For the second consecutive year Bermuda has been voted the wreck-diving capital of the Atlantic and Caribbean.

With over 9,500 ballots cast by the readers of Rodale's Scuba Diving magazine, Bermuda topped Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas for the best overall wreck-diving vacation experience on this side of the world.

The Island also won thumbs-up as one of the best snorkling destinations, coming second to Bonaire in the readers choice awards.

"Our readers love this survey and look for it each year. It's a great way to plan dive vacations,'' said Scuba Diving magazine's Jan Britt.

"The Bermuda Department of Tourism has recognised this and have been doing a great job in getting the word out, but there is still tremendous room for growth,'' she added.

And in a further effort to boost the Island's wreck-diving profile, Scuba Diving magazine plans to play host to the Bermuda Wreck Tour in late April.

"We are working on the same premise as the historical homes tour -- except with this tour you need mask, fins, and a tank,'' said Ms Britt.

Not all the news however was positive; Bermudian dive operators and resorts did not rate a mention in the 1996 survey, a point not lost on Minister of Tourism David Dodwell. "There's no question we're playing a game of catch-up,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"Operators in the Caribbean are better known because they've been at it for years and frankly we've suffered from insufficient exposure.'' Programmes such as wreck diving certificates have generated a lot of positive feedback and public exposure in American dive magazines he noted, but the Island's dive industry has to reposition itself, perhaps linking up with local resorts to promote dive packages.

For the past year said Mr. Dodwell, the Department of Tourism has been cooperating with local operators by spotlighting dive shops in department marketing; operators will also be included in the up-coming "Beneath the Sea'' trade show.

"It's really a job of coordinated marketing and PR. They have to get their names out there. Personally, I think the dive shops have to get together with the hotels and put something together. Government can't do it but we can encourage linkage,'' he said.

While acknowledging the competition has a headstart Mr. Dodwell remains optimistic the gap can be narrowed: "Clearly Cayman can't compete with us in wreck diving; we've got the superior product.'' SURVEY SUR