Family scuba vacations

Progressing with confidence and capability

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

Our experience with Kids Sea Camp has been nothing short of extraordinary.

By Quinn Ross

As a family that values travel and exploration, especially in connection with nature and the ocean, we sought something unique to foster a sense of adventure, learning, and togetherness. Kids Sea Camp not only met these expectations but has exceeded them in every imaginable way. Kids Sea Camp family diving vacations have given us something extraordinary—the gift of shared memories, deep friendships, and an appreciation for the marine world we carry wherever we go.

A profound connection

The Kids Sea Camp Staff is remarkable

The staff is another integral part of what makes Kids Sea Camp so exceptional. Every team member exudes passion, warmth, and professionalism, from the dive instructors to the activity coordinators. They go above and beyond to ensure that each child and family feels supported, safe, and encouraged to embrace new experiences. Watching Greyson interact with them has been a joy, as it’s clear they foster a learning environment that is both fun and educational. These are not just staff members— they are mentors, guides, and friends who make every moment memorable. Their genuine interest in each family’s journey enhances the camp’s sense of community.

Speaking of community, one of the greatest treasures we’ve gained from Kids Sea Camp is the friendships forged during these trips. It’s rare to find a space where families from all over the world come together with a shared sense of adventure, curiosity, and respect for the ocean. The camaraderie built during these trips is authentic and lasting. We’ve connected with people who share our values, and the bonds we’ve formed extend well beyond the camp. Greyson has made friends who inspire her, while my spouse and I have also found deep connections with fellow parents who understand and share our love for diving and travel. The magic of Kids Sea Camp lies in its ability to bring people together, creating relationships that transcend geography and time.

Margo and Tom have created a movement

At the heart of this incredible experience are Margo and Tom Peyton, the visionary owners of their work. They have built something far beyond a business or a camp; they’ve created a movement, a way for families to connect with each other and the natural world in a meaningful way. Margo and Tom’s passion for diving, conservation, and family is evident in every aspect of their work. They’ve poured their hearts into creating an environment that fosters learning, growth, and fun in a way that is both deeply personal and profoundly impactful. On a personal level, we’ve come to know them not just as the brilliant minds behind this campbut as individuals who genuinely care about the families they serve. They’ve become essential figures in our lives, and we cherish their friendship.

Kids Sea Camp is more than a vacation

Ultimately, Kids Sea Camp has provided us with far more than just a vacation. It has been a transformative experience for our family, shaping our view of the world and deepening our connection to each other. We are profoundly grateful for the adventures we’ve had and the memories we’ve made, and we look forward to continuing our journey with Kids Sea Camp for years to come. It truly is a one-of-a-kind gift that will stay with us for a lifetime.

Kid Sea Camp Trips: Mayan Princess Roatan, Seal Team for Greyson, age 8, 2022, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Little Cayman, Master Seal Team, age 9, 2023, Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia, PADI Jr. Open Water course, age 10- 2024, and on to St. Eustatius for 2025. (See calendar of events for KSC weeks)

Margo Peyton’s Journey to becoming a diving pioneer

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Kids Sea Camp, diving with Kids, diving with family, Margo Peyton

Her father started it all

Margo Peyton grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a coastal haven with one of the most diverse marine environments in the US. Her father, Eddie Salvador, was a diver from the 1950s who poured his own lead weights and used an old Deco regulator with a J-valve and a homemade horse-collar BCD—back when gauges weren’t commonplace. Margo recalls her dad telling her that when breathing became labored, it was time to pull the wire on the J-valve and ascend to the surface using the 300 psi reserve in his tank. “What about your safety stop, Dad?” she’d ask. “There was no knowledge of that sort of thing back then,” he’d reply.

Kids Sea Camp is celebrating its 25th anniversary of providing unique, off-the-beaten-path diving experiences for families worldwide. This year marks a truly unforgettable milestone: Margo Peyton, the heart and soul of Kids Sea Camp, was inducted into the International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame on September 28, 2024. This prestigious honor recognizes Margo’s 36 years of diving, traveling, and advocating for our underwater world.

He tried to deter her passion for diving, fearing the many things that could go wrong in the 1980s when she began. Nevertheless, he bought her a Deco regulator with a J-valve in 1988, along with an SPG and octopus, which were becoming popular at the time. Margo loved the ocean and learning about marine animals. She spent every summer as a child on the boat with her dad and brother, who hunted for giant bluefin tuna and fished for bluefish, bass, and cod. Encountering massive pods of bluefin tuna, dolphins, orcas, and humpback whales was the norm for Margo.

She learned to love and respect the sea, becoming familiar with basking sharks, great whites, mako sharks, and blue sharks, among others. Her dad instilled in her an adventurous spirit, while her mom nurtured her compassionate heart for saving and protecting animals. Margo worked at the Provincetown Sea Aquarium, where she cared for rescued sea lions, loggerhead turtles, and even a pair of orphaned coyote pups. The aquarium became a second home, and it was there that Margo’s passion for animal rescue blossomed. Over the years, this has included seagulls, kittens, puppies, snakes, pigeons, horses, whales, crabs, rays, octopuses, turtles, and countless others.

