traveling the world, experiencing other cultures, and occasionally being uncomfortable are, of course, all there as well. Still, they are not limited to Kids Sea Camp and are just a function of traveling with children. However, Kids Sea Camp can make it all stress-free, easy, and safer.
When we returned from Palau on Continental, most of our group was on this same flight. The children started playing together, playing cards, coloring, sharing stories from the week, and keeping one another entertained. We had so many comments from others on the flight about how much of a joy it was to watch them. And asked, “Are you all a big family?” The air stewardesses came and handed out ice cream from first class to everyone! These moments are unique, but at Kids Sea Camp, Tom and Margo Peyton create them in abundance.
Loving KSC is easy
There are not enough positive words to express my love for everything Kids Sea Camp has provided for our family. My children, Zebedee and Holly, both live by the ocean in Australia. Holly became a Divemaster and an instructor through Kids Sea Camp. She is now a PADI Course Director at 21, with over 2000 dives. Holly is working full-time as a dive instructor in Queensland, Australia, whilst also studying at university. She and her partner have set up their own dive company. Learning from and working with Margo and Tom Peyton at Kids Sea Camp was invaluable. They provided a wealth of experience and generously shared their home, hearts, and time. We are so very grateful for the direction provided. Zebedee also loves to dive, but you are more likely to find him out on a surf break in the early mornings than donning scuba gear. (See our Catalog)
Happy 26th Birthday, Kids Sea Camp! A quarter of a century well spent shaping a future generation of ocean enthusiasts and environmental protectors. Thank You!!
By Cathy Wakely
“A safe place to dive as a family”
Healing with Kids Sea Camp
My husband Doug and I have been scuba diving for the better part of 25 years. Before having kids, we enjoyed diving together around the world. Diving has always been a pleasant temporary escape from the everyday world for us. It provides a quiet peace we have not often found on the top side. Doug and I are retired US Marines. When we had our sons, we stopped diving like most families.
When our youngest turned 10, the age PADI allows kids to become Jr. Open Water Divers, we heavily fostered both boys’ interest in becoming certified divers. Doug and I were very excited to have our boys as dive buddies; it was a long-awaited dream come true. Josh and Sam started their course at home, at our local dive shop, and then we flew to Jamaica to complete their PADI courses. We quickly learned (before finding Kids Sea Camp)that most of the dive industry does not seem to cater to youth divers safely. Smaller gear and experience were hard to come by.
After the certification process we experienced in Jamaica, we felt it was rushed. Those dive instructors were not nurturing and clearly did not understand the difference between a child and an adult student. After waiting over 10 years to dive with our kids, we wanted them to have a safe, fun, positive experience. We did not want them to be scared; unfortunately, that was precisely what had happened in Jamaica. After returning from that trip, we began searching for what we, as parents, considered a safer option.
Finding Kids Sea Camp
That is when we found Kids Sea Camp, and what a fantastic find it was. A place where families from around the world could come together and meet other like-minded families and enjoy a safe, fun scuba diving family vacation. There was plenty of time together with our boys to enjoy, while there was also time apart. Our first Kids Sea Camp was in the Cayman Islands in 2019. Josh and Sam met other certified divers to have fun and make new friends. They dove with knowledgeable, kid-friendly instructors who improved their diving skills and kept them safe. Throughout the trip, we all had fun with karaoke, Pirates, treasure hunts, and many other family activities. Doug and I had a worry-free trip and enjoyed scuba diving with our boys on the family dives and with other parents on the adult dives. Doug and I could not have been happier watching the kids bond, sing, dive, laugh, and enjoy daily. (See our gallery)
Sudden devastation
Sadly, shortly after that wonderful week, tragedy struck our family, and our oldest son, Josh, passed away. This devastated our family, and it was next to impossible to navigate the best way to move forward and experience joy again, for Sam’s sake. If that wasn’t enough, COVID showed up. An understatement would be to say it was a challenging time for us. Grief is not a straight line, and we all have our way of dealing with pain. As a family of three now, we have come together and supported each other, understanding that we each have our own path. One by one, we decided that it was time to live our lives while remembering our beloved Josh.
