Reconnect with a family scuba vacation

As the saying goes, the family that plays together, stays together - so why not turn your next dive trip into a family scuba vacation? Combining adventurous underwater activities, relaxation, and plenty of care-free fun, family scuba diving holidays provide plenty of opportunities to reconnect and reaffirm relationships with your loved ones. 

But, we all know that kids can be a handful, and not all resorts are equipped to keep the youngest explorers in your group entertained. In fact, kids are often among the hardest holidaymakers to please - and nobody enjoys a vacation with cranky kiddos. Keep reading for ZuBlu’s favourite family scuba resorts, hand picked by our team of experts for their focus on relaxation, safety, and most of all, fun. 

This private island paradise caters perfectly to adventurous families with oversized villas, kid-friendly and adults-only zones, and all-day activities for all. Guests of all ages can get in touch with the underwater world here, through PADI courses on the house reef, and guided diving experiences throughout Lhaviyani and Noonu Atolls - famous for laid back reef diving, manta ray cleaning stations, and shipwrecks.

Back on land, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of dining options - with everything from casual cafes to chick cocktail lounges, and even neighbouring Hurawalhi Island's incredible underwater restaurant! Kuredu Island also boasts an award-winning spa, all-day kids club, and impressive amenities including outdoor sports grounds and golf. As you’d expect, an incredible variety of watersports is also available, from kayaking and paddleboarding to guided snorkelling and private sailing charters.

• Best for - activity-rich kids’ club

Luxurious, unpretentious, and above all else eco-conscious, this resort offers a back to nature getaway fit for the whole family. Dotted with treehouses, Tarzan-like rope swings, and natural rock slides, Nikoi will capture your children’s imagination from the moment you arrive. And, adults will find plenty of indulgences too, including two generous swimming pools, restaurants and a bar, and even a full service spa. Plus, optional extras including in-villa dining and private tours. 

This resort’s dive centre specialises in small-group experiences, with PADI courses and guided diving in the shallow waters of the Sunda Shelf. And, thanks to the remote location, the surrounding coral gardens are in pristine condition! Nikoi Private Island’s green initiatives include solar power and hot water, farm to table dining, sustainable building practices, and on-site recycling, as well as marine biologist led conservation programmes. 

• Best for - environmentally-conscious island adventures

If sparkling turquoise seas and white sand beaches top your family’s vacation bucket list, you’ll love One&Only Reethi Rah. This private island paradise has 12 stunning beaches to choose from, plus three generous pool complexes. Children can snorkel, take part in arts and crafts, play dress-up, and more, while teens are provided with a chill-out space and engaging adventures led by counsellors. The whole family will also have access to tennis courts, a fully-equipped gym, and a massive watersports complex.

The scuba diving in North Male Atoll is simply sublime, with manta rays, sea turtles, and coral gardens to explore. And, this resort’s marine-biologist led programmes and PADI courses are a great way to get up close and personal with the wildlife you love. Back on land, treat yourself to some rest and relaxation with lush services from an award-winning day spa, and global garden to table cuisine, picked fresh from the island’s organic garden.  

• Best for - age-specific activities and social areas

One of North Sulawesi’s original resorts, this collection of charming cottages is a top pick for family scuba diving holidays in Indonesia. Take the plunge up to three times a day in legendary Bunaken National Park, or keep the adventure close to home, exploring coastal sites known for their outstanding muck and macro diving. Other diver-friendly details include PADI courses, eagle-eyed local spotters who are happy to help with camera equipment, nitrox, and on-demand night diving.

Busy parents can score some extra peace and quiet, with this resort’s easy to arrange childcare. Kids activities include snorkelling and paddleboarding, and supervised playtime in the outdoor recreation area, with a pool, beach, and rope swing. Other on-site extras include a full-service day spa and delicious chef-prepared meals. Add to your adventure with day trips to the Minahasan Highlands, Lake Tondano, and Tangkoko Nature Reserve. The Murex ‘Passport to Paradise’ also allows guests to combine multiple resort stays in one trip. 

• Best for - quiet and peaceful setting to reconnect

Warm Filipino hospitality meets first-class amenities and service at this spectacular beachfront resort, backed by acres of coconut palms. The youngest adventurers in your group are guaranteed to have the time of their lives, with kids clubs, playgrounds and babysitting services, as well as age-appropriate spa treatments and yoga-classes. Plus, dive courses and marine-biologist leg programmes just for children.

Guests of all ages will love Atmosphere’s spacious and modern suites - with plenty of room for the whole family to stretch out. Each room is tucked away in lush gardens, surrounding a generous infinity pool complex, perfect for tanning and quiet relaxation. Pampering spa services, fine dining, yoga and meditation, and a wide variety of watersports are available, as is legendary scuba diving on the famous black sand slopes of Dauin and Dumaguete - home to some of the regions coolest macro critters. 

