Nextgen Diving Travel S.l.

NEXTGEN DIVING TRAVEL S.L. operates as a specialised travel agency focused on the liveaboard experience, rather than a traditional shore-based dive centre. They organise and manage cruises to some of the world's most iconic diving regions, specifically the Red Sea and the Maldives.

Since 2005, the team has built a reputation for deep local knowledge, particularly within Egyptian waters where they have been active for over two decades. Their expertise allows them to curate expeditions that range from standard reef cruises to specialised trips to remote locations like Fuvahmulah and Bimini.

The team brings significant experience to the water, with a core group that has been immersed in Red Sea diving since 2005. This longevity ensures that the guides and crew possess an intimate understanding of the seasonal shifts and site-specific nuances of their destinations.

For those who prefer to communicate in Spanish, the team includes Spanish-speaking guides, such as Marc and Vito. The service is designed to be highly personalised, with a focus on maintaining close contact between the commercial team, the guides, and the divers throughout the duration of the cruise.

All training is conducted under the SSI framework, offering a clear progression from beginner to advanced levels. You can complete your Open Water Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver certifications while at sea.

For more specialised interests, the centre offers Nitrox courses, Wreck Diving, and Shark Ecology. These courses are designed to be integrated into the liveaboard schedule, allowing you to enhance your skills in the very environments you are exploring.

While the agency manages various fleets, the specific vessels used depend on the chosen route, such as the Bella fleet in the Red Sea or the Emperor fleet in the Maldives. These liveaboards are configured to provide a full service, including accommodation in shared double cabins and full board catering.

On board, you can expect amenities including refreshments, tea, and coffee. Depending on weather conditions, some itineraries include a barbecue on local islands. Nitrox is available on these vessels to support extended bottom times during multi-day expeditions.

The agency provides full equipment hire for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. This includes essential items such as wetsuits, regulators, and fins.

For those looking to advance their skills, SSI training is available on board, utilizing digital learning kits to complement the practical certification process.

The pelagic life at these destinations is exceptional. Depending on the season, you can encounter whale sharks and manta rays from May to November. In the Maldives, the Atoll de Fuvahmulah is a reliable location for tiger sharks and oceanic manta rays, while the Atoll de Huvadhoo offers night dives with whale sharks.

Shark encounters are a primary draw, with hammerhead sharks, grey sharks, reef whitetip sharks, silvertip sharks, and oceanic whitetip sharks frequently sighted. In the Maldives, thresher sharks are a regular highlight at Monad Shoal.

For macro enthusiasts, the Deep Slope provides excellent opportunities to find nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. You may also encounter blue-ringed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, and various species of coral across the reef systems.

The reefs are vibrant with hard and soft corals, supporting a vast array of fish including mandarinfish, eagle rays, and various reef fish.

Conditions vary significantly between the two main regions. In the Maldives, the best time for seeing manta rays and whale sharks is during the southwest monsoon from May to November, while the channels are best explored from December to March.

In the Red Sea, diving is possible year-round. However, currents can range from very gentle to extremely strong. The most significant action often occurs when currents move against a thila (pinnacle) or toward the mouth of a channel, influenced by lunar phases and seasonal changes.