Know Before You Go in Hawaiʻi

Responsible Boating around Humpback Whales

Your actions on the water help keep you, your family and friends, your boat, and whales safe.

ALL marine mammals are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Some threatened and endangered marine mammal species are also protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Both of these Acts prohibit the harassment of whales, which is any action that has the potential to injure whales or disturb their natural behaviors.

Every person on the water has a kuleana, or responsibility, to make mindful choices to avoid disturbing whales.

Laws

Approach Regulation for Humpback Whales: Federal law prohibits approach within 100 yards in Hawai’i, including by boat, kayak, drone, when swimming, or by any other vessel or means.

Approach Regulation for Dolphins: Federal law prohibits swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards of spinner dolphins in Hawai‘i.

Guidelines & Best Practices

Approach guidelines for Humpback Whales: Maintain a cruising speed of 15 knots or less in Hawaiian waters shallower than 600 feet from November through May, when humpback whales are present to mate and give birth. Slow to 6 knots as you get closer (within 400 yards) of a whale.

Viewing other marine widlife in Hawaii: NOAA Fisheries recommends a viewing distance of at least 10 feet (3 meters) away—on land and in water for sea turtles. For monk seals, viewing distance should be at least 50 feet (15 meters) away—on land and in water. Learn more here.

Keep a Look Out For Whales

Whale season in Hawaiʻi is an incredible time to be on the water, with opportunities to witness breathtaking breaches and the dynamic competition of male koholā vying for a mate. Stay alert at all times and keep a careful watch for whales and other potential hazards. Pay close attention to a whale’s direction of travel, remembering that it can change suddenly.

Below are a few behaviors you might observe.

**Breaches!** Humpback whales are known for their acrobatic ability to launch their whole bodies out of the water with an amazing splash. *(Credit: Grosskruetz/NOAA Permit 15240)*

**Flukes!** You may see the photogenic fluke, or tail, of a whale as they dive down. *(Credit: M. Harvey/NOAA Permit 24359)*

**Pectoral fin slaps!** Whales often lie on their side and slap their 15-ft pectoral fins on the surface of the water, likely as a courting behavior. *(Credit: Lyman/ NOAA Permit 15240)*

A Sanctuary for Koholā

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects 1,370 square miles of critical habitat where koholā (humpback whales) travel each year from Alaska to Hawaiʻi to mate, give birth, and nurse their young. More than 10,000 whales visit these warm, shallow waters between November and April, filling the sanctuary with their songs during courtship. On their journey to Hawaiʻi, they face threats such as entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris, vessel strikes, and changing ocean conditions. The sanctuary participates in entanglement response and other research efforts to help protect this distinct population segment. In Hawaiian tradition, koholā are linked to the deity Kanaloa and are sometimes regarded as ʻaumakua, ancestral guardians that watch over and guide families, reflecting a deep cultural and spiritual connection between people and whales.

Reporting

To Report Injured, Sick, Dead or Entangled Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles in Hawai’i, call the statewide NOAA marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840.
Other regions click here for hotline information.
NOTE: Sightings may always be reported to the US Coast Guard via VHF Ch. 16.