Manta Ray Advocates Hawaii

05/01/2026

I was recently a guest on the Inspire Campfire podcast with Scott Wurtzbacher.

In the conversation, I shared my story of how I took a trip to Hawaii when I was grieving the loss of my first husband; there, a night dive with manta rays completely changed the course of my life!

The awe and wonder I experienced during that single encounter led me to move to Hawaii and marry the man who filmed that first dive.

Years later, we founded Manta Ray Advocates, where we run responsible and educational manta ray encounters - so people can also experience this unique connection with the ocean.

Listen to the episode here - I’d love to hear what you think!

This week on Inspire Campfire , Scott welcomes Martina Wing, founder of Manta Ray Advocates in Kona, Hawaii. Originally from Germany, Martina came to Hawaii during a difficult season of grief after losing her first husband to leukemia. What began as a trip for healing became the start of an entirel

12/19/2025

For 27 years now (and counting), I have been joining people from all walks of life underwater as they meet manta rays in their natural habitat. Once back on the beach, we’d talk about the surprising, sometimes transformational experience - and this often leads to deep conversations about life, our planet, and the relationship between humans and nature.

For a long time, I’ve been looking for a way to share these beautiful stories - and now it’s happening: in my brand new podcast, Ocean Wings, we explore how nature can heal trauma, ignite action, and reconnect us with our purpose in life.

This short teaser-trailer will show you what you’re in for!

Ocean Wings is a podcast about conservation, civic courage and the ripple effect of nature. Tune in weekly for real stories of how manta ray magic leads to p...

02/26/2025

A common question we get is “can manta ray tours harm the mantas?”

The answer is that, when DONE RIGHT, manta ray tourism is a win-win situation: while the mantas follow their usual feeding patterns, humans experience a breathtaking display of Mother Nature.

But remember, it’s only sustainable when done right: by following tour operator standards and guidelines for passive interaction with manta rays.

Read more about it here! 👇

Are manta ray expeditions harmful to manta rays? Discover the answer from both the mantas perspective and the human standpoint.

02/19/2025

The wonders of ocean life never cease to amaze.

02/12/2025

Manta rays are known as the gentle giants of the ocean. They are majestic creatures who can grow as large as a school bus, yet they are among the sea's most peaceful and approachable beings.

With no teeth, barbs, or stingers, they only feed on plankton, making them harmless to humans. And when they sense danger, their natural response is to swim away.

Learn more about why they are called the gentle giants in this article + video! 🌊

Despite their massive size, manta rays are harmless creatures, earning the nickname of “gentle giants of the ocean.” Here is why!

01/29/2025

If you go on a manta ray swim, you'll likely encounter reef manta rays, different from their giant cousins - the pelagic mantas.

This article covers all about reef mantas - what they eat, where they live, their unique features, and how we can help protect them!

The reef manta ray is often confused with its larger relative, the giant manta ray. Let's explore their diet and habitat, how they differ from other rays, and what we can do to protect them from extinction!

01/22/2025

Small actions by many can have a huge impact

01/15/2025

Swimming with manta rays is unforgettable, but only when it’s done safely and responsibly. Here in Hawaii, snorkeling with mantas is a night-time activity - meaning it's pitch dark out there!

That's why it's important not to go alone, but instead to join a tour or go with a guide.

Experienced guides know where to find the mantas, monitor changing ocean conditions, and, most importantly, keep you and the manta rays safe.

Check out our latest article to learn more about manta ray experience guides!

If you're planning to snorkel with manta rays in Hawaii, always go with an experienced guide. In this post, we highlight the risks of snorkeling at night and why having a guide makes all the difference.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from the Manta Ray Advocates team! 🌊🌊

Cheers 🥂🥂 to new beginnings 🥂🥂

Be encouraged to create a better world. If you’re looking for ways to give back to the ocean this year, check out this list of the top 5 ocean conservation organizations to support!

As a marine life advocate, I support charities that are making an impact. Here's my list of the 5 best ocean conservation organizations to support in 2021.

12/27/2024

Manta rays consume ~12% of their body weight in plankton each week, and they have the largest brain-to-body weight ratio of any fish.

There are so many more fascinating facts about these magnificent creatures! We've compiled them in our free eBook: Fun Facts and Figures About Manta Rays.

👉🏻 Get to know the gentle giants of the sea
👉🏻 Learn why they’re facing extinction
👉🏻 Inspire friends and fellow divers with manta ray facts

Be the manta ray expert among your peers! Download the eBook here!

Free PDF Ebook - Everything you need to know about manta rays. Facts and figures, threats, and mysteries!