Manta Ray Watching Certification
Keeping minimum distances and protecting manta ray cleaning stations from disturbance. Prohibiting touching and chasing. Training guides, preventing waste at sea and respecting workers’ rights.
About the certification
Friend of the Sea assesses the operation of manta ray watching trips, including snorkeling and diving encounters. The focus is on how boats and participants approach animals and use the surrounding habitat.
For guests and tour partners, certification identifies the assessed service. For operators, it supports clear procedures that guides and crew can put into practice throughout an excursion.
What can be certified
Defined manta ray watching, snorkeling and diving services, including their vessels and observation areas.
What the standard covers
Within 100 metres of manta rays or cleaning stations, boats maintain a steady no-wake speed of no more than five knots. Boats stay at least ten metres away.
Enter quietly, swim gently and approach from the side. Keep at least three metres away, leaving the animal’s route clear. Touching, chasing, flash photography, scooters and jet skis are prohibited.
Divers remain beside cleaning stations without damaging the seabed. Swimming onto a cleaning station is prohibited.
Crew training covers manta biology, behaviour and watching practices. Guests receive instructions on encounters and information about the marine habitat.
Authorisations, waste controls and workers’ rights are assessed. Scientific cooperation, conservation participation and energy-use improvements are recommended.
Assessment and certification
The assessment checks evidence for the service or facility being proposed. Agree the scope and audit arrangements before work begins, including the locations, activities and records to be reviewed.
Certification fees
Request a quotation for the proposed scope. Confirm assessment charges and any logo-use royalties before proceeding; submitting an enquiry does not commit you to certification..
Check certification status
Search the directory for the relevant product or species and check its certification scope and status. A company name in the directory does not mean that all its products are certified.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The programme addresses both forms of manta viewing. The application should specify which services and locations are to be assessed.
No. Participants must not touch or chase them and must leave room for the animals to move freely.
Only the assessed service is covered. A resort offering a certified manta excursion should identify that activity accurately in its communications.
No. Confirm certification approval, the permitted scope of the claim and the applicable logo-use agreement before adding the logo to your website or promotional materials.
Request a quotation based on the facilities or services to be assessed. Ask for assessment charges and logo-use royalties to be identified so you can review the full cost.
Use the application link below and describe the activities and locations you want assessed. The team will confirm the appropriate route and next steps.
Apply for certification
Provide your contact details, operating locations and a description of the service. For boat-based excursions, include vessel details and the activities offered.
Complete the application form and email it to quality@friendofthesea.org.