Humpback Whales and Sea Turtles

Humpback Whales

Operating Near Humpback Whales is using an ocean area where there are humpback whales.

• All ocean users, including vessel operators, personal watercraft (PWC) operators, kayakers, paddlers, windsurfers, swimmers, divers, etc., must:
  • Not chase, approach closely, surround, swim with, or attempt to touch humpback whales.
  • Stay at least 100 yards away from humpback whales.
• Vessel operators, including PWC operators, also should:
  • Stay at least 300 yards from a whale that is in a designated cow/calf area.
  • Approach humpback whales slowly and carefully beside and parallel to them while staying at least 100 yards away when operating in other state waters.
  • Have an observer on board, in addition to the operator, from November through May to watch for whales.
  • Travel at a slow, safe speed in areas where whales may be located.
  • Be prepared to take action immediately to avoid a whale in their path.
    • If a whale approaches your vessel, stop immediately and put the engine in neutral until the whale passes.
    • Go around whales from behind while staying at least 100 yards away.
  • Not chase a whale, approach a whale head-on, cut a whale off from deep water, cross in front of a whale, surround a whale, come between a mother and her calf, or leapfrog or overtake a whale.
  • Keep the time spent viewing the whales to less than 30 minutes.
  • Make sure the whales have a clear escape route.
  • Leave the area cautiously if a whale becomes upset.
  • Make sure no one on the vessel feeds the whales or touches a calf.

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are protected by federal and state laws.

• Vessel operators are not required to stay a specific distance away from sea turtles. However, the Hawaii DLNR recommends that vessels stay at least 150 feet away from the turtles, if possible. Operators may be guilty of a federal or state violation if they get close enough to sea turtles such that the turtles or their natural behavior patterns are disturbed.
• You must not feed, touch, or attempt to ride sea turtles.
• Many of the rules and guidelines for operating near humpback whales apply to sea turtles also. For more information, visit the NOAA website.