Dive Deeper with Avios: Uncovering the Ultimate Scuba Destinations
If you’re an underwater enthusiast, it’s time to grab your fins and dive into some of the most spectacular scuba destinations on the planet. With 75% of the world covered in water, divers get the chance to truly explore and make a splash in some unforgettable spots.
And as a savvy Avios collector, you can save your hard-earned cash for those incredible experiences when you book flights with Avios. So let’s dive into our top picks for dream destinations where you can use your Avios points and immerse yourself in the world beneath the waves.
The Maldives
An enchanting tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a true haven for divers. Made up of 26 atolls and over 1,000 islands, this idyllic destination boasts crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. From manta rays and whale sharks to colourful reef fish and sea turtles, there’s no shortage of underwater wonders to explore.
Diving opportunities in the Maldives are vast, catering to both novice and experienced divers. The countless dive sites offer a variety of experiences, including drift dives, reef dives, and even wreck dives. The warm waters and excellent visibility make for ideal diving conditions all year round, though the best time to visit is typically between November and April.
Thanks to Avios, you can make your dream Maldives dive trip a reality. Book BA reward flights for as little as 60,000 Avios plus £150 for off-peak Economy return, 180,000 Avios plus £450 for off-peak Business Class return, or indulge in the luxury of peak First Class return seats for 200,000 Avios plus £800-£900 in cash.
As one of the most popular BA Avios destinations, reward seats are notoriously difficult to snap up, so we’d advise you to set RFF Alerts up to 355 days ahead of your preferred travel dates and book seats as soon as you’re notified that they’re available.
Tobago
Tobago, the smaller and more laid-back sibling of Trinidad, offers a delightful Caribbean escape for diving enthusiasts. Its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and sparkling waters provide a picture-perfect backdrop for memorable underwater adventures. With over 50 dive sites scattered around the island, Tobago caters to divers of all experience levels.
The marine life in Tobago is diverse and abundant, with thriving coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional reef shark. One of the island’s standout diving experiences is the world-famous Buccoo Reef, a protected marine park that boasts a vibrant coral garden and an array of fascinating underwater creatures.
For those seeking a unique dive, the M.V. Maverick wreck, a sunken former ferry, offers an exciting opportunity to explore the ship’s intricate structure and its new inhabitants.
Fly from London to Port of Spain or Scarborough airports using your Avios reward flights and dive into Tobago’s underwater world. Off-peak Economy return flights are available for 60,000 Avios plus £150, while off-peak Business Class return flights can be booked for 180,000 Avios plus £450.
The Bahamas
An idyllic archipelago of over 700 islands and cays, the Bahamas is a dream destination for divers seeking to explore the enchanting underwater world. With glittering turquoise waters, abundant marine life, and a vast array of dive sites, it’s truly a diver’s paradise.
From shallow coral reefs teeming with colourful fish to deep blue holes and mysterious shipwrecks, there’s something for every diver. One of the most famous dive sites is the Andros Barrier Reef, the world’s third-largest fringing barrier reef, stretching for over 140 miles. Divers can also plunge into the depths of Dean’s Blue Hole, the world’s second-deepest blue hole, and encounter fascinating marine life along the way.
For a unique and thrilling experience, the Bahamas is also known for its shark diving, with sites like Tiger Beach and Compass Cay offering close encounters with these magnificent creatures. The mesmerising underwater caves of the Lucayan National Park provide a unique experience for more advanced divers.
Make the most of your Avios points and book your BA reward flights from London to Nassau Airport on New Providence Island. Off-peak Economy return flights start at 60,000 Avios plus £150, while off-peak Business Class return flights are available for 180,000 Avios plus £450. Dive into the extraordinary underwater realm of The Bahamas and create memories that will last a lifetime.
The Florida Keys
A chain of tropical islands stretching over 120 miles off the southern tip of Florida, the Florida Keys is a haven for divers seeking an unforgettable underwater adventure. With its warm waters, vibrant coral reefs, and fascinating shipwrecks, it offers an unparalleled diving experience in the United States.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US, is home to the famous Christ of the Abyss statue and a variety of dive sites suitable for all skill levels. Divers can also explore the world’s second-largest artificial reef, the USS Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot-long former US Navy ship that was intentionally sunk to create a habitat for marine life.
For a more adrenaline-pumping experience, head to the iconic Alligator Reef, where you might encounter barracudas, nurse sharks, and stingrays among the beautiful coral formations. Advanced divers will enjoy the challenge of exploring the Vandenberg, a 523-foot-long former US Air Force missile tracking ship that was purposefully sunk to form an artificial reef.
Make your diving dreams a reality by booking Avois reward flights between London and Miami with your points. Off-peak Economy return flights start at 60,000 Avios plus £150, while off-peak Business Class return flights are available for 180,000 Avios plus £450. Peak First Class return seats can be booked for 200,000 Avios plus £800-£900.
Like the Maldives, Miami is an Avios hot spot, so we’d recommend you set up RFF Alerts ahead of your preferred travel dates and book seats as soon as you’re notified that they’re available.
Egypt
A land steeped in ancient history and stunning landscapes, Egypt also boasts some of the world’s most incredible diving opportunities. The Red Sea, with its glass-like waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life, is a diver’s paradise that attracts enthusiasts from all over the globe.
One of the most famous dive spots in Egypt is the Ras Mohammed National Park, located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Here, divers can explore the colourful reefs, steep drop-offs, and an array of marine life, including Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, and barracudas. The park is also home to the SS Thistlegorm, a British merchant ship that sank during World War II, now teeming with aquatic life and offers a unique dive experience.
For those interested in shore diving, the coastal town of Dahab is an excellent choice. The Blue Hole, a world-renowned dive site, is both awe-inspiring and challenging, with its beautiful coral formations and a mysterious underwater archway leading to the open sea.
Head further south to Marsa Alam, where you can dive with dolphins, dugongs, and even oceanic whitetip sharks. The Elphinstone Reef, with its dramatic walls and vibrant marine life, is a must-visit site for experienced divers.
To explore Egypt’s underwater wonders, book flights with Avios points between London and Cairo. Off-peak Economy return flights start at 45,000 Avios plus £80, while off-peak Business Class return flights are available for 140,000 Avios plus £180.
If you’re in the market to book an underwater adventure in 2023, you can find BA reward flights for the year ahead at rewardflightfinder.com, and our search calendar will even tell you how many seats are available. Our tools work like an Avios calculator, they’ll tell you the points you need to book reward seats for your journey. Better still, if you sign up for a Reward Flight Finder membership you can maximise your chances of getting your ideal British Airways Avios reward seats by setting travel Alerts, and we’ll notify you when your preferred seats are available to book.
