Assessing experiences in diving recreation and their relation to proenvironmental behaviour and attitude: a study of divers in South African kelp forests

Recreational activities in marine environments have many benefits, such as physical and mental well-being, contact with nature and nature connectedness. These benefits can translate into other positive outcomes, including pro-environmental behaviour and attitude and ocean stewardship. Cold-water recreation including diving (scuba and free diving) is increasingly popular, yet its phenomenology is understudied. The available research, however, shows that there is great potential for cold-water diving to contribute to those benefits that can result in a “marine mindset”. This qualitative study aimed to add to the body of knowledge regarding cold-water recreation, by investigating through a blanket assessment the motivations and experiences of independent divers in the kelp forests of Cape Town, South Africa, and their putative influence on pro-environmental attitude and behaviour. One hundred divers were interviewed telephonically in 2020 and 2021, and data were extracted and analysed using both thematic and statistical analysis. Divers were motivated by experiences including hedonism, sensorial; spirituality, reverence and gratitude; learning; connection with nature; well-being; challenge; escapism; flow; and socialisation and communitas. Specific motivations and experiences resulted in pro-environmental behaviours and attitudes. The results of this study confirmed the value of kelp diving as an activity with numerous benefits to people and marine environments and were used to delineate recommendations for marketing and management that can foster the growth of cold-water diving as a sustainable form of marine-based recreation.