ScubaRatings has launched "The Dive Grid," a unique dive trip planning tool. Much like users enter information into Expedia or Kayak, The Dive Grid pulls information from multiple sources, enabling divers to find dive operators and hotels worldwide in a fairly straightforward application. Subsequently, users can review the operators/hotels, allowing other users to learn from their experience. According to Jason Corkern, founder of ScubaRatings, "Our members and visitors can now figure out where to go diving and build a custom dive/hotel package within minutes instead of spending hours or weeks searching multiple sources." I just took it for a test-drive myself. I told it I wanted:
- 5 days/6 nights
- 2 divers/1 non-diver
- 2 rooms
In about 5 seconds, it returned information concerning 5 days of 2-tank boat dives, sorted from cheapest (Andaman Sunset Resort, $308 per person) to costliest. Of course, The Dive Grid didn't consider that flying from Florida to Andaman would fire-bomb any potential cost-savings, but the next cheapest alternative was Cozumel, which isn't too far. Currently, there are 16 countries, scattered throughout the world, in the Grid. As more options get pulled into it, I'm sure it will become a more effective tool. In the meantime, check it out for yourself and see what you think. Is this the future of dive travel?
1. Wow, I was wondering when someone would put something like this together. This is much needed. Seeding the Vine, immediately!
Posted at 5:31PM on Aug 23rd 2006 by Calvin Tang