Green List of Manta activity providers
Why do we need a Greenlist?
In 2013, dozens of companies involved in manta ray tourism came together to develop "tour operator standards.” However, not all companies agree to hold themselves to that standard, and visitors can’t know which companies are really making an effort just by looking at their websites. Naturally, each company will tell you they’re 100% safe and sustainable.
This is why we developed a “green list” of manta ray tour operators who make sizeable efforts to improve safety and sustainability for their guests, their crew, and the manta rays.
How do activity providers get on the greenlist?
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Hawaii Ocean Watch Preferred Activity Providers practice the highest ecological standards.
Each preferred activity provider is a trendsetter showing leadership for the entire ocean recreation boating industry by committing itself
to keep people and marine life safe
to conduct sustainable operations and
to create marine life-friendly encounters.
Preferred activity providers prioritize safe, sustainable, and marine life-friendly practices over profits.
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Each preferred activity provider spreads the mission and message of Hawaii Ocean Watch by educating their guests, website visitors, and followers.
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Every year, greenlisted companies re-commit to our shared goals - to make ocean recreation as safe and sustainable as possible.
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Preferred activity providers don’t just commit with words: our volunteers monitor the situation at the viewing sites so we know companies on the greenlist are “walking the talk”.
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Being on the Hawaii manta greenlist increases the visibility of participating activity providers. It shows your customers that you care about their safety, the safety of the mantas, and the environment.
We are not currently publishing the greenlist (see below), but feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Criteria for the green list
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No touching mantas
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No free diving
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No hull lighting
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No propellers
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No fragmentation
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No anchor on reef
2023 - Greenlist suspended.
It is now virtually impossible for companies operating at the Keauhou or the Airport viewing sites to comply with safety and sustainability criteria.
We can’t recommend tour operators in good conscience.
The Kona manta industry has grown exponentially since 2012.
The nightly overcrowding with boats, divers, snorkelers, and crew at the Keauhou viewing site and the manta site near the airport makes this activity inherently unsafe.
While most Manta tour providers aim to provide an enriching adventure, this is impossible with 15-30 boats dwelling or circulating in the dark while 200-400 people are in the water.
Instead, we encourage you to ask questions before you book.
After we suspended the Greenlist, we received regular inquiries from concerned visitors, wondering if there is an alternative.
As a temporary solution, we developed five questions you can use when choosing an activity provider for your manta ray swim.
Hopefully, these questions can lift the curtain (a little) on what has been happening behind the scenes for years.