Decide
Put the steps in order: Meeting cetaceans at sea.
Tap the step that comes first, then the next one.
The lesson in plain words
- Why rules exist
- Cetaceans are whales, dolphins and porpoises.
- A boat that comes too close or too fast can stop them feeding, resting or nursing, split a mother from her calf, or hit them.
- Most countries protect them by law.
- Check local law and guidance before approaching.
- Keep a safe distance and follow the applicable close-encounter rules.
- Spain
- Spain’s Royal Decree 1727/2007 sets a protection space of 500 m round cetaceans.
- Inside it, keep a steady speed of 4 knots or less, no faster than the slowest animal.
- The restricted zone, 60–300 m, allows two boats at most, and none for an isolated adult–calf pair.
- Never enter the exclusion zone inside 60 m.
- If animals come within 60 m, go to neutral.
- Keep the propeller stopped until they leave the exclusion zone.
- ACCOBAMS
- ACCOBAMS is the agreement that protects cetaceans in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the nearby Atlantic.
- Its viewing guidance is advice, distinct from national law: do not deliberately approach closer than 100 m, and within 300 m keep a steady course at 5 knots or less, never faster than the slowest animal.
- Only one boat at a time should watch a group.
- National law, such as Spain’s, can be stricter.
- United States
- The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advises at least 100 yards (about 90 m) from large whales and 50 yards from dolphins, porpoises and seals.
- Federal law sets 500 yards from North Atlantic right whales anywhere in US waters.
- In Washington State waters, all boats, kayaks included, must stay 1,000 yards from Southern Resident killer whales since 1 January 2025.
- How to approach and leave
- Come in slowly from the side and slightly behind, on a course converging at about 30° with theirs.
- Never approach head-on or from straight behind, never chase, circle or cut through a group, and do not swim with them.
- Possible signs of disturbance include sudden changes of direction or speed, long dives, or tail slaps.
- If you see them, leave slowly the way you came.
Step by step
Meeting cetaceans at sea
- Before approaching, identify the applicable local rules and species-specific distances. Requirements vary by location and species; check before closing.
- Slow down early. In Spain’s 500 m protection space, stay at 4 knots or less and no faster than the slowest animal. Speed increases noise, stress and collision risk.
- Keep outside required exclusion distances and follow greater recommended distances. Where both apply, use Spain’s 4-knot limit and ACCOBAMS’ 100 m guidance. Spain bans entry within 60 m; ACCOBAMS recommends at least 100 m. Guidance and law have different status.
- In Spain, if animals come within 60 m, go to neutral and keep the propeller stopped until they leave the exclusion zone. A turning propeller can injure an animal near the stern. Follow local rules elsewhere; orca interactions have their own advice.
- Watch for a limited time, then leave slowly the way you came. Long or crowded watching disturbs feeding and resting.
Key points
- Slow down and approach from the side and slightly behind; never head-on.
- Spain: within 500 m, at most 4 knots, no faster than the slowest animal; never enter the 60 m exclusion zone.
- ACCOBAMS guidance: no closer than 100 m; at most 5 knots within 300 m.
- NOAA advice: 100 yd large whales, 50 yd dolphins; US federal law: 500 yd North Atlantic right whales.
- Possible signs of disturbance are a warning to leave slowly and keep clear of the animals’ path.
Check what you have read
Under Spain’s RD 1727/2007, what is the maximum speed inside the 500 m protection space?
True or false?
Decide each statement before you see the answer.
Getting in the water to swim with dolphins is harmless.
ACCOBAMS guidance: no closer than 100 m; at most 5 knots within 300 m.
Driving in front of a whale gives the best view.
Spain: within 500 m, at most 4 knots, no faster than the slowest animal; never enter the 60 m exclusion zone.
Possible signs of disturbance are a warning to leave slowly and keep clear of the animals’ path.
Dolphins ride the bow wave, so speeding up to meet them is fine.
Practice case & exam keys
Situation
Off the coast of Almería you spot one adult pilot whale with a calf and no other whales nearby, about 400 m ahead and to starboard. You are motoring at 7 knots, and your crew wants to get close for photos.
Show the answer
Slow to 4 knots or less, and no faster than the animals. This is an isolated adult–calf pair, so do not enter the 60–300 m restricted zone. Watch from beyond 300 m without closing for photos. Leave slowly if they show possible signs of disturbance.
Exam keys
- Spain RD 1727/2007: within 500 m, at most 4 kn and no faster than the slowest animal; restricted 60–300 m (two boats, none for an isolated adult–calf pair); exclusion inside 60 m.
- ACCOBAMS guidance: not closer than 100 m; at most 5 kn within 300 m; one boat at a time.
- NOAA advice: 100 yd large whales, 50 yd dolphins; US federal law: 500 yd North Atlantic right whales. Washington law: 1,000 yd Southern Resident orcas since 2025.
- Approach from the side and slightly behind; never chase, circle, split groups or swim with them.