INDONESIA again Confirmed Top Dive Destination in the World: Dive Magazine 2017 Travel Awards
For the second year running, Indonesia was again crowned World's Top Destination in the Dive Magazine - world's most prominent Scuba digital magazine - 2017 Travel Awards.
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Completing this victory is the Siladen Resort and Spa, nestling in the heart of the stunning Bunaken National Park in North Sulawesi, which also came out Winner as the World's Most Popular Dive Resort. While, with only one vote short, the Pelagian of Sulawesi settled for 2nd place in the Top Liveaboard Category.
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These achievements underscored and recognized the outstanding beauty that are the Indonesian Archipelago's underwater worlds that together make up earth's ultimate dive paradise.
Photo source: www.divemagazine.co.uk
As last year's winner, Indonesia this year led the poll already from the start with 1,076 out of a total of 9,399 votes cast (11.45%). In second place, with 749 votes (7.97%) followed the Philippines and the Azores with 576 votes (6.13%). While the others in the Top Ten dive destinations were all closely grouped receiving 554 votes for Mexico to 468 votes for Papua New Guinea. Next to the Azores making the Top 10, the other new entry was Fiji while Australia and Malaysia dropped out.
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In the Category of Dive Centers or Resorts, Siladen Resort and Spa was the clear winner with a convincing 820 out of a total of 3,117 votes cast (26.31%), nearly double the number of votes compared to its nearest rival. Reflecting the stunning dive destinations found in the Indo-Pacific region, the Top 10 Dive Centres and Resorts are indeed allocated in this particular area. The Oblu-Helengli resort in the Maldives was placed second with 469 votes.
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With the exception of Atmosphere Dauin (5th Place) and Aiyanar (10th Place) which are in the Philippines, the other Resorts in the Top Ten are dominated by Indonesia with Wakatobi in South-east Sulawesi coming in third, just ahead of the Lembeh Resort located in the North Sulawesi. Other Indonesian resorts on the list are: Misool and Papua Paradise in Raja Ampat, West Papua; and Atlantis Diving Center and Blue Corner Dive in Bali.
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The luxury Siladen Resort and Spa sits in the heart of the Bunaken National Park in northern Sulawesi and has long been famed for its quality diving. The translucent waters of the Bunaken seas enable people to clearly view its wondrous sea biota. There are over 13 species of coral reefs in this park, with predominantly edge ridges and block ridges. The most amazing views here are the steep vertical sloppy coral reefs that plunge as deep as 25 to 50 meters. For those who enjoy scuba diving, this is a great place to be. With about 20 dive spots to choose from, divers will have the chance to plunge deep into the sea, and frolic with the underwater creatures while admiring the scenic view.
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As the only category that slipped from Indonesia's hands in the top Liveaboard category, Sulawesi's Pelagian of Indonesia was pushed to second place by only one vote by Cocos Sea Hunter from Costa Rica who took the top spot with 233 votes out of a total 1,338 cast. The two had been jockeying for top slot in the last few days with Sea Hunter sealing the prize in the last hours of the poll. Liveaboards from around the world were represented in the Top 10 with Bahamas Aggressor coming in third, followed by the FeBrina in Papua New Guinea and the Nautilus Explorer from Baja California.
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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 its crystal clear blue waters, there is no doubt that Indonesia is undeniably the world's ultimate dive destination.
The Complete list of Winners of Dive Magazine's 2017 Travel Awards can be viewed at: http://divemagazine.co.uk/go/7863-dive-travel-awards-2017-the-winners
