Can you touch dolphins in Hawaii?

No. Touching marine life and coral is illegal by Hawaii state law. Contact with human skin can make dolphins and sea turtles more susceptible to disease and cause them stress. But the animals often come close by our guests, and simply being in their presence is incredible.



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Swimming with Hawaiian spinner dolphins from shore is illegal. Locals can feel strongly about those doing so from public beaches. Some Native Hawaiian have reacted aggressively to beachgoers wanting to swim with free dolphins. “The ocean is not our home. . . we are guests and should act accordingly.”

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If a dolphin approaches you while you are swimming, do not reach out and try to touch him. These dolphins are wild animals and rarely tolerate physical contact from humans. Trying to touch or grab a dolphin is illegal and is virtually guaranteed to scare them away.

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Although dolphins may seem curious, many of their behaviors are often misinterpreted as “friendly” when they actually are, in fact, signs of disturbance or aggression. If a dolphin approaches you in the water, do not engage, pursue, or otherwise interact with the dolphin, and take immediate steps to move away.

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