Understanding the behavior of marine animals and being able to identify different species will help to ensure you are able to navigate safely for your protection and theirs. Before you enter their ocean home, spend some time getting to know some of the most commonly seen species!
You should know what to have on hand and what you should do if you see a whale!
By taking the See A Spout? Watch Out! Spout Spotter Course, you can easily learn how to spot whales while on the water and understand the laws and guidelines of watching whales!
Local Applicable Laws/Guidelines
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.
Even with the best intentions, the operation of a vessel around whales has the potential to harass marine mammals by interrupting feeding, social, or traveling behavior.
To minimize the risk of disturbance, guidelines were created for vessels engaged in whale watching. Even if you are not actively watching whales, following whale watching guidelines can help you safely navigate around whales.
Viewing guidelines and laws vary by region, state, and species. Please be familiar with the applicable rules before you visit coastal waters. Visit our region specific pages for more (East Coast, West Coast, Hawaii)
Weather and other conditions may impact your ability to see whales and other wildlife. Even a clear, sunny day can create a blind spot in the form of a glare. Be aware of the limitations on your visibility and prepare appropriately. It helps to bring a hat, sunglasses, and binoculars.
Know Your Whale Species
Knowing how to identify different whale species and their behavior is important for boater safety. For example, humpback whales can be unpredictable when they’re feeding or socializing, knowing how to identify the species and their behavior can help you determine the best plan for your vessel.
Know Your Blows
Before You Leave the House
Check
- The Weather Forecast: Checking your regular weather forecast for the day, changes can happen overnight.
- The Marine Forecast: Check your local marine forecast to get an idea of wind and wave action. This can impact the comfort and safety of your trip, as well as ability to spot whales and other hazards.
- USCG Local Notice to Mariners: For other local notices affecting mariners.
Pack
- Binoculars: Allow you to get a good look at whales while watching them from a responsible distance
- Polarized Sunglasses: Cuts the sun’s glare, and can play a role in your ability to see whales!
- Field Guide: Can help you identify the species you are seeing!
Prepare
- Download Whale Alert App: A citizen science app where whale sightings are used to prevent vessel strikes.
- Save NOAA Hotline Phone Number:
- Maine through Virginia:
866-755-6622 - West Coast: 866-767-6114
- Hawai’i: 888-256-9840
- Other Regions check here
- Maine through Virginia:
- Familiarize yourself with wildlife viewing regulations and guidelines in your area
While On the Water: Report Injured, Dead, or Entangled Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles
What Should I Report?
Call the NOAA hotline or radio the US Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 to report injured, dead, or entangled marine mammals and sea turtles and all right whale sightings.
In the Northeast (Maine-Virginia) call NOAA’s hotline at 1-866-755-6622. Go here to find information for other regions.
Report Sightings Of The Following:
Entangled Animals
Whales and sea turtles that become entangled in fishing gear are at risk of severe injury and even death if they are unable to free themselves. There are permitted teams of researchers to carry out the highly dangerous task of attempted to free an animal from entanglement.
NOTE: You should NEVER attempt to remove any gear yourself due to risk of injury to both human and whale/sea turtle. Entangled whales are known to thrash violently when they are in distress.
Entangled/Vessel Struck Animals
At least 1 in 10 humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine alone have scars from a collision with a vessel, however these collisions are hardly ever reported. These strikes can have both short- and long-term impacts, ranging from blood loss and broken bones to chronic infections and even death. This is a threat to all whale species, and it is important for researchers to know when a strike has happened so that they can monitor the affected individual. Often a whale will have fresh injuries and scars from the spinning propeller of a vessel.
Dead Animals
Being able to account for any dead animals will help make sure their population estimates are as accurate as possible. For endangered species, every individual matters! Depending on the condition, researchers may also want to do a necropsy (animal autopsy) to determine the cause of death and collect other samples. If you see a dead animal, make sure you report the sighting.
ALL Right Whale Sightings
North Atlantic right whales are a critically endangered species. Each sighting gets added to a national database to better track their movements and allow researchers to advise on better protection measures. Even if a right whale appears healthy and perfectly fine, we still want to know about it!
NOTE: It is illegal to approach a right whale within 500 yards (1,500ft)
Take a Deeper Dive into What is Important To Keep In Mind in Your Region
East Coast
Learn more about East Coast responsible whale watching
East Coast Field Guide
West Coast
Learn more about West Coast responsible whale watching
West Coast Field Guide
Hawai’i
Learn more about Hawai’i responsible whale watching
Hawai’i Field Guide