See a Spout? Watch Out!
See A Spout? Watch Out! is a program dedicated to preparing boaters, sailors, and paddlers to safely navigate waters shared with protected marine species, particularly large whales, for mutual safety.
The following national marine sanctuaries offer free, 30-minute Spout Spotter courses through See A Spout tailored to the local waters and marine species. You do not have to be operating a vessel within sanctuary waters to benefit from these free courses, as all boaters should be knowledgeable of safe boating practices around whales.
Spout Spotters: East Coast
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
The productive waters surrounding Stellwagen Bank offshore Massachusetts have made the area famous as a fishing ground, and its regularly returning whales make it one of the world's premier whale watching destinations. Whales attract many visitors and support important ecotourism and recreation industries. To protect these charismatic animals from vessel strikes, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary partnered with NOAA Fisheries and Whale and Dolphin Conservation to develop the Sea a Spout program.
You don't have to be operating a vessel within sanctuary waters to take this course. If you are a boater or sailor in the Greater Atlantic (Maine through Virginia), this course will help you identify commonly seen whale species along the U.S. Atlantic coast and be familiar with their behavior. Learn safe whale watching guidelines, and what to document and who to call if you encounter a whale in distress.
Spout Spotters: West Coast
Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Greater Farallones, and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries
The five national marine sanctuaries along California's striking coastline are home to many renowned ecosystems and marine species, especially whales and other marine mammals. The productive, nutrient-rich waters off the coast attract these magnificent animals as they migrate, which makes each of these sanctuaries distinguished whale watching destinations.
To promote safe viewing, the national marine sanctuaries along the California coast have partnered with The Marine Mammal Center and the Santa Barbara Whale Heritage Area to adapt the "See a Spout" program. Whether you are sailing in San Francisco or kayaking in the Santa Barbara Channel, this course is designed to help you identify common whale species found along the U.S. Eastern Pacific coast and familiarize yourself with appropriate viewing behaviors to ensure your safety as well as the safety of the whales.Participants will learn more about responsible marine life viewing and how to report an entangled or distressed whale.
Spout Spotters: Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
You may not realize it, but you could be navigating waters that are specially protected for koholā (humpback whales) and their habitat. Every winter, more than 10,000 koholā travel to Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. Encompassing 1,370 square miles, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects these whales and their habitat. Whether inside the sanctuary or not, the rules and recommendations for boating around whales are the same. Take the free 30-minute See a Spout Hawaiʻi boater course to learn proper viewing guidelines and help reduce the risk of accidental collisions and/or harassment.
Keep yourself, your boat, and whales safe
Quick Tips for Safe Boating Around Whales - Follow these six straightforward tips to safely and responsibly watch whales from your boat.
By taking the See A Spout? Watch Out! Spout Spotter Course(s), you can easily learn how to spot whales while on the water and understand the laws and guidelines of watching whales!