Remembering Josh with diving
Doug was the first to take a step forward and asked us to attend another Kids Sea Camp. This resonated with us because it was when our family last had a joyful time with our son, Josh. It would feel good to get back in the water again and experience that quiet, healing peace of the sea we all longed for.
Doug and I wanted to continue diving and hoped Sam would enjoy being our buddy. We agreed on St. Lucia Kids Sea Camp, where we met Margo and Tom. I was still deep in grief while Sam was 12. And was hesitant to dive after everything that we had been through. Margo paired him up one-on-one with a very nurturing Kids Sea Camp instructor. We relaxed, watched, and let the Kids Sea Camp magic unfold. Before we knew it, Sam was in the water (with me tagging along) on fabulous dives where he seemed to enjoy every minute. Doug and I enjoyed diving with Sam and his instructor throughout the trip. We have continued to go on more family dive trips with Kids Sea Camp, and we always dive with Sam whenever we want.
Kids Sea Camp kindness
As you can imagine, we had some difficulties throughout this time in our lives. But the KSC staff was always ready and willing to allow us the private space we needed whenever we needed it. Sometimes that meant not diving and doing other things together as a family; sometimes it meant diving with Sam on the kids’ boat and taking additional courses to learn more about diving. Nothing was ever forced on us; we were encouraged to go at our own pace, march to our drum, and do what we wanted when we wanted. (See our new Catalog)
Over the next few years, we became ready to live and experience more, so we decided to try Fiji. Margo told us about the world heritage sites and the amazing diversity in diving there. They shared the spiritual beliefs, nurturing behavior, and personality traits of Fijian culture. The thought of the music, beauty, and peace that Fiji could bring to our family convinced us to go. I loved the vibrant reefs and fabulous topside views. I had also begun to work in a fulfilling job back home, assisting homeless veterans; that, along with the support of my family, allowed me to progress in my grief journey. Diving is my peace, and I could do it every day. I love to think and daydream while seeing the underwater world. I am grateful for KSC and the world of destinations they offer.
Sam took longer to process our tragedy.
Sam was very young when we lost Josh, and losing your brother is a difficult and unique journey to work through. There were many times that Sam chose not to dive and to be in his own space, and that was okay. As much as we wanted him to embrace diving as we did, he needed to make his own decisions. Diving was not to be forced; we gave him the space and time to focus on what was more important to him. Doug and I love diving; it brings us peace and joy. After a few years, we decided to go on a trip with Tom and Margo without our son. He was now old enough to stay home. Sam took a week to decompress from his demanding school schedule, while Mom and Dad had a fabulous week diving in Little Cayman. That was one of the hardest things to do, and we missed him every day; however, it was healing for all 3 of us.
This past year, Sam decided to join us in Belize and enjoyed diving with the other teens and us. It was fantastic to see him enjoying diving again. I hope he will develop a love of diving that rivals mine, and we will keep offering him the opportunity to dive and travel with us. He needs to find his passion. Doug and I love traveling and diving with Kids Sea Camp and the staff. What this company offers to families is personal, unparalleled, and priceless. Margo, Tom, and Olivia feel like family to us. We have made lifelong friends with too many other divers to mention.
Doug becomes an Instructor
Doug and Tom began the journey to become dive masters a year ago in the Philippines, and just recently, in 2024, Doug became a PADI instructor and will, hopefully, as we advance, be a special part of the caring dive team that helped our own family grow and heal. I will tag along for my peace of mind, and we will buddy up with Sam when his schedule allows.
We will be forever grateful for the last week we shared with our beloved son, Josh. We have so many memories and photos to look back on from that first week and the eight additional trips we’ve been on with Kids Sea Camp. I hope to have many more. We continue to travel this grief journey, but we have KSC for peace, fun, new friendships, and opportunities.
