Episode 196: In the Presence of Manta Rays with Martina Wing

“Being in the presence of a manta ray, I think that is what I experienced back then. Awe and wonder.”

— Martina Wing

This week on Inspire Campfire, Scott welcomes Martina Wing, founder of Manta Ray Advocates in Kona, Hawaii. Originally from Germany, Martina came to Hawaii during a difficult season of grief after losing her first husband to leukemia. What began as a trip for healing became the start of an entirely new life, shaped by the ocean, manta rays, and one unforgettable night dive.

During that dive, Martina encountered manta rays for the first time and experienced something she could not fully explain at the time: awe, wonder, and a sense that life still had more ahead. That moment eventually led her to move to Hawaii, marry the man who filmed her first manta ray experience, and build a purpose-driven business centered on education, conservation, and responsible manta ray encounters.

In this conversation, Martina shares how Manta Ray Advocates creates small-group, ethical night snorkeling experiences, why manta rays are often misunderstood, and how years of close observation have helped her build a deep knowledge of individual animals. She also opens up about grief, purpose, entrepreneurship, her viral dolphin rescue video, and the quiet power of being in the presence of the natural world.

Scott and Martina also discuss: