Hawaii Ocean Watch
@hawaiioceanwatch.bsky.social
Making ocean recreation in Hawaii safe & sustainable again. Educating the public and advocating for better regulations of the coastal tourism industry - so humans can enjoy marine life without harming it.
Manta rays face many threats, and one of them is irresponsible anchoring - local boats dropping anchors directly onto coral instead of using designated areas.
Learn more about this harmful practice and how it affects manta rays here.
Learn more about this harmful practice and how it affects manta rays here.
Protecting Our Reefs and the Manta Rays: Responsible Anchoring in Hawaii — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Learn how anchoring on coral reefs harms the marine ecosystem and manta rays.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Manta rays face many threats, and one of them is irresponsible anchoring - local boats dropping anchors directly onto coral instead of using designated areas.
Learn more about this harmful practice and how it affects manta rays here.
Learn more about this harmful practice and how it affects manta rays here.
Seeing sea turtles in Hawaii is magical but we need to keep them safe. Stay 10+ feet away, never touch or feed them, and protect nests & hatchlings. Your actions matter!
Learn more about responsible interactions with sea turtles here.
Learn more about responsible interactions with sea turtles here.
How to Responsibly Interact with Sea Turtles — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Learn the best practices for observing sea turtles without disturbing their natural behaviors and well-being.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Seeing sea turtles in Hawaii is magical but we need to keep them safe. Stay 10+ feet away, never touch or feed them, and protect nests & hatchlings. Your actions matter!
Learn more about responsible interactions with sea turtles here.
Learn more about responsible interactions with sea turtles here.
As marine advocates, we urge everyone who goes whale-watching to follow these guidelines, which ensure the safety of both the whales and the participants - making our encounters safe and respectful for all!
Guidelines for responsible humpback whale watching — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Follow these guidelines to keep whale-watching activities safe for both whales and participants.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
October 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM
As marine advocates, we urge everyone who goes whale-watching to follow these guidelines, which ensure the safety of both the whales and the participants - making our encounters safe and respectful for all!
In 2015, Dr. Kahng assessed manta ray boat tours in Hawaii... his conclusions were shocking at the time: "severe accidents are likely to occur if no changes are made." What's even more shocking is that nothing has changed!
Check out the details of the assessment here 👇
Check out the details of the assessment here 👇
2015 Assessment of MR boating operations - Dr. Sam Kahng — Hawaii Ocean Watch
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!
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
September 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM
In 2015, Dr. Kahng assessed manta ray boat tours in Hawaii... his conclusions were shocking at the time: "severe accidents are likely to occur if no changes are made." What's even more shocking is that nothing has changed!
Check out the details of the assessment here 👇
Check out the details of the assessment here 👇
If you come to Hawaii to swim with manta rays at night, you will travel to a "viewing site", a place where mantas frequently visit to eat plankton. This article explores the three viewing sites along the Kona Coast!
Manta ray viewing sites - kona coast — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Find out more about the three established manta ray viewing sites on the Kona coast in Hawaii.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
August 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM
If you come to Hawaii to swim with manta rays at night, you will travel to a "viewing site", a place where mantas frequently visit to eat plankton. This article explores the three viewing sites along the Kona Coast!
As marine advocates, we urge everyone who goes whale-watching to follow the guidelines below.
These rules ensure the safety of both the whales and the participants, making our encounters safe and respectful for all 💙
Share these with anyone you know who's planning a whale-watching trip!
These rules ensure the safety of both the whales and the participants, making our encounters safe and respectful for all 💙
Share these with anyone you know who's planning a whale-watching trip!
Guidelines for responsible humpback whale watching — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Follow these guidelines to keep whale-watching activities safe for both whales and participants.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
July 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM
As marine advocates, we urge everyone who goes whale-watching to follow the guidelines below.
These rules ensure the safety of both the whales and the participants, making our encounters safe and respectful for all 💙
Share these with anyone you know who's planning a whale-watching trip!
These rules ensure the safety of both the whales and the participants, making our encounters safe and respectful for all 💙
Share these with anyone you know who's planning a whale-watching trip!
Organizing hundreds of snorkelers, scuba divers, and crew at a manta ray viewing site is a logistical nightmare!
How to fix that? 👉🏻 By using "the campfire method."
Read how it works and why it’s important for tour operators to comply here!
How to fix that? 👉🏻 By using "the campfire method."
Read how it works and why it’s important for tour operators to comply here!
Organizing Manta Ray Viewing Sites with the Campfire Method — Hawaii Ocean Watch
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!
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
July 9, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Organizing hundreds of snorkelers, scuba divers, and crew at a manta ray viewing site is a logistical nightmare!
How to fix that? 👉🏻 By using "the campfire method."
Read how it works and why it’s important for tour operators to comply here!
How to fix that? 👉🏻 By using "the campfire method."
Read how it works and why it’s important for tour operators to comply here!
Our current focus at Hawaii Ocean Watch is on manta ray tourism.
