A Guide to Accessible Holidays

Insider guide to accessible diving holidays

Travel Consultant Cath Bates has worked and dived with plenty of divers, some of whom require a little extra when planning their next trip …

As an instructor who worked abroad for 11 years, I would see many disabled divers playing it safe and going back to the same destination over and over again. Accessible holidays in general are not yet the norm as wheelchair-accessible facilities are not the law in many countries. Finding an accessible diving holiday can therefore be somewhat of a challenge, but one that we’re up for!

I have met some pretty inspirational people along the way. Below they share their stories and some top tips to make sure an accessible diving holiday is a success.

Laura Collinson (main picture) and I are old diving buddies. We used to work together before her accident and she began her dive adventures back in 1999 in Egypt with the Back Up Trust. She has since dived in more than 11 destinations including Coron and Moalboal in the Philippines, and Lembeh in Indonesia.

It’s not all been plain sailing and she quickly realised that questions need to be asked before just turning up. ‘Check door widths and bathroom dimensions. Look at pictures online and discuss with the dive centre the help you require and the type of boats used.’

Laura recommends joining a dive club as a great way of getting support and assistance as well as chatting to other disabled divers and support groups such as the Scuba Trust.

Alan Kenny is 78 years young. We’ve dived together in Egypt and Indonesia and he often goes on trips with The Scuba Trust. When planning a diving holiday, his priority is all about the marine life and then he looks at the logistics.

Whilst a wheelchair accessible room is essential, he can do without a roll-in shower if there’s a shower on the dive boat. For him what is really important is a dive team and boat crew who can ‘think outside the box’ and listen to his requirements.

‘I describe to them how I get into the water from the dive platform and on return to the boat after diving; also how I de-kit in the water and how I need to be lifted.’

One of Alan’s favourite places to visit is Tasik Ria Resort & Spa. He’s been back plenty of times and it’s mainly thanks to the staff, who have become like family and are always willing to help.

For Invictus Games athlete Luke Delahunty it’s all about access to the bed and bathroom facilities. Anything else is a bonus! During a liveaboard trip in the Maldives he was carried pretty much everywhere. ‘It’s a means to an end. If you want to dive at a manta cleaning station, expect to be manhandled!’

Luke and I completed our Instructor Development Course (IDC) together in 2004. He has also experienced the Sardine Run in South Africa, with all the added hassle of a drysuit. On the practical side, he looks for a dive centre with a ‘can-do’ attitude to enable him to enjoy diving, just like everyone else. He recommends travelling with a shower curtain and a disposable portable urinal, especially when travelling on a boat which may not be set up for wheelchair access. Diving with a group of friends is also important, alleviating worries about asking for help.

‘Beyond all the practical stuff, when I go on a dive trip I want great diving and to make amazing memories – just like everyone else.’

Diving is a hobby that already removes many barriers and challenges for all of us. Divers are a friendly and open bunch. When we go abroad we are all out of our comfort zone to some extent. Here at Dive Worldwide – although we like to think our holidays are exclusive, we also want to make them inclusive to many types of diver.

We’ve done our research so you don’t have to. Contact Cath about our range of resorts where there is plenty of access for wheelchair users. Our expertise is in creating tailor-made diving holidays for all.

Here at Dive Worldwide we believe that our clients should not have to make massive compromises in order to enjoy their holiday. We use a number of resorts and dive centres which are willing to adapt their own operations to meet the special needs of some divers.

Tasik Ria Resort & Spa Manado, Indonesia

5 wheelchair-friendly bedrooms available, all with roll-in shower

The bar, restaurant & dive centre are accessible, as are the pool & jetty via ramps

The dive team and boat crew are very experienced with disabled divers (some lifting is required to board boats)

True Blue Bay Boutique Resort & Aquanauts, Grenada

6 bedrooms with wheelchair access with wider doorways & roll-in showers

Aquanauts dive centre is happy to cater for divers with disabilities & has worked with disabled diver charities

Dock accessibility is easy & staff are available to help board the boats (private guides are available)

LionsDive Beach Resort & Ocean Encounters, Curaçao

2 wheelchair-accessible rooms with connecting rooms for travelling companion if needed

Both rooms have wheel-in shower, shower seat & grab rails

The dive team has had a lot of experience with disabled divers & groups. Dive shop is fully wheelchair accessible

Camel Dive Club & Hotel, Egypt

5 ground level rooms accommodating guests with restricted mobility. All have roll-in shower and grab handles

Easy access around resort and dive centre with ramps and lifts in place as well as wide corridors

All dive boats have spacious rear deck and low dive platform, some have wheelchair access to saloon area

Cath & Alan Main image: Laura in the Red Sea

Luke in the Red Sea