• Best for - child and adolescent-friendly diving and spa treatments

We guarantee you’ve never seen anything like this before - Vomo island boasts its own mountain summit, multiple secret beaches, and kilometres of jungle to explore. Plus, separate resort areas and activities for kids, adolescents, and adults, as well as all-day childcare and complimentary watersports. Multiple pools and secluded chill zones scattered around the resort also make it easy to find your very own patch of peace and quiet.

Vomo Island’s lush creature comforts don’t stop there - you’ll also have access to multiple fine-dining establishments, nightly entertainment, and a full-service day spa. But, the best part of staying here is definitely the diving. Epic sites for shark encounters like The Supermarket are right at your doorstep, as are local dive sites known for their incredible coral cover. Underwater experiences here include concierge service, and small groups split by skill and comfort level, for day after day of seamlessly organised diving in some of the planet’s most pristine waters.

• Best for - five-star luxury for the whole family

Is your family fantasising about diving alongside marine megafauna like whale sharks and manta rays? This incredible family-friendly five-star resort offers unparalleled access to the very best diving in South Ari Atoll, and year-round encounters with the region’s famous supersized residents. Make the most of your time in the water with PADI courses, DPV scooter tours, unlimited house reef diving, and guided experiences at over 50 dynamic dive sites.

Back on land, Lily Beach offers plenty of other luxurious extras fit for the whole family. Seven bars and restaurants - including a ‘kids only’ option - make it easy to dink and dine, and each day starts and ends in a well-appointed villa or suite with plenty of room for the whole family. Exciting family activities include glass-bottomed boat rides and semi-submersible tours, as well as tennis and other sports.

• Best for - unique family-friendly excursions

This haven for families and watersports enthusiasts has a bit of something for everyone, with easy access to amazing dive sites, a beautiful beach and great surf breaks. Throw in the semi-submersible coral viewer, 35-metre water slide, and banana boat rides and you can be sure to keep the whole family thoroughly entertained. Plus, the newly-built dive centre offers modern equipment and top-notch service in Lembongan’s fast-moving waters - known for resident manta rays and seasonal encounters with mola mola. 

Hai Tide feels more like an eco-village than a resort, with perfectly appointed two-storey thatched huts, surrounded by tranquil gardens. These calming grounds are also home to a generous pool complex, soothing day spa, and Hai Tide bar and grill - boasting delicious global cuisine to suit every taste. All-day childcare, in-room babysitting, and special activities just for kids can all be arranged.

• Best for - family-orientated entertainment

Is your family up to an adventure on the high seas? Charter yachts and liveaboard safaris are a great way to maximise your time in the water, logging more dives and exploring farther-flung regions. And, with oceangoing options as diverse as their competitors on land, there’s a boat to suit every family’s budget and travel style. 

This stylish sailing phinisi offers intimate, adventurous, and family-friendly voyages throughout the Indonesian Archipelago. Seasonal itineraries visit Raja Ampat, Komodo, Bali, and Lombok - with dynamic wildlife themed trips lasting up to 12 stunning days at sea. Carpe Diem caters to a maximum of ten guests, leaving the crew plenty of time for personalised service and genuine guest connection - essential for family scuba diving expeditions. 

Looking for fun ways to spend your days at sea? This boat offers activities for the whole family, with kayaking, paddleboarding, yoga and meditation, guided scuba diving, and courses by PADI and SSI. You’ll also find plenty of quiet corners and cosy nooks for reading and relaxation and multiple sun and shade decks where you can tan or enjoy al fresco dining.

• Best for - highly-personalised service

With just two cosy cabins on board, Dhoni Stella 2 is the ideal choice for families of up to six after an intimate vacation. This vessel’s generous open-air dining space and sun decks encourage cherished interactions with loved ones while the rich teak furnishings and traditional aesthetic create a stylish atmosphere to complement your experience. Dhoni Stella 2 can be chartered for up to ten days, with itineraries exploring the Maldives’ best-loved central atolls.

Each of this vessel’s tailor-made charter safaris focuses on scuba diving and snorkelling, accommodating guests of all experience levels, from beginner to pros. A conveniently arranged aft platform and comfortable customised tender ensure easy and stress-free underwater excursions, while island-hopping activities and optional resort stays add an extra dimension to your adventure.

• Best for - intimate family charters 

If reading this article has you feeling ready to grab the kids and go, you’re probably well overdue for some family fun in the sun. Get in touch with ZuBlu’s team of travel experts to learn more about safe and comfortable family-friendly dive holidays, with all the most recent travel news and advice in mind. We’re happy to help you plan and prepare, and we’ll stick around throughout your adventure - to make sure it all goes off without a hitch!