Hawaii Marine Tourism Guest Survey
Aloha, and mahalo (thank you) for providing your input! Please fill out this survey within 10 days of your tour. We appreciate your assistance in helping Hawaii's marine tourism community receive valuable feedback in support of coral reef conservation.
Please indicate whether you would like to be entered into our random drawing to win a gift certificate from Amazon.com, for taking the time to complete this survey! (Note: you must provide your contact info below, in order to receive notification of an award)
Yes! Please enter me in the drawing!
No
Please indicate whether you would like to receive a FREE 1-year membership to CORAL, for taking the time to complete this survey! (Note: you must provide your contact info below, in order to receive your membership.)
Yes!
No
Name (optional)
Email (optional)
Phone Number (optional)
Please note, regardless of your entry in our random drawing or receiving a free 1 year membership to CORAL, your identity will be kept confidential in reporting feedback to companies, unless you specify otherwise, below.
Please keep my name confidential
CORAL may share my name and contact information with the company I am providing feedback about
Date of Trip
If you went out on more than one day please fill out separate survey forms for each trip
MM
/
DD
/
YYYY
Island
Hawaii Island ("Big Island")
Maui
Kauai
Oahu
Name of Hawai'i Island company you went on the tour with:
Please select
Adventures in Paradise
Big Island Divers
Blue Sea Cruises
Body Glove
Captain Zodiac
Dolphin Discoveries
Dolphin Journeys
Fair Wind
Harbor Dive Shop/Ocean Eco Tours
Hawaii Pack and Paddle
Hula Kai
Island RV
Jack's Diving Locker
Kohala Divers
Kona Boys
Kona Honu Divers
Kona Surf Adventures
Mara's Dive
Neptune Charlies
Ocean Sports
One Love One Spirit
Pacific Rim Divers
Pirate Charters Kona
Sea Hawaii Rafting
Sea Paradise
Sea Quest
Splashers Ocean Adventures
Torpedo Tours
Underwater Adventures Hawaii
Wanna Dive
Other (please enter below)
TEST (DO NOT USE)
Other company, Hawaii Island ("Big Island"):
Company Name, in Maui County:
Company Name, on Oahu:
Company Name, on Kauai:
Was this company part of the West Hawaii Voluntary Standards for Marine Tourism?
Yes
No
Not sure
Very Important
Important
Of Little Importance
Not Very Important
Not at All Important
How important is it to you that your tour company engages in good environmental practices?
Based on your experience today, how important are good environmental practices to the company you went out with?
Type of Tour:
SCUBA Diving
SNUBA Diving
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Surfing
Whale watching
Dolphin swim
Manta Ray night snorkel
Manta Ray night SCUBA Dive
Sightseeing only charter (no in-water activities)
Shoreline exploration
other:
On this trip were you on a boat?
Yes
No
What is your experience level with this activity?
Student under instruction
First time
I have done this 5-10 times
I have done this 10-50 times
I have done this well over 50 times
Approximately how many people were on board the boat or within the group:
0-6
6-20
21-49
50-99
over 100
other:
How many TOTAL guides were there?
Number of people in your group with your guide
Where did you go on your tour today (first site)?
Second site
Please leave blank if only one site was visited.
Were fishermen in the area where you stopped on your tour?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Briefing, General
Were you given an oral environmental briefing?
Yes
No
Not Sure
How long was the environmental briefing?
If there were multiple briefings throughout the tour, please indicate TOTAL length
less than one minute
1-5 minutes
5-10 minutes
10-20 minutes
over 20 minutes
other:
What information was provided in regard to trash in the water, or throwing something over the side of the boat?
Check all that apply
No information was given
Do not throw anything overboard
Some things can go overboard, but not others
A "zero waste policy" was specifically referenced
Trash receptacles were pointed out
A "why" message - information about impacts of debris on the environment and marine life
other:
How would you characterize the information provided by the operator?
Check all that apply
New information, I learned something
Good information, but I already knew it
Common sense information, but good to hear out loud
Okay information, everybody knows this stuff
Incorrect information
I believed the information was made up
Useless information
other:
Will anything you saw or heard today change how you behave within the marine environment in the future?
Check all that apply
Yes
No
Not Sure
other:
At any time were you told that if you engaged in inappropriate behavior, you might be prevented from engaging in further activities during your tour?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Please provide any other comments you would like to share about the briefing or ongoing interpretation you received on your tour:
Boating Activities
Did you load at a boat ramp or pier, that other boats can use in turn?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If you loaded at a ramp or pier, how long did the boat spend at the ramp or pier?
5 minutes or less
5-10 minutes
10-20 minutes
20 minutes or more
Not sure
Did the boat use a mooring ball?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Did the boat use a boat anchor?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Where the boat anchored, the visibility was:
Great - You could see the bottom clearly
OK - You could see some of the bottom
Poor - You could not see the bottom
When the boat used an anchor, which method of deployment did the crew use?
They lowered the anchor from the boat into the sand/rubble area.
A crew member got into the water and guided the anchor into the sand/rubble area
I couldn't see the bottom; the crew lowered the anchor down at the bow
I'm not sure how they put the anchor down
other:
When you entered the water, what type of bottom did you see the anchor was resting in?
Sand
Rubble
Living coral
Not sure- I could not tell or I did not notice what the anchor was in
other:
Was all of the chain of the anchor in the sand/rubble?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Was any of the chain of the anchor touching coral?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Behaviors
Did anyone touch coral on your trip?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If someone touched coral, how was this handled by the guide?
Please check all that apply
There was not a guide in the water with us
The guide did not notice
The guide noticed, but there was no response from the guide
The guide intervened and stopped the behavior while it was occurring
While still in the water, the guide approached the person after the behavior had occurred and told them not to repeat the behavior
Later/out of the water, the guide approached the person and told them not to repeat the behavior
The guide explained why the behavior is harmful
The guide cited company policy
other:
Did anyone handle an animal while on your trip?
Yes
No
Not Sure
What was handled?
Please check all that apply
Octopus
Sea Star
Sea Cucumber
Sea Urchin
Shell (living)
Crab
Nudibranch
Flatworm
Fish
other:
Before entering the water were you briefed that you would be handling some animals, why it was okay, and how to lightly and respectfully touch them?
Yes
No
Not Sure
When animals were handled which of the following practices did you experience?
Only the guide handled the animals
We were allowed to touch the animal while the guide held it
Animals were picked up and handed around to guests
Animals were removed from the water to be seen on the boat or on shore
other:
Did anyone feed fish?
Yes
No
Not Sure
What did they feed them?
Food scraps/leftovers
Commercially available recreational fish food
other:
If someone fed the fish, was there a response by the crew?
There was no response
Crew allowed behavior to occur but told guests that it must not happen again
Crew stopped the behavior and explained a "no fish feeding" policy
Not sure/did not observe
On your trip, did anyone throw anything into the water?
Yes
No
Not Sure
What was thrown in?
Trash
Food scraps
other:
If someone threw something into the water, was there a response by the crew?
Check all that apply
There was no response
Crew retrieved item
Crew explained a "no trash overboard" policy
Not sure/did not observe
other:
Snorkeling and SCUBA/SNUBA Diving
On your trip did you
Snorkel
SCUBA Dive
SNUBA Dive
None of the Above (stayed on shore or boat)
Which of the following topics were included in your briefing?
Please check all that apply
Rules, local regulations, or laws that apply to the area
Examples of bad practices; e.g. touching coral
A description of environmental, biological, and physical features of the site
(Divers only) We were advised on how to properly navigate and dive to limit environmental impact; e.g. if entering caves, to not touch the top
(Divers only) Guides went over the fundamentals of buoyancy control and checked divers once in the water to see if they were over-weighted.
I was told that the health of coral reefs and related coastal environments could not be compromised by any activity, including photography.
other:
In addition to an environmental briefing, were any of the following used?
Please check all that apply
Laminated flip chart with pictures
Bag tag
Environmental pledge
Environmental pledge bookmarks
Reef environmental practices video
other:
Manta Ray Night Dive/Snorkel
Which of the following instructions were included in your Manta Snorkel briefing?
Please check all that apply
Observe only: No touching.
Resist the urge to "pet" the mantas, as this will rub off their protective mucus coating.
Do not chase, grab, or try to take a ride on the mantas.
Snorkeler position: Snorkelers, please stay on the surface.
Do not dive down into the water column where the mantas are feeding.
Shine lights down.
Taking photos or video: When taking underwater photos or video, please be considerate of others. Adhere to these guidelines and let the mantas come to you.
other:
Was there a snorkel guide in the water?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Was a flotation ring/board/ladder used?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Were you instructed to stay over the divers' lights?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Which of the following instructions were included in your Manta Dive briefing?
Please check all that apply
Observe only: No touching.
Resist the urge to "pet" the mantas, as this will rub off their protective mucus coating.
Do not chase, grab, or try to take a ride on the mantas.
Diver position: Divers, please stay on or near the sand, rubble, or boulder bottom.
An open water column is necessary for the mantas to maneuver.
Avoid contact with coral, sea urchins, or other marine life.
Form a semi-circle with your group.
Lights: Divers, please hold your light and shine lights up into the water column to attract plankton.
Bubbles: Divers, please try to time your breathing so that you don't blow bubbles up into the manta if it passes over your head.
We recommend you remove your snorkel from your mask and place it in your BC pocket, as it can easily be snagged by the manta ray and dislodge your mask.
Taking photos or video: When taking underwater photos or video, please be considerate of others. Adhere to these guidelines and let the mantas come to you, aiming your lights up and not across the circle.
other:
During the excursion did you notice anyone sitting on or touching coral?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If someone touched the coral, how was this handled by the guide?