By Jessica Donnell
Worlds Best Family Dive Adventure Vacations
Kids Sea Camp an award-winning company
Margo Peyton created this multi-award-winning family adventure travel program, which has contributed to well over 8,100 kids’ and adults’ PADI scuba diving certifications. (see link)
Kids Sea Camp’s (KSC) motto is “Give them a week they will remember forever.” Based on the hundreds of testimonials from kids, teens, and parents who have participated in Kids Sea Camp trips. The company has created dive vacations that are memorable and magical: “Kids Sea Camp has changed my life, and I know it has done the same for others.”
“KSC holds a special place in my heart. It was my true catapult into the diving world.”
“The Kids Sea Camp team went out of their way to create memorable moments that will most certainly last a lifetime.”
Tom & Margo are great owners
Tom Peyton and Margo Peyton have hand-chosen PADI resorts and liveaboards in the Cayman Islands, Indonesia, Bonaire, Roatan, Galapagos, Red Sea, The Philippines, Fiji, Palau, Yap, St. Lucia, Dominica, Belize, Indonesia, Maldives, and more, to host their trips, while ensuring the highest level of standards and safety. Over the past 25 years, KSC has certified over 8,100 divers and has not had a single dive accident.
Staffed by highly qualified professionals. KSC is dedicated to introducing scuba diving, family vacations, and the ocean to kids, teenagers, and their parents. Depending on their age and experience, kids work on various certifications and skills, from snorkeling and SASY to Bubblemaker, SEAL Team, Junior Open Water, Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and PADI specialty and pro certifications.
KSC scuba-diving family vacations include unique activities at each destination. The program includes meals, diving, and other water and land activities such as blow-karting, jungle biking, paddle boarding, culinary classes, cultural presentations, marine presentations, and photography. Like-minded multigenerational families migrate every summer from around the globe to Kids Sea Camp Family dive vacations. These families enjoy making new friends, unplugging from everyday life, and reconnecting with each other.
A KSC dive vacation is the perfect adventure for families who love the ocean and enjoy meeting like-minded people worldwide.
Hassle-Free Trip Planning
Let Family Dive Adventures handle the logistics for your private group or family vacation. They will custom-design the vacation to meet your specific needs and trip type. The trips can include reunions, family holiday celebrations, and memorable romantic dive getaways. (See our KSC events)
The Kids Are Gone—Now What?
Have your kids flown the coop? Why not try an “Empty Nester Travel” vacation? In 2019, Margo and Tom Peyton started living their dreams out loud and put together these thrilling adult group trips. They offer high-end luxury at sumptuous resorts and luxurious liveaboards, like the Arenui. Margo and Tom take adult guests to Africa, Egypt, the Red Sea, Lembeh, Raja Ampat, the Forgotten Islands, Borneo, Komodo, Manado, Bangka, St. Eustatius, Belize, and many more advanced adult trips that tempt their travel palette.
Contact Info: (803) 419-2556, familydivers.com, dive@familydivers.com
2024 International Scuba Diving Hall Of Fame Award. Margo Peyton (See link) will be inducted into the ISDH this September. The award is for her contributions to the future of diving through the education and dive training of over 8,100 youth divers. And for Margo’s continued commitment to safety for kids and their families.
From SASY to Divemaster with Kids Sea Camp
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
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.
Kids Sea Camp is a healing family experience
“Diving healed my family, and it happened at Kids Sea Camp,” Lilly Blakey
Lilly Blakey was only 8 when she attended her first Kids Sea Camp in Roatan in 2006. Her parents, Rob and Susan Blakey, loved diving and wanted to share that joy and love of the ocean with their three kids. Since Lilly, age 8, and her younger brother Stuart, age 5, were too young to become certified divers, their mom found the perfect family scuba vacation for them. She read about Kids Sea Camp in a dive magazine and learned that kids aged 5 to 7 could enroll in the PADI SASY program, while kids aged 8 and 9 could participate in the PADI Seal Team program. Meanwhile, their older brother, Trey, was able to get certified in the Jr. Open Water program for kids aged 10-14, so there was something for every member of the family while their mom and dad enjoyed diving.
