Drone flying to see whales and waterfalls up close.

Flying drones near marine mammals.

Flying drones in the vicinity of marine mammals (such as whales, dolphins, and seals) can be highly disturbing. Even though an animal might not appear to be disturbed, it could be quite stressed.

It is an offence to harass or disturb marine mammals. See information about flying recreational and commercial drones near marine mammals below. The Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992 (external site) and Marine Mammals Protection Act 197 (external site) (external site) set out the law for interacting with marine mammals.

Note if you wish to land or fly a drone on public conservation land for any reason you must have authorisation from DOC. See commercial drone use or recreational drone use for more information.

Guidance for flying drones near marine mammals.

To avoid disturbing or harassing marine mammals.

You must:

fly no closer than 150 m horizontally from a point directly above any marine mammal
not disturb or harass any marine mammal with your drone; e.g. don’t chase, herd or scatter them
not make any sudden or repeated change in speed or direction
not make any loud or disturbing noises near marine mammals
abandon contact at the first sign of any marine mammal being disturbed.

You should:

take off at least 100 m from any marine mammal on the shore or the land
not fly within 300 m of any marine mammal if there are already three drones, other aircraft, or boats within 300 m of that marine mammal
keep at least 50 m from any other drone