Martina Wing 5/20/24 Martina Wing 5/20/24

Guidelines for Safe and Respectful Interaction with Manta Rays

Follow these guidelines for interacting with manta rays and help protect the gentle giants of the ocean.

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 10/2/23 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 10/2/23

Manta ray viewing sites - kona coast

Find out more about the three established manta ray viewing sites on the Kona coast in Hawaii.

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 9/18/23 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 9/18/23

Organizing Manta Ray Viewing Sites with the Campfire Method

The Campfire Method is a safe and sustainable way to organize manta ray viewing sites. Read how it works and why it’s important for tour operators to comply!

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 10/30/22 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 10/30/22

Manta ray tours popularity prompts regulation

Report by on khon2.com stressing the need for enforceable legislation for manta ray tour operators

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 10/27/22 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 10/27/22

Manta ray snorkeling off Big Island to see new rules in place to address safety

KITV4 report on new rules being created for manta ray viewing off Hawaii Island

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 9/5/22 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 9/5/22

Young manta ray dies after anchor line entanglement

News article on khon2.com about the death of Blushing Ray in Oahu. First published September 5th, 2022.

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 12/28/20 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 12/28/20

2020 Study of Proposed Regulations in the Manta Ray Tourism Industry

A 2020 study by Kirsten Moy into the potential consequences of the proposed new regulations for the manta ray tourism industry in Hawaii

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 11/1/19 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 11/1/19

Profit Over Safety: Ecotourism Gone Wrong?

Article on Seven Seas Media about the safety issues and proposed regulations for manta ray tourism.

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 4/9/18 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 4/9/18

2nd manta ray in less than a month has been found injured off Kona

Ralph Ray found with nearly torn off cephalic fin near Garden Eel Cove

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 3/12/18 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 3/12/18

State takes action after manta ray found gouged off Hawaii Island

Reaction from DLNR after Eli Ray was found severely injured by propeller blades near Garden Eel Cove

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 1/15/16 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 1/15/16

How to save lives without scaring tourists away

Article in Civil Beat about ocean recreation safety in Hawaii

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 8/6/15 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 8/6/15

2015 Assessment of MR boating operations - Dr. Sam Kahng

A 2015 assessment of the risks in nightly manta ray viewing tours around Kona, Hawaii concluded that severe accidents are inevitable under the current circumstances. More details here!

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 7/21/15 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 7/21/15

Crowded Water

Article in Hawaii Business Magazine on overcrowding in dolphin and manta ray dives

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 12/10/14 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 12/10/14

2010 social Survey of Manta Ray Tour Participants

2010 survey into customer experience during manta snorkeling and scuba diving tours in Hawaii

Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 4/30/13 Sandrine | SmartAlpaca Marketing 4/30/13

Manta tour operator standards

Manta tour operators in Hawaii set up guidelines for manta ray tour safety. Find the highlights and download the original document here!