Whale Watching Worldwide

Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai) ‐ Dolphin Watching
Year Number of
whale
watchers
AAGR Number of
operators
Direct
expenditure
2008 120,000 N/A 15 $5,900,000
Indirect
expenditure
$40,500,000
Total
expenditure
$46,400,000
In the 2001 IFAW worldwide whale watching report, author Erich Hoyt noted the emergence of an industry
based on viewing smaller cetaceans, as whale watch operators looked for year‐round tour options. Dolphin
watching has since grown dramatically, with approximately 15 operators taking 120,000 tourists on
dedicated dolphin tours each year. Most companies are now around 10 years old and the longest running
operator is 14 years. Dolphin watching provides 60 jobs and generates $4.4 million in revenue. In addition,
many other tour operators watch dolphins opportunistically. Around 83 such operators of boating and
kayaking tours take 390,000 patrons and generate around $37 million in revenue.
Dolphin watching in Hawaii often includes swimming or snorkelling with the animals. Some dolphin tourism
operators market themselves as spiritual or holistic retreats that attempt to commune with dolphins as part
of a general focus on alternative religion, spirituality, health and well‐being.
78% of dedicated dolphin watching takes place from Oahu. Operators are located at the Wai'anae small
boat harbor and the Ko'olina Marina. On Hawaii’s main island some dolphin watch operators work from the
Honokōhau small boat harbor, on Maui at the Lahaina Harbor, Mā'alaea Harbor, Kīhei boat ramp, Kā'anapali
Beach, and Māla wharf and ramp. On Kauai, operators are at the Port Allen, Kīkī a Ola, and Kukui'ula small
boat harbours.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Jayne LeFors, Sarah Courbis, Tori Cullins, Christine Brammer, Elizabeth Corbin, Kim Andrews, Karin Forney
and Dan Salden.
References:
Impact Assessment, Inc, ‘Economic Data Report for NOAA Fisheries’ Spinner Dolphin EIS’, March 2007.
Markrich’s, M ‘The Hawaii Boat Industry 2003‐ A Survey and Economic Description’, May 2004.
Utech, D ‘Valuing Hawaii’s Humpback Whales: The Economic Impact of Humpbacks on Hawaii’s Ocean Tour Boat
Industry’ in ‘The Economic Contribution of Whale Watching to Regional Economies: Perspectives From Two National
Marine Sanctuaries’, Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series MSD‐00‐2, July 2000.
218