As a PADI Seal, Lilly remembers putting on her scuba gear for the first time with her Seal buddy. She recalls having so much fun performing buddy checks and experiencing the excitement of diving. She couldn’t wait to return to Kids Sea Camp to become a certified diver once she turned 10. Two years later, her family returned for another family dive trip with Kids Sea Camp, and Lilly became a PADI Jr. Open Water diver. They also promised Stuart the same opportunity when he turned 10. Lilly recalls, “It was so cool to swim with fish and experience zero gravity for the first time. I love diving and learning about the ocean.”
Over 20 KSC trips
Lilly has participated in over 20 Kids Sea Camp family dive vacations, making repeat visits to Utila, Roatan, St. Lucia, Bonaire, and the Cayman Islands. After several trips with her family, she attended without them at age 15. (See all the places you can go.)
“My mom had so much respect and trust in Margo Peyton and the program she created that she asked Margo if it would be okay to send me along as part of the Peyton family,” she explains. “Margo’s reassuring presence helps even the timidest diver feel calm and safe underwater.”
There was more to Lilly’s mom’s decision to send her alone than trust in Margo as an instructor. “My dad, Rob Blakey, who was the reason we all attended the first Kids Sea Camp, passed away a week after we returned home. Stuart was just 5, and I was only 10 years old, having just received my Jr. Open Water certification on that trip,” she said. “We didn’t go diving again for the next five years. My mom was devastated, but she eventually found the courage to start healing and reach out to Margo to tell her that she was ready to start diving again and promised to get Stuart certified when he turned 10.” Mrs. Blakey wanted him to have the same incredible experience as his older siblings.
The healing starts
“Margo made sure that my family went on a week that she would personally be there,” Lilly says. “While Trey and I enjoyed diving with the other certified kids, Stuart was working on his PADI Jr. Open Water certification, and Margo was helping my mom get back in the water again. My mom had only ever dove with my dad, so this was a difficult step for her. Margo held my mom’s hand and reassured her at every step. The healing had started. She dove with my mom daily until she could join us diving as a family. It meant the world to us to dive together again.” Lilly adds, “Having all of us diving together again, even without my dad, has been healing to our family.”
She earned her PADI Advanced Open Water certification during that trip, and Stuart did as well. Lilly told her mom she wanted to improve as a diver and keep diving. For the next few years, Lilly’s mom sent her on trips with Margo Peyton, along with Robbie and Jennifer Peyton, who would also attend. “I would stay for two or three weeks at a time, sharing a room with Jen,” Lilly shared. “I achieved something I wanted: to become a PADI Open Water Instructor with Jen and Zoe. We took our Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Buddy Dive Kids Sea Camp in 2017 and made it happen.”
Now, at age 27, Lilly has graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in management information systems. She has worked with Kids Sea Camp for many summers, teaching the next generation of divers.
A Safe Haven
“Margo created a safe haven for kids to learn how to dive while on a family vacation. Her dream and her company have literally changed my life, and I know it’s had the same impact on so many others, including Robbie, Jen, and Zoe.” Lilly said in 2023.
Lilly respects and admires Margo Peyton because she understands how challenging it is to be a single mom and run a woman-owned business. Lilly’s family continues to dive with Kids Sea Camp; her youngest brother, Stuart, also became a PADI instructor a few summers ago in Bonaire.
This year, Lilly is getting married and looks forward to starting her own family. She is excited to get her future husband certified to dive and continue the family tradition of bringing her future kids to Kids Sea Camp, where they will enjoy the magical summer vacations she once experienced.
“Kids Sea Camp is not just for kids; it offers so much to every family member, regardless of age.” Lilly Blakely