Best Spots for Sea Turtles in Hawaii
Best Spots for Sea Turtles in Hawaii
Before we give you ideas of spots where to locate Green Sea Turtles in hawaii, we want to make sure you know what to do and what NOT to do when you see a turtle in the water or on a beach in Hawaii. If you’re visiting Hawaiʻi and hoping to spot sea turtles (like the iconic green honu or endangered hawksbill), here’s what you need to know:
🐢 Key Rules for Tourist Interactions
1. Keep Your Distance – At Least 10 Feet (3 m)
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Both NOAA and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources strongly recommend staying 10 feet (3 meters) away—whether the turtle is in water or on land (dlnr.hawaii.gov).
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In boating or watercraft scenarios, maintain at least 50 yards (≈ 45 m) from turtles to prevent disturbance (fisheries.noaa.gov).
2. Never Touch, Feed, Chase, or Disturb
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Absolutely no touching, riding, feeding, blocking, or harassing. Any such action can stress the animal, interfere with natural behavior, or even be illegal under the Endangered Species Act and state laws (HAR 13-124, HRS 195D) (dlnr.hawaii.gov).
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Brief viewing only: limit your time to a few minutes to let turtles rest or forage undisturbed (fisheries.noaa.gov).
3. Keep Relevance in Context
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On beaches like Laniākea or Punaluu: maintain at least 6–10 ft away (turtleplea.org).
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Underwater: don’t pursue turtles, chase around them, or circle them with kayaks/snorkelers (fisheries.noaa.gov).
4. If You See Misconduct or Injured Wildlife, Report It
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Sick, hooked, entangled, injured, or stranded turtles: call the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 1‑888‑256‑9840 immediately (dlnr.hawaii.gov).
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To report disturbance or illegal activity: contact NOAA’s enforcement at 1‑800‑853‑1964, or DLNR’s DOCARE at 808‑643‑3567 (dlnr.hawaii.gov).
5. Legal Consequences
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All sea turtles in Hawaiʻi are federally and state protected; harassment or intentional disturbances can lead to significant fines or jail time (dlnr.hawaii.gov).
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Even if touching isn’t automatically illegal, any action altering the turtle’s behavior can trigger penalties (nypost.com).
Why These Rules Matter
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Sea turtles are sensitive to human presence—feeding, touching, or crowding them can hinder nesting, foraging, or resting (makenasurf.org).
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Safe viewing practices help turtles stay at popular spots like Laniākea, aiding in conservation efforts (fisheries.noaa.gov).
In Summary:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Stay ≥10 ft away (land/water); ≥50 yds if boating | Don’t touch, feed, chase, block, or harass |
| Use binoculars or phone zoom; limit viewing time | Don’t circle or crowd them; don’t linger too long |
| Report injured turtles or violations | Don’t assume touching is harmless—the law is strict |
| Respect beach signs and volunteer guidance | — |
🌴 Cultural Reminder
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Turtles (honu) hold deep significance in Hawaiian culture—touching or disrupting them offends both local customs and the law. Many issues stem from ignorance, such as the recent incident involving actress China Anne McClain, who touched a resting turtle and later apologized after a public reminder to “educate yourself” (dlnr.hawaii.gov, sustainabletourismhawaii.org, nypost.com, people.com).
Final Takeaway
Enjoy these magical animals from a respectful distance—observe quietly, capture your memories with care, and let them live without disturbance. Mahalo for being ʻāina-conscious! 🌿
Where can you see turtles in Hawaii?
Sea turtles are one of the most ancient and mesmerizing creatures alive today. Their graceful movements resemble flying as their flippers glide through the water. Most people consider themselves lucky to snag an encounter with these oceanic reptiles. If that’s you, then it’s time to check out the best spots for sea turtles in Hawaii. Whether on the beach or among the coral, you’ll never forget your encounter with these endangered primeval swimmers.
Sea Turtles on the Big Island of Hawaii
Check out ample sea turtle activity along the west coast of the Big Island, including so-called A-Bay (Anaeho’omalu Bay) where turtles can be seen basking in the hottest part of the day. Keep your eyes open, as turtles like to nestle into the sand and can be harder to see as the sun begins to set. It’s important to keep your distance as sea turtles are a protected species under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Spotting Sea Turtles on Maui
Maluaka Beach is one of the best spots for sea turtles in Hawaii. Green sea turtles swim along the shore in shallow water that can be accessed by walking into the calm, blue sea. There’s a reason this stretch of beach is known as Turtle Town!
If you are looking to snorkel with turtles, grab your gear and head out to Black Rock Beach near Lahaina. The turtles are at ease with swimmers and cliff divers, but keep an eye out for the ocean current. You’ll see turtles of all ages seeking food and playing in the water.
Oahu: Spot the Honu
“Honu” is the term Hawaiians use to talk about the Hawaiian green sea turtle. Drawings of this old symbol appear on local petroglyphs and connect residents to the sea, bringing good luck and connection. Honu are special animals that you won’t want to miss during your vacation.
If you’d like to find this connection to the honu, check out the best spot for sea turtles in Hawaii on Oahu: Laniakea Beach. Your optimal visit time is between 11 am and 1 pm to get a prime viewing opportunity of these turtles sunning themselves on the sand.
Bring your camera and keep your distance to protect the honu and ensure they thrive for a long time. Some turtles live over 100 years!
Kauai: Family Friendly Turtle Times
Sea turtles can be seen by even the littlest adventurers at Poipu Beach on Kauai’s south shore. Take the kiddos to Brennecke’s Beach and you’re very likely to spot a turtle either on the beach or in the shallow water. This beach provides a children’s swim area as well as boogie boarding and more.
If you walk or wade into the water, be sure you are using environmentally friendly sunscreen to protect the wildlife.
No matter which island you visit, there are great spots for sea turtles in Hawaii.