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This is all well and good, and I agree with the sentiment. But I typically spend from $4 to $20k on a dive trip and my even more precious vacation time. So I don't intend to spend it swimming among denuded coral heads in Montego Bay looking for what makes that site special. If I had the time to winnow out all the mediocre spots by visiting them I'd be happy to do so; unfortunately I get three dive trips in a good year and I rely on research to make sure they're as good as they can be.Students ask me this all the time. Every dive spot is special for a reason. I tell them it's their job to go find out for themselves why it's special. It's someone's favorite, it may or may not be yours, but only make that call based on your own experience. I have a list of favorites that keeps on growing. As RJP said, my favorite is usually wherever my last dive was. Close to home (whereever that may be at the moment since I've lived/worked in some awesome dive destinations) is usually at the top of the ever growing fluctuating list.