[MantaReport] Customer Feedback

[Maggie Anderson]

Below is an email from a recent customer  regarding the manta snorkel that I
would like to share with everyone.   Being in the water with the manta rays
is a sacred experience and as professionals it is up to us to set a good
example for all.  This is just one person's feedback that I am sharing, but
it isn't the first time we have received this kind of feedback. How many
more people go away with a bad taste in their mouth and never say anything
at all to us or any operator?  Instead they share it with their friends..

 

Mahalo,

Virginia

Kona Honu Divers

 

From: mark [mailto:mmreedy at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2014 12:58 PM
To: maggie_a at konahonudivers.com
Subject: feedback

 

Hello Kona-Honu,

 

I am writing to give some feedback concerning the nighttime manta
dive/snorkel I, my wife, and 8 friends did on June 19th. Please know that I
am writing you because we like your company and your professionalism, and we
see an issue with that entire manta experience that is not positive and we
are hoping your voice can help change things. It is our hope that you take
this information and use it because I suspect that your company cares as
much about was happens there as we do.

 

We had actually gone on the same trip two years ago, and loved it so much we
wanted to go back. We have told so many people of the great experience that
I feel that we are partly to blame for what we saw on the 19th. 

 

In essence the sheer number of people that show up to see these animals
diminishes the experience to such a degree that we agreed as a group that we
will not go back until something changes, and we will strongly dissuade
others from going. While we understand that you and the other companies are
trying to make a living, and respect that, there really needs to be in place
some regulation of numbers. As you well know it was a zoo, and we all walked
away with a bad taste in our mouth.

 

All of us were kicked numerous times by the other companies' customers as
everyone jockeyed for position. Personally I was kicked twice in the nuts,
kicked in the face countless times, and had my view blocked most of the
time. My experience was typical of everyone in my group. At one point I was
being hit so often and had gotten hemmed in so badly I was forced to let go
of the surfboard for a couple of minutes only to be berated by another
snorkel leader for doing so. It felt like survival, not witnessing a
beautiful event.

 

Finally, in the midst of this beautiful dance of these animals dozens of
other people (all from other companies) were screaming and splashing as if
at a rock concert. It was inappropriate and detracted from the experience. I
have heard that other boats encourage their clients to do this. It isn't a
party and we were all appalled.

 

I hope that your standing as a professional company can help change what
goes on at manta heaven for the better. I truly believe that everyone will
win if it is regulated, and it will mean a sustainable business for all.
Otherwise I see this dying as we love it do death.

 

Sincerely,


Mark Reedy (and 9 friends)
 
 





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