EXPERIENCE MATTERS
An interview with Margo Peyton; 37 years of her experience in family diving and travel.
International Scuba Diver Hall of Famer, Margo Peyton, has spent the last three decades of her life diving and traveling with families from around world. She created Kids Sea Camp to take families with kids ages 4-18 on scuba vaca- tions that provide them unique experiences and teach them more about the underwater world. A living classroom for the whole family to enjoy. What are your top destination choices for younger divers? I have a few destinations that come to the front of my mind for younger divers. The Cayman Islands: My son Robbie was born in Grand Cayman. It is known for having calm seas, clear water, and a climate that’s perfect for little ones. All 3 islands have stunning white sand beaches and offer biking, snorkel- ing, great food choices, and perfect dive conditions. These islands are easy to get to.. There are multiple flights daily from the US. I chose the Cayman Islands for ease of div- ing and abundance in diversity. SASY and Seal Team kids can play in the ocean and experi- ence turtles, rays and big schools of fish. Little Cayman Beach Resort would be my first choice. This boutique style resort offers oceanfront and pool view 1 bedrooms and has a perfect in-ocean training area. Cayman Brac Beach Resort has a
140,000 gallon pool sitting right on the ocean for the little ones to do their aqua missions and confined training. There is reef, wreck and drift diving perfect for kids. This resort also offers rooms that can connect for larger families. Bonaire is another great destination, Buddy Dive Resort is a the perfect place for SASY and Seal Team kids to enjoy the ocean every day of the year with the Buddy Academy. Families can “jump off-the-dock” with their kids and enjoy schools of fish, octopus and coral gardens Its shallow, easy, and very safe. What about a destination for larger families? Buddy Dive Bonaire . This resort offers one, two and three bedroom condos. Its the best value for large families. This PADI CDC offers the most affordable dive packages to choose from. Easy shore diving and truck rentals come with the 6 boat dive package. If families don’t mind the long trips, I love the Philippines: Vida Homes & Pura Vida Resort, located in Dauin. A PADI IDC, that provides spectacular valet diving with Sea Explorers: Pura Vida Homes offers
hotel rooms, one, two and three bedroom luxury villas. I describe this resort as afford- able family luxury. Very kid-friendly, easy diving and beautiful beaches to play on and dive from. Your choice for families with older kids? The Galapagos would be my first thought. I choose the M/V Tiburon Explorer and the M/V Humboldt Explorer for our trips. I’ve been taking kids to the Galapagos for 17 years. We dive from pangas, the kids and adults easily roll off the side. It’s big animal interaction: big sharks, wild dolphins, sharks, giant mantas, marine iguanas, and tons of sea lions. I book full charters for June & July which is peak whale shark season. It is one of the last diving frontiers. I feel like every time we go it’s the trip of a lifetime for each family. If you want to share a rare, majestic and edu- cational dive adventure with your children, then take them to the Galapagos. This trip is best for kids age 12+. Margo what is your top choice for families with non-divers? Number One is St. Lucia at Anse Chas-
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