INDONESIA, The Most Popular Dive Destination 2017 : Dive Magazine
Stretching from the Indian Ocean in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, the Indonesian Archipelago is blessed with some of the world’s most spectacular underwater splendor. Filled with an abundance of fascinating sea creatures, colorful coral reefs, thousands of tropical islands fringed with sparkling white beaches scattered among crystal clear blue waters, there is no doubt that Indonesia must be the world’s ultimate dive destination.
Confirming the title, Dive Magazine, world’s most prominent Scuba digital magazine, recently voted INDONESIA as The Most Popular Dive Destination 2017
Following the poll that used the 1 IP address 1 vote system and conducted since October 2016, Indonesia gained an astonishing 22,552 votes from netizens across the world, surging far ahead of the other competing countries. The neighboring country of Papua New Guinea took second place with 6,089 votes, followed by the Philippines in third place counting 3,313 votes. Indonesia ran way ahead ever since 3 months ago, so much so that the e-vote system actually needed to be stopped for a while.
At the polls, Indonesia overwhelmingly outranked others among world’s favorite dive destinations that included the Maldives, the Bahamas, Palau, Thailand, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and more. Also renowned for its diving attractions, the Maldives was placed 5th in the list with 2,024 votes, while the Bahamas took 9th place with 995 votes followed closely by Palau in 10th place with 983 votes.
The fabulous underwater beauty of Indonesia has always attracted divers and snorkeling enthusiasts from around the world.
In Dive Magazine are numerous reviews of Indonesia’s many fantastic dive spots . Among which are Raja Ampat in West Papua, the Alor archipelago and Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Nusa Lembongan in Bali, and the Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi that have frequently received awards and have remained among the top 5 best dive spots in Asia Pacific as well as around the world.
The fabulous dive sites in Indonesia have for years been recognized by Scuba Diving, a traveler’s guide magazine for divers and snorkeling enthusiasts.
In 2011, Indonesia was named the champion in the Indo-Pacific region mentioned in the printed edition of Scuba Diving. That year, Indonesia won the awards for Macro Life, Overall Rating of Destinations, Health of Marine Environment, and Underwater Photography.
In 2012, five Indonesian destinations won the best titles by their readers. They were : the Bunaken National Marine Park in North Sulawesi was named Best Marine Park, while Wakatobi House Reef won the Best Shore Dive, and Bali the Best in the Topside Category. The award for Best Live-Aboard went to Indosiren, Indonesia, with Best Night Dive went to Nudi Falls in the Lembeh Strait.
In 2013, three best underwater titles were also successfully taken by Indonesia. These were the Best Live-Aboard by Arenui, Indonesia, The best Dive Site House Reef by Wakatobi Dive Resort, and Best bar went to Café Billiard Bali.
The following year in 2014, the Liberty wreck in Tulemben, Bali, the Arenui, the Arborek Jetty, and the Raja Ampat islands were listed among the top 100 Gold List reader’s choice awards. The title of Best Shore Dive was awarded to Liberty Bali, while the Best Live-Aboard was again taken by Arenui. Raja Ampat won the Best Animal encounter. While the titles of best Night Life and Best Night Dive went to Bali and Arborek Jetty, Raja Ampat.
In 2015, Indonesia was again among the top 100 best dive spots. In the Underwater Photography in the Indian and Pacific Oceans region category, the Crab on Coral picture taken by Rodger Klein at Lembeh Strait was chosen as the best. Indonesia also won the category as the Best Macro Diving region Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Share your photographs for Awards 2018.
After crowning Indonesia as the Most Popular Dive Destination 2017, Dive magazine is currently preparing a series of articles portraying the magnificent beauty of Indonesia’s underwater paradise. Information and photographs of Indonesia’s enchanting underwater splendors can be shared to Dive Magazine via email to [email protected] with subject: “Indonesia”.
The poll for next year’s competition will be published in the summer while the winner for 2018 will be announced at the World Travel market in London in November.
Here is the Top Ten List in The Most Popular Dive Destinations 2017
1. Indonesia: 22, 552 votes
2. Papua New Guinea: 6.083 votes
3. The Philippines: 3.313 votes
4. Mexico: 2.032 votes
5. Maldives: 2.024 votes
6. Australia: 1.497 votes
7. The Red Sea: 1.441 votes
8. Thailand: 1.281 votes
9. The Bahamas: 995 votes
10. Palau: 983 votes
