I want to book a room from:

check incheck outguests

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Monk Seal FAQ

Monk Seal

FAQ

Is all of Kaimana Beach Closed?

Most of Kaimana Beach is closed to the public. There is access to the ocean on the Ewa (west) side of the beach, next to the Natatorium.

Why is the beach closed?

The Hawaiian monk seal Kaiwi gave birth there on Friday, April 14, 2023 and a majority of the beach is off limits. The typical recommendation for staying away from a mother monk seal and her pup is 150 feet. 2023 marks the third consecutive year that a seal gave birth at Kaimana Beach and volunteers are working with the Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE) to keep most of the beach closed. Keeping people and seals apart will help the pup as it starts exploring the ocean and learns how to swim so it can eventually forage for food. The newborn is very impressionable at this age, and biologists are worried that becoming overly accustomed to people will affect its ability to thrive in the wild.

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered seal species in the world. The population overall had been declining for six decades and current numbers, though increasing, are only about one-third of historic population levels, so every seal counts.

Who decided to close the beach?

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, in conjunction with marine mammal experts from NOAA and HMAR, have fenced off the beach.

How long will it be closed?

5-7 weeks is typical, but monk seals, like all wildlife, are unpredictable. The monk seals will stay on the beach until the pup is strong enough to swim away on its own. Monk seals wean their pups abruptly, so one day the parent will just swim away and the pup will shortly follow.

What other beaches do you recommend?

Even with the monk seals presence, beach access is still only a short walk away from Kaimana Beach Hotel. Waikiki Beach, sometimes referred to as "Kūhiō Beach" or "Queens," is easily accessible from Kaimana Beach Hotel by foot, bike, or car. Still unsure? Our concierge staff are happy to assist in finding your perfect beach on Oahu. Reach us at concierge@kaimana.com

When will the seals arrive again?

Though it’s impossible to predict, the past three years a seal has arrived at Kaimana Beach to give birth April through July and typically stays for 5-7 weeks.

How can I safely see the seals?

In partnership with KHON, we have a 24/7 webcam set up to view the seals and we frequently post seal photos and video at instagram.com/kaimanabeach. For close-up images of the seals, photographer Erik Kabik uses a telephoto lens to capture some incredible shots. View or purchase those on his website.

Where can I learn more about monk seals?

The NOAA website has extensive information about the monk seal population and updates on specific monk seals. Volunteers and researchers from NOAA, HMAR and DOCARE are often present at Kaimana Beach to answer any other questions and provide updates.