- A recent study identified the ten most affordable and popular sea-related hobbies by considering estimated annual costs, participants, and Instagram hashtags.
- Fishing tops the list as the most popular and one of the most affordable sea-related hobbies, with 49.2 million Instagram hashtags and a cost of $3000.
- Beachcombing, sea glass hunting, and tide pooling are the three most affordable sea hobbies, each costing an estimated $750.
A recent study by DIPNDIVE examined various sea-related hobbies to determine which are the most popular and affordable. The analysis considered key metrics such as the annual cost of engaging in each hobby twice a week for a year (including expenses for gear, maintenance, rentals, and services), the number of Instagram posts using related hashtags, and the estimated number of participants. These factors were combined to score and rank each hobby. Data for the study was gathered from various sources, including communities, forums, and Instagram.
| Hobby | Estimated Annual Cost | Estimated Participants | Instagram # posts | Final Score |
| Fishing | $3,000 | 49,500,000 | 49,200,000 | 78.6 |
| Ocean Swimming | $1,250 | 28,000,000 | 76,900 | 41.2 |
| Surfing | $3,500 | 2,800,000 | 21,800,000 | 41.0 |
| Snorkeling | $1,250 | 8,700,000 | 5,600,000 | 37.5 |
| Beachcombing | $750 | 10,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 36.1 |
| Kayaking | $3,500 | 13,000,000 | 5,900,000 | 34.1 |
| Tide Pooling | $750 | 4,500,000 | 36,000 | 33.3 |
| Skimboarding | $1,000 | 1,700,000 | 405,000 | 31.9 |
| Sea Glass Hunting | $750 | 500,000 | 190,000 | 31.9 |
Fishing tops the list as the most popular and one of the most affordable sea-related hobbies, scoring 78.6. With an estimated 49.5 million participants, it far surpasses other hobbies in terms of popularity. It also leads in social media presence, having 49.2 million Instagram hashtag posts. Despite the moderate annual cost of around $3,000, fishing remains a go-to activity for many sea enthusiasts.
Ocean Swimming scores 41.2, ranking second in popularity with an estimated 28 million participants. Although it has a relatively low Instagram presence with 76,900 posts, ocean swimming is highly affordable, with an estimated annual cost of $1,250.
Surfing ranks third, with a score of 41. The hobby has a strong social media presence, with 21.8 million Instagram hashtag posts. While it has fewer participants, totaling around 2.8 million, surfing is a high-visibility activity online. Despite its higher annual cost of $3,500, surfing’s popularity keeps it thriving among enthusiasts.
Snorkeling scores 37.5, taking the fourth spot and positioning itself as both affordable and relatively popular. With an estimated 8.7 million participants and an annual cost of $1,250, snorkeling also sees a strong Instagram presence with 5.6 million posts, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy exploring underwater life without requiring extensive equipment or training.
Beachcombing scores 36.1 and holds the fifth position in the list. It is one of the most affordable sea-related hobbies at $750 annually. It enjoys broad appeal, with 10 million estimated participants and 1 million Instagram posts, making it a favorite among those who want a leisurely, low-cost interaction with the coast.
Kayaking is the sixth, scoring 34.1. Despite being one of the more expensive hobbies on the list, with an estimated annual cost of $3,500, kayaking attracts around 13 million participants and a solid Instagram presence with 5.9 million hashtag posts.
Tide Pooling achieves a score of 33.3 and takes seventh place. The hobby stands out with its affordability, tied with beachcombing at $750 annually. While it has fewer participants, an estimated 4.5 million people, and Instagram posts at 36,000, tide pooling offers a unique experience that appeals to those interested in exploring coastal life.
Skimboarding holds the eighth place and scores 31.9. With 1.7 million participants and 405,000 Instagram posts, skimboarding attracts a dedicated following despite its moderate annual cost of $1,000.
Sea Glass Hunting rounds out the ranking, scoring 31.9, making it one of the most affordable hobbies at $750 annually. Although it has a smaller participant base of 500,000 enthusiasts, the hobby stands out with a strong community presence on Instagram, with 190,000 posts.
Paddleboaring rounds off the ranking, with a score of 30.6. Its annual cost estimate is $2,750, making it the third most expensive hobby on the list. Paddleboarding is a popular activity, with 3.7 million participants and 3.3 million posts in Instagram.
A spokesperson from DIPNDIVE commented: “It’s interesting to observe the intersection of affordability and popularity in sea-related hobbies, revealing how certain activities resonate strongly with large communities despite varying costs. It emphasizes the value people place not only on the experience of these hobbies but also on their accessibility and the ability to share them with a broader audience through social media. Our connection to the sea is as much about community and self-expression as it is about the activities themselves.”