Contrary to other branches of ocean recreation, manta ray tourism is completely unregulated - and this has harrowing consequences for everyone involved.
Contrary to other branches of ocean recreation, manta ray tourism is completely unregulated - and this has harrowing consequences for everyone involved.
June 25, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Our current focus at Hawaii Ocean Watch is on manta ray tourism.
Contrary to other branches of ocean recreation, manta ray tourism is completely unregulated - and this has harrowing consequences for everyone involved.
Contrary to other branches of ocean recreation, manta ray tourism is completely unregulated - and this has harrowing consequences for everyone involved.
If you ever encounter a Hawaiian Monk Seal, avoid putting yourself and the monk seal in danger by following these guidelines!
Guidelines: how to safely interact with Monk Seals — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Follow these guidelines to stay safe when encountering Hawaiian Monk Seals - and to keep the monk seals safe as well.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
June 11, 2025 at 5:01 AM
If you ever encounter a Hawaiian Monk Seal, avoid putting yourself and the monk seal in danger by following these guidelines!
Bookmark this page to stay in the loop on what’s happening in Hawaii’s waters! We share the latest news about ocean recreation, manta rays, responsible tourism and more! 👇
In the media — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Clicking on one of the images below will open the article in a new tab and on the news platform’s website.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
May 28, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Bookmark this page to stay in the loop on what’s happening in Hawaii’s waters! We share the latest news about ocean recreation, manta rays, responsible tourism and more! 👇
Read this article for a simple list of guidelines to follow when you're planning to swim with manta rays.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org/resources/gu...
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org/resources/gu...
Guidelines for Safe and Respectful Interaction with Manta Rays — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Follow these guidelines for interacting with manta rays and help protect the gentle giants of the ocean.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org
May 14, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Read this article for a simple list of guidelines to follow when you're planning to swim with manta rays.
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org/resources/gu...
www.hawaiioceanwatch.org/resources/gu...
If you've been following us, you know manta ray tourism rules are still in the making. In 2020, a study found the proposed regulations addressed most concerns - yet five years later, we're still waiting for approval. Read more in this article!
2020 Study of Proposed Regulations in the Manta Ray Tourism Industry — Hawaii Ocean Watch
A 2020 study by Kirsten Moy into the potential consequences of the proposed new regulations for the manta ray tourism industry in Hawaii
buff.ly
April 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
If you've been following us, you know manta ray tourism rules are still in the making. In 2020, a study found the proposed regulations addressed most concerns - yet five years later, we're still waiting for approval. Read more in this article!
In 2012, Federal and State Officials asked manta tour operators to self-regulate, leading to the Manta Tour Operator Standards. But since adherence was voluntary, not everyone followed. To this day, these are the only "regulations" for manta ray tourism!
Manta tour operator standards — Hawaii Ocean Watch
Manta tour operators in Hawaii set up guidelines for manta ray tour safety. Find the highlights and download the original document here!
buff.ly
April 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
In 2012, Federal and State Officials asked manta tour operators to self-regulate, leading to the Manta Tour Operator Standards. But since adherence was voluntary, not everyone followed. To this day, these are the only "regulations" for manta ray tourism!
Swimming with manta rays in overcrowded sites affects everyone - participants, crew, and the mantas. A 2010 study found that most visitors wouldn’t return due to the crowds. 15 years later, nothing has improved! 😔
2010 social Survey of Manta Ray Tour Participants — Hawaii Ocean Watch
2010 survey into customer experience during manta snorkeling and scuba diving tours in Hawaii
buff.ly
April 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Swimming with manta rays in overcrowded sites affects everyone - participants, crew, and the mantas. A 2010 study found that most visitors wouldn’t return due to the crowds. 15 years later, nothing has improved! 😔
The word "Pono" in Hawaiian means "to live in harmony with all things".
The "Pono Pledge" is a commitment to respectful and sustainable interaction with the resources, animals, and people of Hawaii.
Make sure to take the pledge if you ever visit our archipelago! buff.ly/OCkZ0Jy
The "Pono Pledge" is a commitment to respectful and sustainable interaction with the resources, animals, and people of Hawaii.
Make sure to take the pledge if you ever visit our archipelago! buff.ly/OCkZ0Jy
March 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The word "Pono" in Hawaiian means "to live in harmony with all things".
The "Pono Pledge" is a commitment to respectful and sustainable interaction with the resources, animals, and people of Hawaii.
Make sure to take the pledge if you ever visit our archipelago! buff.ly/OCkZ0Jy
The "Pono Pledge" is a commitment to respectful and sustainable interaction with the resources, animals, and people of Hawaii.
Make sure to take the pledge if you ever visit our archipelago! buff.ly/OCkZ0Jy
Every year, more people travel to Hawaii to experience whales, dolphins, sharks, manta rays, and other marine life in their natural habitat.
March 6, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Every year, more people travel to Hawaii to experience whales, dolphins, sharks, manta rays, and other marine life in their natural habitat.