Is Boat Touring Harmful?

I’ve been on multiple boat tours while visiting Hawaii. They were all amazing, blue water, warm sun, great views. But as much as I enjoy it, I keep thinking about how much is this hurting the environment?

What I Noticed

First off, boats, especially tourist ones, can really mess with marine life. For one, the noise pollution is a big deal. Underwater noise from engines and propellers can confuse or stress out creatures like dolphins and whales that use sound to communicate, hunt, and navigate. There have even been recorded changes in migration routes and feeding habits because of all the noise.

I remember the tour passing by some coral reef areas. It turns out reefs are super sensitive to noise, too. The sounds from boats overlap with the natural reef sounds, confusing fish and coral larvae trying to find their way. That can mess up the balance of the whole ecosystem. 

Wikipedia

Boats and Wildlife

Many tours include whale watching. Seeing these huge mammals is incredible, but too many boats around them can stress them out. Some tours get too close, disturb their feeding or resting, or chase them around too long. This can even mess up their mating, feeding, or migration routines.

Boats sometimes bump into animals, too. Collisions can cause serious injuries, and sometimes even death for slow-moving animals like whales.

Habitat Damage

Another thing that came to mind, when they dropped anchor near seagrass beds or shallow areas, boats can stir up mud and damage the plants. Those areas are super important. Seagrass and mudflats store carbon and provide food and shade for marine life. Disturbing them can set off a chain reaction, like returns of algae blooms or losing fish habitat.

So Is It All Bad?

It’s not all doom and gloom. Some tours actually try to be more eco-conscious. Sustainable boat trips are starting to become a thing. Operators use cleaner fuel, avoid sensitive areas, reduce idle time, pick biodegradable cleaning products, and limit the number of boats in wildlife zones. These small changes can make a big difference.

Plus, when done right, tours can help create eco-awareness. Seeing animals in their natural habitat can make people care more, and tour costs can support conservation projects. 

What I Took Away

Here’s what stuck with me:

• Boats can harm marine life, especially through noise, proximity, and habitat disruption.

• Wildlife can get stressed or injured, and sometimes change their behavior because of human activity.

• Ecosystems like seagrass and coral are easily disturbed by anchors and boat movement.

But there’s hope, sustainable tours exist, and travelers have a role in supporting them.

Bottom Line

That boat ride in Hawaii? It was stunning. But it also made me realize how much impact, sometimes hidden, comes with the fun. Boats affect wildlife, ecosystems, and the ocean soundscape. The good news is that we can do better, by choosing thoughtful operators, following marine safety rules, and encouraging practices that respect nature.

Sources:

"Cruise Ship Pollution Effects on Marine Life." Friends of the Earth, 21 Dec. 2021, foe.org/blog/cruise-ship-effects-marine-life/?utm_.

"Environmental Impacts of Vessel Operations." National Park Service, www.nps.gov/articles/000/environmental-impacts-vessels.htm?utm_.

Harper, Patricia. "How to Travel by Boat Sustainably and Reduce Ocean Pollution." Sea Going Green, 13 Mar. 2025, www.seagoinggreen.org/blog/how-to-travel-by-boat-sustainably-and-reduce-ocean-pollution?utm_.

"Unsustainable Tourism." Pacific Whale Foundation, pacificwhale.org/why-we-do-it/unsustainable-tourism/?utm_.

"Why is mass tourism so bad for our oceans?" Planet Wild, 18 Oct. 2023, planetwild.com/blog/why-is-mass-tourism-bad-for-the-ocean?utm_.