The presence of sea turtles in Hawaiian waters is a year-round occurrence, but the term “turtle season” specifically refers to the annual reproductive period. The most commonly sighted species is the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, known locally as Honu, which is revered in Hawaiian culture. While turtles are always present in the archipelago, their seasonal activities shift dramatically as they concentrate on mating and nesting.
Year-Round Viewing Opportunities
The Honu are herbivores that spend their non-breeding years foraging and resting along the main Hawaiian Islands. Viewing opportunities are common throughout the year, particularly at protected coastal areas. These turtles frequently graze on algae and seagrasses in shallow, near-shore reefs, which is a primary reason for their dependable presence at certain beaches.
Popular viewing locations include Laniakea Beach on Oahu’s North Shore and the area known as Turtle Town in Maui, where the animals often come close to the shore. They follow a daily pattern of activity, often seen feeding in the mornings when the water is calmer, and then hauling themselves onto the sand to bask.
Turtles bask to regulate their body temperature and rest, a behavior that usually takes place from mid-morning through the late afternoon. Snorkelers and divers frequently encounter them along the coral reefs, feeding on their diet of limu (seaweed). The year-round availability is due to the islands serving as their foraging grounds, distinct from their distant nesting sites.
The Reproductive Cycle
The biological “turtle season” is the period when female Honu return to their birth beaches to lay their eggs. This reproductive phase begins in late spring, with mating occurring in the near-shore waters of the main islands before the females migrate. The nesting season itself runs from May through September, with the peak of egg-laying activity occurring in the summer months.
The vast majority of Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle nesting, over 90%, takes place in the remote Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, most notably French Frigate Shoals. A female will lay an average of 75 to 100 eggs per clutch, repeating the process multiple times in a season. The incubation period typically lasts about 60 days, influenced significantly by the temperature of the sand.
Hatching activity peaks in late summer and early fall, as the hatchlings emerge from the nests, usually at night, and make their journey to the ocean. Sand temperature determines the sex of the developing turtles, with warmer nests producing more females and cooler nests yielding more males.
Essential Viewing Distance and Legal Protections
All species of sea turtles in Hawaii, including the Honu, are protected under both state and federal law, most notably the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It is illegal to touch, feed, pursue, or harass a sea turtle, regardless of whether it is in the water or resting on the sand. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is classified as a threatened species.
Federal guidelines advise maintaining a minimum distance of at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the animals at all times. This mandatory separation protects the turtles from stress and disturbance, allowing them to rest and bask without interference. A greater distance is recommended, and often enforced by volunteers, when turtles are basking on the beach or if a nesting site is identified.
Violations of these protection laws can result in severe consequences under both federal and state statutes. Civil penalties for harassment can exceed $50,000, and criminal penalties may include substantial fines and imprisonment. Responsible viewing means respecting the space of these protected animals, using binoculars or a camera zoom for a closer look, and never attempting to interact with them.