SEOUL -- A recent comparative survey on scuba diving perception conducted by Manta Dive reveals that although Korean consumers have relatively low experience rates, they display higher curiosity and openness toward scuba diving than their Japanese counterparts. In particular, the proportion of respondents who stated they were “interested but have never tried” stood out, indicating strong potential for future market growth in Korea.

Insights from Korean Consumers: Strong Latent Demand Despite Low Experience Rates

Only 14.8% of Korean respondents reported having taken a scuba diving course, reflecting low participation overall. However, a substantial 26.6% expressed that they were “interested but have never tried,” suggesting a wide pool of first-time potential participants. While 49.2% responded with “not interested,” the size of the interest group remains significant. This aligns with a broader trend among people in their 20s and 30s, who continue to show rising interest in nature-based and marine activities.

Among Koreans who showed interest in scuba diving, the most common motivation was “to experience marine life and underwater environments” at 33.6%. This was followed by “seeking adventure or thrills” (23.6%), “learning new skills or hobbies” (21.8%), and “sharing the experience with friends or family” (21.0%). At the same time, 34.2% indicated they had “no intention to take lessons,” suggesting the importance of lowering entry barriers through introductory programs and beginner-friendly content to broaden participation.

Korea: A Highly Open Market, While Japan Remains a Motivation-Driven Niche Segment

Several indicators highlight clear differences between Korea and Japan. In Korea, 26.6% of respondents selected “interested but never tried,” about 9 percentage points higher than Japan’s 18.0%, positioning Korea as a market with strong conversion potential for new divers. In contrast, the share of respondents “not interested” was lower in Korea (49.2%) than in Japan (57.5%), reflecting greater openness among Korean consumers.

Willingness to take scuba diving courses overseas was also markedly higher in Korea at 17.0%, more than four times Japan’s 4.0%. Korean respondents showed greater flexibility regarding training location as well, with 23.4% answering “either is fine,” compared to Japan’s 11.1%. Moreover, Korea recorded a much smaller proportion of respondents with “no intention to take lessons,” more than 15 percentage points lower than Japan, indicating a significantly higher likelihood of future participation if suitable opportunities or content are provided.

Korean consumers also showed strong enthusiasm for overseas marine experiences. Indonesia’s Gili Trawangan diving school, known as a popular starting point for beginners joining local diving schools, remains a well-recognized destination among Korean travelers. Additionally, high-traffic travel routes such as Bali to Lombok continue to attract visitors, and resources such as ferry ticket information play a practical role in shaping travel plans. Increased accessibility to international diving infrastructure is expected to further accelerate scuba diving participation among Koreans.

Korea Shows Strong Conversion Potential and Clear Growth Capacity

Overall, Korea demonstrates a unique combination of low experience rates, large curiosity-driven latent demand, higher willingness for overseas training, and a smaller uninterested segment compared to Japan. These characteristics position Korea as the market with the strongest potential for conversion into active scuba diving participation. Conversely, while Japanese respondents show strong motivation among those already interested, the large size of the disinterested segment suggests limitations in broadening the market. This study highlights a strategic opportunity for the domestic scuba diving industry to effectively target Korea’s sizable beginner-level demand and expand overall participation.