Scuba diving is more than an adventure sport. It is a major contributor to a region’s tourism industry. With over 50.7 million dives occurring worldwide each year, the sector generates substantial revenue for coastal communities, dive operators, and tourism-dependent economies. New research suggests that expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) could supercharge this industry, driving an estimated $2.7 billion in additional annual revenue.
Study Reveals Economic Potential of MPAs
A recent peer-reviewed study, published on February 15, highlights the potential of MPAs. Conducted over three years by scientists from National Geographic Pristine Seas and contributors from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the study finds that fully protecting all existing recreational dive sites could boost diving demand by 32%.
Divers are willing to pay nearly double for the experience. While the current global median price per dive is $58.75, the study reveals that divers would pay an additional $53 to explore a fully protected MPA, raising the median to $111.75. This price increase and rising demand could push total revenue from $953 million to approximately $1.81 billion.
Expanding Protected Dive Sites
Currently, 67.35% of dive sites fall within an MPA, yet only 15.48% of all dives occur in highly or fully protected zones, which comes to only 7.7 million dives annually. Upgrading an additional 15% of these sites to full protection zones could generate over $865 million in annual revenue.
Beyond financial benefits, the study also shows the ecological advantages. Fully protecting all unprotected dive sites could increase marine biomass by an average of 113%. Even allocating just 1% of ocean areas used for recreational diving to highly protected MPAs could improve the global biodiversity score by 5%, from 0.54 to 0.57. In contrast, safeguarding the entire ocean would push this score up by 39%, a significant leap in marine conservation.
Possible Locations of Next MPAs
Over half of all recreational dives occur in just eight countries: Egypt, Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Mexico, and Malaysia. If new MPAs were designated, 61% of the increased activity would come from foreign tourists, with East Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean expected to benefit the most.
Efforts to expand MPAs are already underway. PADI’s Adopt the Blue program, sponsored by Blancpain, has adopted 2,562 sites since its 2022 launch, covering over 29 million square miles of ocean. In 2025, PADI aims to establish an MPA in Rainbow Reef in Fiji and extend protection zones in Barbados.
Who Benefits From Dive Tourism?
While dive tourism drives local economies, the study raises concerns about financial distribution. Foreign-owned dive operations dominate many destinations, meaning a significant portion of revenue does not reach local communities.
Some governments and park authorities have implemented marine park entrance fees to address this. For instance, Indonesia’s Raja Ampat requires an entrance fee of IDR 700,000, while Bonaire National Marine Park imposes a $40 annual nature fee.
Balancing Conservation and Livelihoods
Fully protecting dive sites presents an economic and environmental opportunity but challenges local communities reliant on fishing. An outright ban on fishing could cut off vital income sources, making sustainable tourism alternatives crucial.
One example of a balanced approach is the Changuu-Bawe Marine Conservation Area in Zanzibar, established in February 2025. Partnering with the Zanzibar government, Bawe Island by The Cocoon Collection has supported local fishermen by building housing, providing a private boat dock, and purchasing their catch.
Founder Atillio Azolla emphasizes that while only a tiny portion of Bawe’s seafood demand is met through local fishermen, it is “a good starting point” for a sustainable economic transition.
Future of Dive Tourism and Marine Conservation
Expanding MPAs presents a complex challenge for governments to ensure local communities benefit from increased dive tourism. Striking the right balance depends on the future of the scuba diving industry, marine biodiversity, and the financial stability of coastal communities. With strategic planning and policies, fully protected MPAs could unlock billions in economic gains while safeguarding the world’s oceans for generations.
