2010 social Survey of Manta Ray Tour Participants

In 2010, we worked with a team of scientists at the University of Hawaii. 

Around that time, scuba diving and snorkeling with manta rays in Hawaii was becoming increasingly popular, with over 30 boats and 300 participants on peak evenings. The team at the University of Hawaii wanted to analyse the social side of the manta ray activity: 

• Do participants feel crowded by other snorkelers, scuba divers, and boats? 

• Do any conflicts occur between snorkelers, scuba divers and staff? 

• Would participants support restrictions (limiting the number of boats and guests)? 

• Would participants support sanctions for people who didn’t follow the guidelines? 

How the Study was Conducted

A team of scientists observed the manta ray activity at the one manta ray viewing site, Manta Heaven (Garden Eel Cove), near the Kona International Airport. They tagged along with the activity for several nights, observing what happened before people entered the water, while they were interacting with the manta rays, and after they exited. 

When people finished the activity (when they got off the boats), they were presented with a quick questionnaire as they exited the bathrooms. 

The first part of the questionnaire asked them about their experience with the mantas and with other people; the second part asked about potential restrictions and sanctions. 

2017 Results: Participants Support Restrictions and Sanctions

A first article using the results from the survey was published in 2017. 

It showed that 79% of snorkelers and 53% of scuba divers reported “conflicts” with other snorkelers or scuba divers. 

Most conflicts included anything from bumping into people (up to 92%!), other people not being sufficiently aware of their surroundings (73%), and other participants blinding people with their underwater flashlights (56%). 

In short, most participants thought there were too many other people at the same place simultaneously. 

The second part of the survey asked about potential restrictions and sanctions: what did people think of limiting the number of participants (snorkelers, scuba divers, and boats)? 

Not surprisingly, most snorkelers and scuba divers supported the idea of having fewer snorkelers, scuba divers, and boats in one place at the same time. They also welcomed the idea of providing education on how to behave when in the water, especially if they had actually experienced nuisance from other divers and snorkelers. 

While participants often supported the idea of sanctioning divers and snorkelers who hindered other people, they were not as likely to sanction the tour operator or tour guides for not “keeping their people in check”. 

You can read more about the study and download the PDF on the website of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, where the study was published in 2017. You can also download the PDF for free at ResearchGate.

2018 Results: Satisfaction and Return Visits

The data from the 2010 survey was used again in a 2018 publication in the same journal. 

It showed that 78% of participants felt crowded by the manta ray tour boats, 82% by snorkelers, and 69% by scuba divers when viewing the manta rays. 

A clear majority of participants said that the number of other snorkelers, divers, and boats exceeded their norms and expectations for this kind of activity. These participants also mentioned they were less likely not to visit the manta rays again, even if they had enjoyed the experience overall. 

Find out more about this study on the website of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism. You can also download the PDF with the full article at ResearchGate.

Why This Survey Was a Game Changer

This was the first survey conducted into how participants really felt about the growing overcapacity at manta ray viewing sites. 

It showed that not only did a majority of the manta tour participants at the Manta Heaven viewing site experience being hindered by having too many other people around them, but they were also actually supportive of action being taken that would allow for a safer and more enjoyable experience. 

For many of us in the manta ray tourism industry, it confirmed what we were already seeing and experiencing every day: manta ray viewing sites were becoming too crowded, and authorities needed to take action and not only set but enforce legislation that would make manta ray tourism safer and more enjoyable for all.