Chaos at Manta Ray Viewing Sites: Impact and Solutions
When people come to swim with mantas along the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, they gather at a “manta ray viewing site” - a location where manta rays consistently come to feed on plankton at night, attracted by strategically placed underwater lights.
→ Read more about how manta ray viewing sites are created.
Over the last decade, manta ray tourism has faced a significant problem as the number of tour boat operators and participants has steadily increased. Visitors end up spread out throughout the viewing site instead of staying together in one area.
The Best Way to Organize the Manta Swims: the Campfire Method
Historically, tour operators have used what is known as the “campfire method.” This setup involves all participants congregating around the central light source, similar to gathering around a campfire.
This creates a well-lit area in the dark ocean, which attracts plankton and, in turn, manta rays to one single point at the viewing site.
This system allows for maximum control over the situation:
All manta rays congregate in this one area, which means visitors will see the maximum number of rays for the maximum number of time
There is no risk of bumping into mantas or other participants, which means it’s the safest way to observe manta rays
Boats park in an organized manner around the campfire, at a safe distance from the in-water participants, which lets the captains and crew not lose sight of the guests.
It’s also most sustainable for the manta rays, who can swim freely in the water column created between the snorkelers at the surface and the scuba divers at the bottom.
“Fragmentation” of the Viewing Sites and its Consequences
Fragmentation at manta ray viewing sites represents the opposite of the campfire method.
It occurs when multiple groups of snorkelers and divers try to attract mantas independently instead of gathering in a single, centralized viewing area.
This means visitors might see fewer manta rays for a shorter time - or even miss out on seeing them completely.
At the same time, it puts extra stress on the animals: manta rays may change their behavior as they move between spread-out groups instead of calmly feeding on plankton in one location.
The video below clearly illustrates the contrast between the campfire method and fragmentation at the viewing site.
Choosing Responsible Tour Operators
To support the best practices for manta ray viewing, we urge all visitors to Kona, Hawaii, to book their tours with providers who participate in the campfire method and adhere to the tour operator standards.
Before booking your manta ray swim, consider these five questions and read these guidelines for safe and respectful interactions with manta rays.
Adhering to these guidelines is key to maintaining the quality and sustainability of the manta ray experience and ensuring that everyone wins - both the manta rays and those fortunate enough to witness their grace.