Respect the Locals: Sea Turtle Selfies Are Uncool — and Illegal - Honolulu Civil Beat.
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Safety Rules and Regulations For Sea TurtlesThis applies whether the encounter takes place on land or in the water. Make sure to stay at least 10 feet away, and don't feed them, attempt to ride them, or harass them in any way. The most important thing to remember is that you can look, but you can't touch.
But it's common for snorkelers and divers on all the islands to see the honu (green sea turtle) in near shore waters. 96% of Hawai?i's green sea turtles nest in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the largest fully protected conservation area under the U.S. flag.
Stay back 10 feet or 3 meters from Sea turtles. Sea turtles are protected and it is illegal to interfere with them or touch them! It can be a $10,500 fine per person. Then I talk about sea turtle & marine life biology, ecology, behavior,sightings, and natural history until they decide to leave.
Five of the world's seven species of sea turtles make their home in Hawaii's waters, including the green sea turtle (honu), hawksbill (honu'ea), leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley. The green sea turtle is by far the most commonly encountered sea turtle on Hawaiian reefs, followed by the hawksbill.
One of the best times of the year to see Hawaiian green turtles in the wild is in the summer – they love the calmer waters and soaking up the sun, just like most vacationers do. Here, discover the best places to see turtles in Oahu, and how to stay safe and considerate while you're turtle sightseeing.
When you see a turtle coming up the beach, keep your distance, turn off any lights you are using and crouch down low. Do NOT walk closer! Always approach turtles from the side. This gives them a clear view of you and a clear path ahead of them if they want to swim away.
Turtle nesting season in Hawaii is typically mid-April through early October, but can sometimes extend into December. And you're probably wondering when the sea turtles hatch? After about two months in their nests, hatchlings will emerge.
July to October is the peak nesting and hatching period for green sea turtles in locations such as Tortuguero National Park, whereas it's March to October for the hawksbill turtle, which prefers the Caribbean coast and can nest up to four times each season.