There was not a guide with us in the water
The guide did not notice
The guide noticed, but there was no response from the guide
The guide intervened and stopped the behavior while it was occurring
While still in the water, the guide approached the person after the behavior had occurred and told them not to repeat the behavior
Later/out of the water, the guide approached the person after the behavior had occurred and told them not to repeat the behavior
The guide explained why the behavior is harmful
The guide cited company policy
other:
During the excursion did you notice anyone touching the manta rays?
Yes
No
Not Sure
if someone touched the manta rays, how was this handled by the guide?
There was not a guide with us in the water
The guide did not notice
The guide noticed, but there was no response from the guide
The guide intervened and stopped the behavior while it was occurring
While still in the water, the guide approached the person after the behavior had occurred and told them not to repeat the behavior
Later/out of the water, the guide approached the person after the behavior had occurred and told them not to repeat the behavior
The guide explained why the behavior is harmful
The guide cited company policy
other:
Dolphin Watching
Did you see dolphins on your tour?
Yes
No
On my trip
We viewed dolphins from the boat/kayak
We swam with dolphins in the water
How many times did you stop with the dolphins?
Once
Twice
Three times
More than three times
Approximately how close to the dolphins did the boat get?
They were right next to the boat
The boat didn't get closer than 25 yards (75 feet)
The boat didn't get closer than 50 yards (150 feet)
Approximately how long did you spend with the dolphins each time?
Less than half an hour (30 min) each time
More than half an hour (30 min) each time
It varied - less than and more a half hour with different encounters
other:
Did the boat go in front of the dolphins' path?
Yes
No
Not Sure
How many times did the boat go in front of the dolphins?
Once
Twice
Three times
More than three times
Not Sure
What was included in your briefing prior to swimming with the dolphins?
No direction; we just got in.
Don’t swim; let them come to you.
Don’t swim towards them.
We didn’t have to swim; we were dropped right on the pod.
Don’t swim with your arms; move slowly.
other:
Did the boat ever pick you up and drop you off again with the dolphins further down the coastline?
Yes
No
Not Sure
How many times did the boat pick you up and drop you back off in front of the pod?
Once
Twice
Three times
More than three times
Not
Did boats in the area stay to one side of the dolphin pod?
Yes
No, the boats surrounded the dolphins
Not Sure
Surf School
Which of the following topics were included in your briefing?
There was no briefing; we just went out.
SURF = Safety • Undertow • Rip Tide Current • Fun
Rocks – slickness and urchins
Falling off
No head dives
No feet first
Land flat with as much surface area as possible
Leashes
No standing on the reef at any time
Why not to stand: Corals are alive; standing on or touching corals easily hurts or kills them.
How to paddle
When to get off the board
Never reach the rocks; if you end up on the rocks your day is done.
other:
In addition to an environmental briefing were any of the following used?
Laminated flip chart with pictures
Bag tag
Environmental pledge
Environmental pledge bookmarks
Reef environmental practices video
Did the instructor using a buoy line to keep you in one area while waiting?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Kayaking
Which of the following topics were included in your briefing?
There was no briefing; we just went out.
We were given a safety orientation.
We were instructed in proper paddling techniques
Information was given on how improper techniques not only fail to propel you through the water, but can damage the fragile ecosystem by disrupting the benthic habitat
The guide reviewed and practiced capsizing procedures/kayak re-entry
Stressing to never stand on the bottom where corals live.
Not only can coral cut into one’s feet or damage equipment, but standing on corals can kill these organisms.
I was briefed to stay on the ocean side of guides within shallow waters and to stay close (within easy hearing distance) of the guide at all times.
Guides assessed swimming skills and water knowledge of the group before heading out
Describing the difference between Hawaiian waters and lakes, rivers, etc.
I was told I should wear my PFD at all times for safety; if capsizing were to occur, it could help me avoid coming in contact with the reef.
We discussed entry and exit techniques to avoid all damage to fragile Hawaiian coastal ecosystems.
We were given an environmental review.
We were given information on how to respect landing areas.
other:
In addition to an environmental briefing were any of the following used?
Laminated flip chart with pictures
Bag tag
Environmental pledge
Environmental pledge bookmarks
Reef environmental practices video
other:
Additional Comments & Further Engagement with The Coral Reef Alliance
Please add any additional comments or observations from your trip:
If you are a Hawaii resident and would like to join CORAL's local email list to stay up to date on news, events and opportunities on Maui and in West Hawaii, please check here:
Yes! Please add me to your email list!
If not provided earlier, please tell us your name and email so we can send updates & opportunities in coral reef conservation:
Name:
Email
Thank you so much for taking the time to fill out this survey. Please visit our website to learn more about coral reefs, our work in Hawai'i, and how you can continue to help!
