For travelers who want to leave
Hawaiʻi better than they found it

If You See a Honu (Sea Turtle)

First of all — congratulations. You just met one of Hawaiʻi's most beloved residents. Your mission is simple: admire, smile, and take a photo from a distance.

What not to do:

• Touch them
• Chase them
• Sit next to them
• Block their path to the water

If a turtle is resting on the beach, let them enjoy their beach day too.

Monk Seals Need Personal Space

If you spot a Hawaiian monk seal, you have found something truly special. They are one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth. The best way to show love is to give them space.

Think of it this way — aloha from over here, not a selfie together. These animals are federally protected and approaching them is illegal. Admire from a respectful distance and let them rest.

Coral Is Alive

This surprises a lot of people. That reef beneath you is not a rock — it is a living ecosystem. One step can damage coral that took years or even decades to grow.

When snorkeling or swimming near a reef:

• Float above it — never stand on it
• Keep your fins away from the coral
• Never break off pieces as souvenirs
• Choose reef-safe sunscreen before entering the water

The Ocean Is Beautiful — and Deserves Respect

Hawaiian waters can be calm one moment and powerful the next. Locals often say: never turn your back on the ocean. And they mean it.

Before jumping in:

• Check current conditions at the beach
• Ask locals or lifeguards if conditions are safe
• Know your limits — the ocean is not something to conquer
• Always swim with a buddy

Not Every Beautiful Place Needs a Geotag

Some of Hawaiʻi's most magical places stay magical because they are cared for by the people who know and love them. If someone shares a special spot with you, treat it kindly, pick up your trash, and leave it better than you found it.

Sometimes the best souvenir is simply the memory.

Sacred Places Are Still Sacred

Throughout Hawaiʻi you will find places that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance — heiau (temples), burial sites, and ceremonial grounds. If you visit:

• Be present and quiet
• Keep noise low
• Do not climb on or disturb any structures
• Imagine you are being welcomed into someone's home — because in many ways, you are

Want to Support Hawaiʻi? Support Local.

Here is the best kept secret of responsible travel:

• Eat at family-owned restaurants
• Shop from local artists and makers
• Book experiences with locally owned operators
• Visit farmers markets and buy direct from growers

Every dollar spent locally helps support real people, real families, and real communities. That is exactly why Blue Planet Ecotours exists.

A Few Friendly Reminders

Please do not:

• Touch wildlife of any kind
• Take lava rocks home — it is bad luck and bad manners
• Walk on or touch coral reefs
• Feed wildlife
• Leave trash behind — pack it out
• Trespass onto private property for photos

The islands give us so much. The least we can do is care for them in return.