One of the problems some scuba divers can have is managing their dive time with family life and finding vacations that suit the entire family. Thankfully there are a variety of great dive destinations that offer world-class diving for the entire family and non-diving options for those who prefer to soak up the sunshine, experience new cultures, and explore remote paradise islands.

Indonesia has some of the best scuba diving in the world and there is a wealth of diving opportunities to explore. Whilst it may not be the first destination that springs to mind for a family liveaboard, it is actually a great choice for those looking to combing diving with sailing adventures, local cultures, and of course warm water diving.

Being part of the Coral Triangle, Indonesia has abundant and diverse marine life including over 3000 species of fish and 600 species of coral. There is more than enough marine life to keep younger family members enchanted, and it is possible to see 5 of the 7 species of sea turtle.

There are scuba diving and snorkelling options for all experience levels in Indonesia and a variety of liveaboards to choose from, including traditional Indonesian Phinisi sailing yachts. The Tanaka phinisi caters for family groups who want to experience Indonesian island hopping, snorkelling and diving. With itineraries ranging from 3 to 10-nights in length, it is an ideal vessel for families who want to try a liveaboard for the first time without committing to a long time at sea with children. Families can choose from a variety of room options.

Diving in Indonesia is possible all year and the dry, calm season is generally from June to October. The best time to dive varies by region but the dry season offers the best conditions. July and September can have rougher seas though due to strong trade winds and may be less suitable for younger family members or those prone to motion sickness.

The Galapagos Islands are on many divers wish lists and rightly so given the diversity of live there, both above and below water. Divers can expect to see marine iguanas, sea lions, a variety of shark and ray species, sea turtles, mobula rays, penguins, and plentiful reef and pelagic fish.

There are some dive sites suitable for beginners, though this is really a destination for a family comfortable with more advanced diving or looking to combine diving with world-class wildlife spotting. There are a number of Galapagos diving liveaboards for adventurous diving families to choose from. The Galapagos Legend offers wildlife watching cruises of the Galapagos Islands and includes some diving excursions. These cruises are a good option for families who want to be mostly above water but have the option of doing some diving. The Galapagos Legend has a children’s play area and leisure facilities on board.

This is a remote destination to reach but it is well worth the effort. Diving is possible all year and the warmest water temperatures are during the wet season of January to June. The dry season is the busiest time of year and has a high chance of whale shark sightings, whilst manta ray and hammerhead encounters are more common during January to May.

Fiji is home to some of the friendliest people on earth. There is nothing quite like a Fijian welcome to make families feel at home whilst exploring Fiji’s numerous islands and dive sites.

The majority of Fiji’s islands are uninhabited and offer warm-water reef diving that is suitable for all experience levels. Fans of sharks can enjoy reef sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks. Manta rays are often seen in Fiji and there are plenty of snorkelling options available for non-diving family members.

Families should consider trying a cruise that combines both diving and non-diving activities around Fiji. There are cruise operators that offer diving from vessels that also have swimming pools, spas, gyms, lounges, and plenty of room for younger family members to run around. Shore excursions can include trips to local markets, pearl farms, waterfalls and volcanic craters.

With around 700 islands and 2,500 cays to explore, it’s no wonder the Bahamas is a popular scuba diving destination. The water is warm and there is something for every diver to experience; from blue holes to wall diving, wreck dives, underwater caves, and coral reefs with diverse marine life.

Divers can enjoy tiger shark diving at Tiger Beach, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, ray species, reef sharks, dolphins and even goliath groupers. Coral reef dive sites have plentiful fish and invertebrate life to experience.

Scuba diving in the Bahamas is suitable for all experience levels and there are no minimum dive requirements at many dive sites. This alone makes it a great destination for families wanting to try scuba diving whilst exploring pristine beaches and islands together. The Bahamas is also suitable for non-diving family members and has plenty of snorkelling sites. It is ideal for those who want to dip their toes in the water without committing to the skills and equipment needed for scuba diving.

The best way to experience Bahamas diving is by liveaboard safari as some of the dive sites are inaccessible from day boats. The Aqua Cat Bahamas is great for families, having cabins with fold-down bunks for family groups and multiple shore excursions daily for non-divers.

Bahamas diving is possible all year and the dry season of November to May is considered the best dive season. Family groups who want to prioritise calmer seas and warmer waters, may wish to visit during June to August - though they should bear in mind that is the hurricane season.

This article was written by divers and writers at liveaboard.com.