Our unique rating system is based on an identical series of questions sent to all dive centres.

The answers obtained from the dive centres, and randomly checked by our inspectors, are then compiled into a rating based on a number of starfish. One starfish represents the lowest quality rating, and five represent the best. The parameters for each section of the rating process have been decided over a long period of time by a board of expert divers.

Ratings can change each year according to new or changed parameters. Any comments (positive or negative) we receive that do not match our rating system will be investigated, and the rating changed accordingly. Ratings are based on a series of definitions and are always a mix of several parameter, some of them are kept confidential.

DIVE CENTERS

Service: this includes – but is not limited to – languages spoken, type of course and certification offered, facilities and equipment provided

Value: is not only price. We introduce a weight according to the distance of the dive spot. Then it is normal to have a more expensive dive if the distance to reach the spot is far. The tank fill is important as well as for the same price you prefer to get more air, right?

Finally it is important to understand that the price is always given on 1 dive even though it doesn’t exist in the offer. Like that we give an accurate and comparable data for the user.

Safety: It is a mix of several parameters again. As we are sure all staffs are doing their best to ensure active safety it is impossible for us to compare and argue on that. We have chosen transversal data which are directly related to safety and rate according to their importance. For example safety equipment is good but medical trained staff is better and doctor in the team even better. Having a deco chamber is of course the best but having a hospital at 10 minutes away is excellent as well.

So to summarize this parameter, we could name it “Safety contribution”.

Professionalism: examining the variety of courses and levels on offer, as well as the number of staff, their qualification, number of certification per year (weighted by staff and their level), type of equipment provided.

Editor: combination (not an average) of the 4 previous parameters with more weight on safety for example.

REGIONS

Experience: this includes – but is not limited to – the variety of marine life, the number of sites, accessibility, and dive conditions (visibility, depth, conditions...)

Marine life: taking into account marine biodiversity, with a higher importance placed on rare and protected species

Overall value: the diversity of the sites in regards to marine life, geology, presence of wrecks, caves.

Results: so with these rules you will see the same final editor rating for a small dive center and a big dive center because we have introduced a lot of “relativity” thanks to the weighting of our rating system.

*                 : Poor result, something wrong here…

**                : Not bad but below average, some points should be improved

***              : Good and normal

****            : Very good, above normal

*****           : Excellent, nothing to improve so difficult to get