9 Shocking Monk Seal Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Hawaiian Vacation

I’ve lived on Oahu for 25 years and spent countless mornings watching Hawaiian monk seals haul onto beaches like they own the place – because they do. Last summer, I saw a tourist reach out to pet a sleeping seal while their friend filmed it for Instagram. My stomach dropped. These endangered animals aren’t props.

Why You Should Care
Hawaiian monk seals aren’t just cute faces. With only 1,600 left, every interaction matters. I’ve seen seals relocated, hooked by fishing lines, and even euthanized due to human carelessness. But here’s the good news: You can help. Below are the nine biggest mistakes tourists make—and exactly how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Touching a Monk Seal Isn’t Just Dangerous – It’s Illegal

A few years back, a Louisiana tourist posted a TikTok of herself stroking a monk seal on Kauai. The video went viral—and so did her $1,500 fine. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, touching a seal can land you five years in prison or a $50,000 fine. And trust me, NOAA will track you down. They identified an Alabama man in 2017 through his Instagram posts harassing a seal.

Why it happens: Seals look docile napping on beaches. But they’re wild animals. One snap of their jaws can break bones. A volunteer once told me, “People think they’re like zoo seals. They’re not. They’re apex predators.”

Pro tip: Use the “rule of thumb.” Extend your arm, make a thumbs-up, and if your thumb covers the entire seal, you’re far enough.

Mistake 2: Getting Too Close for That Perfect Selfie

In 2021, a honeymooning couple filmed a seal snapping at the woman after she crept within inches of it. The video sparked outrage—and a NOAA investigation. But I’ve seen this dozens of times. Tourists inch closer, cameras out, ignoring the 50-foot legal distance.

What locals know: Monk seals rest onshore to digest food and conserve energy. Disturbing them forces them back into the ocean, wasting precious calories. On Maui, a seal nicknamed “Rocky” became aggressive after years of selfie-seekers crowding her. She now lunges at anyone within 20 feet.

Pro tip: Zoom lenses exist for a reason. If the seal lifts its head or shifts position, you’re too close.

Mistake 3: Feeding Them (Yes, Even Your Snack)

Last year, a group tossed chips to a seal pup near Waikiki. A lifeguard sprinted over, shouting, “You’re killing it!” Seals can’t eat human food. Their stomachs rupture, or they associate people with meals—leading to dangerous behavior.

Case study: In 2018, a seal in Kona started chasing kayaks after tourists fed it fish scraps. NOAA had to relocate it to a remote beach. “Once they lose their fear of humans, they’re at risk,” a biologist told me.

Pro tip: Store food in sealed containers. If fishing, throw scraps into deep water—never near seals.

Mistake 4: Flash Photography Startles Them

I watched a photographer set up lights for a “dramatic” seal shoot at sunset. The seal bolted into the waves, abandoning its pup. Flash photography disrupts their rest and disorients pups learning to navigate.

Science says: Monk seals have sensitive eyes adapted to low-light ocean depths. Sudden flashes can temporarily blind them. On the Big Island, volunteers now carry signs: “No flash—let them sleep.”

Pro tip: Shoot in natural light. If you must use flash, stay 150 feet away.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Posted Signs and Volunteers

“But the seal looked lonely!” a tourist argued after ducking a barrier on Oahu’s North Shore. Volunteers spend hours educating visitors, yet some still hop fences for photos. In 2023, a toddler wandered into a protected pupping area, spooking a mother seal. The pup nearly drowned fleeing into rough surf.

Local insight: Those signs aren’t suggestions. Fines start at $500. Respect the orange cones and folks in “Seal Volunteer” shirts—they’re your allies.

Pro tip: If a seal is alone, it’s supposed to be. Walk away.

Mistake 6: Letting Kids (or Dogs) Run Wild

A monk seal’s bite force is 1,200 PSI—strong enough to crush a coconut. Yet I’ve seen parents let toddlers chase seals across beaches. In 2020, a dog off-leash attacked a pup on Kauai. The pup survived, but with permanent scars.

Hard truth: Seals aren’t Disney characters. They’re 400-pound carnivores. Teach kids to admire from afar.

Pro tip: Keep dogs leashed. Even playful barking stresses seals.

Mistake 7: Leaving Trash on the Beach

Six-pack rings, fishing lines, plastic bags—seals mistake these for food. In 2022, a seal pup died on Molokai with its stomach full of microplastics. I’ve helped clean beaches where tourists left soda cans inches from napping seals.

Pro tip: Pack a trash bag. If you see debris near a seal, notify a volunteer.

Mistake 8: Swimming Near Them in the Ocean

“It followed us!” a snorkeler gasped after a seal circled their group. But seals choose to approach. In Maui, a seal named “Benny” bites fins to steal fish from spearfishers. NOAA tags aggressive seals, but it’s better to avoid the risk.

What to do: Back away slowly. Don’t turn your back—seals are faster swimmers.

Mistake 9: Not Reporting Harassment

In 2019, I saw a man throw rocks at a seal while his friends laughed. I called NOAA’s hotline (1-888-256-9840), and officers arrived in 20 minutes. You might be the only witness.

Pro tip: Snap photos discreetly. Note license plates or boat names.

Final Thought

Hawaii’s monk seals survived volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Human ignorance is their biggest threat. Share this article. Talk to your snorkel tour guide. Be the tourist who doesn’t make the mistakes. Together, we can keep these ancient creatures swimming—and snoozing—for generations.

Ever seen a seal yawn? It’s magical. Let’s keep them safe so your kids can see it too. 🦭