Finding My Favorite Dive Destination? It’s Impossible!
For 25 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.
Let me explain why:
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 travel agent for many years while living there. With its easy access from the US (mmultiple daily, direct, non-stop flights!), strong safety record, and family-friendly resorts like Little Cayman Beach Resort and Cayman Brac Beach Resort, it had to be on the top of my list for young divers.
Both of these resorts are family-owned and run, with a super kid-friendly setup. The diving is easy for all levels, with those picture-perfect turquoise waters and sugar-like 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 food and service at both resorts is 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 some exceptional flora and bird life to learn about. The Cayman Islands is known for its history and culture as well as its diving.
Bonaire: Buddy Dive Resort Kiss Sea Camp Easy Diving with Island Charm
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, with 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 hadinstructor 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 llove to return to St. Lucia every year. We look forward to being pampered, enjoying some couples’ time, and having the opportunity to bring Kids Sea Camp to a luxurious and 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, it was like Dorothy clicking her ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz! To ensure privacy for honeymooners, we have the entire resort to ourselves – a true Kids Sea Camp takeover! Some families with older kids ages 15+ do also stay at Jade Mountain sitting on the mountain just above. Anse Chastanet. That is just another level of romance and one of my most favorite place on Earth to stay with Tom.
Imagine exploring vibrant reefs, encountering seahorses and baby turtles hatching right on the beach. The dinner choices allow you to 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 the Apsara Indian restaurant, all featuring Creole flavors and Caribbean cuisine.
This resort wowed me from the moment I stepped into my room. The accommodations are breathtaking, with choices of one or two bedrooms overlooking the magical Pitons with spectacular ocean views 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 with everything they do.
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 corals 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 Vallet 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, but finding 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!) and only 6 minutes to 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 that are not shy! Others like to lionfish hunt or 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, incredible diving, and a focus on marine conservation Blackbird Cay has become a favorite! Thanks to owner Garen 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 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 non-divers as well as divers. We can book both pre- or post-trips to the jungle or ruins.
Philippines: Cultural Immersion and Underwater Wonders
The Philippines holds a special place in my heart. From the moment 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 bedrooms, 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 out of bamboo, and they are large and spacious and offer valet diving. Which basically means you do nothing. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, biscuits, and cookies are served after every dive, and every 4 people has their own dive guide. The Filipinos are so much fun and love kids, so you can be sure they are having more fun than you.
We get a very special dive that not many in the world get to do, and that is the Whale Sharks of Oslob, which we do via our own private boat and 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.
Then there is Apo Island, where the reefs are so beautiful I actually cried underwater. Being 18, the first time I saw reefs this healthy, it was overwhelming to sit and ogle over the beauty before me that had never been seen in real life prior. There is a mountain school, village tour, chocolate hills, zip lining, and many top-side cultural activities planned during the Kids Sea Camp trip. I have packed it with local culinary delights, music, and fun for the entire family.
I often create our Philippines vacation longer with multiple locations; since families travel so far, I want to maximize their stay with a few trip options. You can go to www.familydivers.com website and click on The Kids Sea Camp drop down and see which islands I have included for our Philippines trip. This year, I’ve arranged 6 nights at Pura Vida Homes with Sea Explorers and 6 nights on the island of Bohol at Amun Ini. Both offer Whale shark opportunities, 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, I will change it up to be Dauin and Cabilao, and 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.
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, exquisite cuisine, and 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, it 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 custom itineraries packed with unique activities, cultural experiences, and educational opportunities. There are more destinations and each has its own appeal and unique experiences included to create a magical family diving experience that gives kids memories to last a lifetime.
Ready to plan your family dive adventure?
Visit our website at www.familydivers.com or read heartwarming stories from our families on our blog: https://familydivers.com/family-blog/.
I’m always happy to chat about your dream dive vacation! Give me a call, and let’s start planning your next adventure.
