Top Ten Family Friendly Dive Resorts

1. Soneva Fushi, Maldives

Have a budding Captain Jack Sparrow in your family? Perhaps a wannabe Willy Wonka? No matter the age or interest, Soneva Fushi in the Maldives covers all bases, be it the pirate ship in The Den (Soneva's sprawling children's club), the chocolate room and ice cream bar (there's one for the adults too, don't worry) or the outdoor cinema for evenings under the stars. Dreaded school exams on the horizon? Soneva even hosts private tutors for stressed-out teens.

2. The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt

Boasting one of the best house reefs we've come across (and we've tried our fair share), the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt is the perfect choice for families looking to introduce their children to the world of diving. Children and adults alike can dive straight from the jetty on the Oberoi's house reef, which boasts colourful corals alongside a plethora of tropical reef fish, turtles and rays. Aside from diving, the resort offers a wealth of activities to keep even the most restless youngsters entertained, be it cooking lessons or learning the secrets of hieroglyphics through cartouche writing.

3. Mount Cinnamon, Grenada, Caribbean

A quintessentially Caribbean bolthole, Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort in Grenada is the perfect choice for families, boasting spacious family-friendly villas, an action-packed Montessori Kids' Club and even its very own five-star PADI dive centre. There's also a croquet lawn, volleyball court, tennis court and yoga platform, as well as a whole heap of watersports guaranteed to tire out the most energetic family members. Family-friendly dive resorts don't get much better than this.

4. Azura Benguerra, Mozambique

For families looking to peel the children away from their devices, Azura Benguerra is just the ticket. Make memories on epic eco adventures, from swimming with dolphins to scaling sand dunes, as well as the incredible diving (and snorkelling) in the surrounding Benguerra National Marine Park. For the ultimate family getaway, decamp to the three-bedroom presidential villa, which enjoys its own secluded spot on the island replete with an infinity pool, lofty treehouse deck, private chef and butler. Where can we sign up?

5. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Oman

The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah has everything a child (and parents, for that matter) could ever want. Meander down the resort's own lazy river on a float, scale the climbing wall, get the whole family involved in a round of mini golf or leave the tots to it in the children's club. Spacious, interconnecting rooms are the perfect choice for families with little ones, while those learning to dive can do so straight from the beach. There's even a turtle sanctuary where families can get involved in the protection of green and hawksbill turtles.

6. Kempinski San Lawrenz, Gozo

If you're looking for a short-haul family holiday, Gozo is the perfect destination (for us Brits, anyway). And when it comes to family-friendly hotels, Kempinski San Lawrenz has by far the most facilities out of any hotel on the island, including a children's club, three outdoor pools, two floodlit tennis courts, squash courts and even babysitting (so that adults can enjoy a well-earned break). There are interconnecting family rooms available, and the hotel is near Ta' Dbeigi craft village, perfect for souvenirs, as well as Dwejra marine conservation area, so there's never a dull day.

7. Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji

While the long journey to Fiji might deter families with younger children, for families with teens, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is well worth the pilgrimage. The resort is surrounded by incredible adventures for the whole family to embark upon, from waterfall treks through the rainforest to snorkelling and diving trips led by a resident marine biologist and even the opportunity to connect with children from the local primary school. For those with a younger brood, the award-winning Bula Kids' Club offers a range of educational activities to immerse children in the local Fijian culture, as well as their own private nanny.

8. Hamanasi Dive and Adventure Resort, Belize

With a range of family-friendly rooms and a plethora of activities, Hamanasi is an award-winning eco-resort that ticks many boxes. Little ones can undertake a Bubblemaker program in the pool, while older children can take their first dive into the deep blue. Belize boasts the longest stretch of coral in the western hemisphere, so there's no better place to begin your dive education. There's plenty of fun to be had on land, too, from family bike rides, jungle ziplining and kayaking excursions to paddleboarding, cooking classes and chocolate tours; children (and grown-ups) will never be bored. Oh, and youngsters under 12 stay here for free (serious bonus points for that).

9. Atmosphere Resort, Philippines

Offering PADI programs for children aged eight and over, the dive instructors at Atmosphere Resort in Dauin, the Philippines, have a wealth of experience teaching and diving with tiny first-timers. There are plenty of dive sites here (25 to be exact), and many of them are family-friendly, including the spectacular house reef, where green turtles, clownfish and trevallies are the main characters. With spacious family suites, a child-friendly spa and yoga classes, three swimming pools and a children's area, Atmosphere caters for every family's needs. When it comes to food, you can expect more than the run-of-the-mill children's menu, and budding young chefs can even make their own meal at a pizza-making class.

10. Small Hope Bay, Bahamas

Staying at Small Hope Bay in the Bahamas is akin to staying at a friend's house. From hosting communal meals to regaling each day's diving over videos captured by the dive masters, the resort's ethos is all about family (it is run by a family, after all). For budding divers, the resort runs complimentary Discover Scuba lessons, while children over eight can take the plunge with a Bubblemaker course. For certified scuba divers, the diving here is some of the best in the Bahamas, with sites for every level along the Caribbean's third-largest barrier reef, as well as epic shark diving and blue holes to explore. Above water, families can go on nature walks and swim in secret blue holes dotted around the island.