Sink or swim

When Margo was just a young child, her father threw her overboard into a school of wild dolphins to teach her how to swim. His philosophy was “sink or swim.” Margo has been a pioneer in the dive industry, encouraging everyone to embrace the family market. Her efforts have resulted in over 8,000 children becoming certified divers without a single diving accident. Her tenacity, courage, strength, and passion for her own kids and the ocean have always been her driving force.

Margo’s dedication to safety alone would merit her prestigious awards. However, her true impact lies in the countless individuals who started as junior divers and have become PADI professionals. Margo’s passion for the “living classroom” she created has resonated with like-minded families around the globe. Her love for diving has shown thousands of couples that having children doesn’t have to mean the end of their diving days. In fact, it’s just the beginning of creating amazing family memories.

Margo’s mission

The concept of bringing together like-minded families who love the ocean, adventure, and travel was unprecedented in the dive industry. Margo had to prove to dive operators in a male-dominated industry that kids had value and that educating and training them was essential. She had to convince major equipment manufacturers that making kids’ dive gear—tiny tanks and wetsuits—was not only financially beneficial but also crucial for the future of diving. She saw a need and was on a mission to fulfill it.

I have personally witnessed Margo’s hard work throughout her 35-year career, whether in the office, at a trade show, or on the island. Margo takes on multiple roles during a typical week at Kids Sea Camp: underwater photographer, artist, MC, mediator, mentor, activities director, hotel consultant, dive team organizer, advisor, events planner, celebration coordinator, presenter, and even shuttle bus driver. As a PADI professional, she often oversees kids and adults in the water.

Daily check-ins

During lunch, Margo takes the time to follow up on daily events, such as cupcake decorating, go-karting, Seal Team demonstration dives, graduation dives, birthday cakes, poetry contests, and treasure-hunt prizes. Her favorite time is spent with the kids, discussing their day, their dreams, and their diving adventures, making sure they are having fun. Margo Peyton spends most of her days in the ocean, photographing the Seal Team or SASY program. In the evenings, she ensures everyone is happy with their day in the ocean and at the beach. During dinner, she loves to walk around and listen to families sharing stories about their day.

For Margo, one indicator of a job well done is the absence of cell phones at the dinner table, with unplugged kids happily chatting and adults enjoying each other’s company. She ends each day dedicating herself to sorting through the day’s images until nearly midnight. The images ensure that all families have a visual record of the incredible day’s events. Treasure hunts, horseback riding, sunset sailing—it’s all captured for the end-of-week slideshow.

Margo’s passion

Margo’s passion, courage, and determination to establish a kid- and family-friendly dive company in a male-dominated industry are remarkable. She didn’t achieve this alone; numerous courageous and visionary women. As well as the wise men, who also played crucial roles in bringing the company to life 25 years ago. Their contributions are integral to Margo’s journey. The support has been instrumental in her success. This is a celebration of their collective efforts and the progress they have made in the industry.

Today, Kids Sea Camp is a beacon of excellence in dive safety, old-fashioned family fun, and personalized service. Margo’s moment is a tribute to all the vendors and families who believed in her vision. The beauty of her moment continues to be built upon all the moments that families have shared with Margo.

By Tom Peyton, husband and KSC Vice President

Her first Manta encounter

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Palau, sharks, scuba and kids, family dive vacations, kids sea camp

Finally, a Manta!

I smelled the salty air as I strapped on my scuba gear. I was anxious to get into the ocean. I hoped and hoped and hoped that I would see the one thing I’ve always wanted to see — a manta.
This summer, I was in Yap with Kids Sea Camp, an island in Micronesia, to scuba dive with my family. This morning, I was excited to go scuba diving with my friend, Sophie.  My other friends were scuba diving with their parents, so it was just Sophie, Bill Acker (our instructor), Patricia Mangthin (his wife), and me. Bill had decided that we would go to the manta cleaning station to try to see some manta rays. We had tried so many times that my hopes weren’t very high, but as we got closer and closer to the diving site, they inched higher.
Now, here I was, my hopes higher than the sky. I put on my mask and stuck my regulator into my mouth. As I tumbled into the water, I shivered. The water wasn’t cold, but I always feel chilly when I first jump in. When everyone was in the water, we descended into the ocean.

A manta!

Sophie and I swam through the cool, salty water. We spotted brightly colored fish and little hermit crabs, but no mantas. My heart sank. Just as I was about to give up, Sophie jabbed me in the shoulder. I was about to give her that “what did you do that for?” look when I realized she was pointing at something.  I looked.
“A manta! A manta!” I yelled. I had my regulator in my mouth, so it came out like, “Blubablurbla!”
Patricia waved us over to a better place to watch. The manta ray was so big and graceful as it swam through the blue sea. It had a white belly and a dark blue back. Soon, another one came and joined it.
As we swam back to our boat, I replayed what just happened in my head. My heart was pumping hard in my chest. I was so excited! Yap was the first time I had ever seen a manta ray, but not the last.
By Hannah McClure