I think you don't understand how the ratings work. The form asks questions and you rate on a scale of 1 to 10 various aspects of the diving.
To be fair, it is called "Reader's Choice". they did not title it as "World's Best" or similar... they blamed it on their readership.
Where it really falls apart for me is in the "critters" and "wrecks" section.
If you have been to all of these places- if you have the ability to actually see what there was to see- the results are topsy turvy.
In "Top Wreck Diving", Oahu beat out the Red Sea.
Really? I think it's more a function of the narrow perspective of the readership... most haven't been to the Red Sea to notice what was there. Maldives and Los Roques wasn't even on the list. They're smeared with wrecks, although not as easy access as the red Sea would be.
"Top Wreck Diving"? Bikini Atoll didn't quite make the list. Why? Very few can put it together to get there. Further validation.
"Top Marine Life" showed Galapagos tied with Palau. How did that happen? The Galloping Pogos has
six things that you go to see. Palau is a painter's palette of marine life. The similar rating in "Top Big Animal Encounters", now- that made sense. But saying that these two are tied for first in "Top Marine Life"? Somebody is smoking their socks. Same exact deal for "Top UW Photo". Galapagos = Palau. really?
"Top Marine Life" Utila showed up, why? The hope of Whale Sharks. The advanced diving and observational abilities required to patiently appreciate the diverse macro on the South side of Roatan? That kept it off the list.
"Top Advanced Diving"? Apparently no one has been to Tobago. Luckily, the island's condition itself shows that is the case. Stay away, you won't like it
"Top Shore Diving"? Who could argue with the island nation of Bonaire? But curiously, Roatan also shows up on the list. Roatan has de facto only one real shore dive arguably shared by two resorts. So... two resorts (essentially) are right in there with an entire nation. Interesting little oddity. 1 versus 100, indeed.
In that same category, the Maldives didn't even show up. Of course, the North American reader, if they have even heard of this treasure, only know of the liveaboard option. In fact, the vast majority of dives there are shore dives. Once again- it's a bulk familiarity contest.
Now here's the ugly truth:
All your hard work in voting eneterd you in a 1 in 1,000,000 chance at the big pot of gold prize. What the magazine got was much more valuable.
They got market research (admittedly skewed) as to what their readers know about and want to hear more about. Let's face it, SDM is not in the business of distributing altruistic truth about new and adventurous destinations for your log book.
There are incredible dive spots out there ripe for the doing that you will not hear about. Why? Because no one is there to buy advertising (which in turn causes splashy photo spreads and articles). One causes the other. How many "top ten must do dives" in Cozumel did you want to see published in a year?
They are selling advertising.
With this survey, they will knock on the doors of potential advertisers that are in these zones or islands and say,
LOOK at this money that could be yours. Just advertise with us and.....
Aint nothin' for free... just see it for what it is.
And hey- it worked! Got us talking about it, right?
