The contingent valuation method was used to estimate the economic value of sport diving around the many petroleum structures located off Louisianaˈs coast. The average diver derived economic surplus in the amount of $163 (95% confidence interval, $136‐$190) annually from this activity. Variation of the mean bid was not statistically affected by interview techniques, purpose of trips, years of diving experience, distance traveled over land and sea, investment in equipment, or average trip costs. The number of trips was the only variable that had a significant effect on the mean bid; however, the number of diving trips depended on income, overland distance to port, and trip cost. The trip cost variable, though significant, was positively signed. A finding of a significant positive relationship between trip cost and number of trips indicates the merit of using the direct estimation technique of contingent valuation. Received June 13, 1983 Accepted November 12, 1984