Wildlife· Oahu· Hawaii
Makua Beach Spinner Dolphins
21° 31.9′ N · 158° 13.8′ W · approximate
Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest by day in calm, clear, sandy-bottomed bays along Oahu's leeward coast, and the Waianae coast from Pokai Bay to Makua and Keawaula is where cruisers most often meet them.
Practical
Approx position of Makua Beach from OpenStreetMap. NOAA: spinner dolphins rest, socialize and care for young in shallow bays by day and feed offshore at night; the federal rule (final rule published September 28, 2021) prohibits swimming with, approaching or remaining within 50 yards of a spinner dolphin, by person, vessel or object, including leapfrogging to intercept them, within 2 nm of the main Hawaiian Islands. Noodle's Notes reports waking in Pokai Bay surrounded by hundreds of spinners; GoHawaii mentions dolphins near Yokohama (Keawaula) Beach. Shut down or idle away if a pod approaches; never chase. Report violations to NOAA Enforcement (800) 853-1964.
Best for
Watching spinner dolphins legally from a distance
Nearby
- Makua Bay Anchorage (day stop)0.2 NM away
- Yokohama Bay (Keawaula Beach)1.3 NM away
- Kaena Point Trail (Mokuleia Side)2.9 NM away
- Star Caves (Keaau)2.9 NM away
- Makaha Beach Park3.3 NM away
- Makaha Caverns3.4 NM away
- Mokuleia and Dillingham North Shore Coast3.7 NM away
- Kaena Point State Park and Natural Area Reserve3.9 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).