Whale & Wildlife Report | December 24-30, 2023
Highlights
Humpback whales
Bottlenose dolphins
Hawaiian spinner dolphins
Reef manta rays
Whale & Wildlife Report | December 24-30, 2023
As 2023 comes to an end, we wanted to say mahalo to our wonderful guests and the Kona community for an incredible year! There was so much to celebrate in 2023…. amazing whale and wildlife encounters, our awesome crew, and our new boat Artemis of course! We couldn’t have done it without our hardworking team and our guests’ ambition to explore the offshore. Wildlife tours are our specialty and way of life at Hawaiian Adventures. Sharing unique experiences with visitors and residents of the island is our passion, and we can’t wait to adventure more in 2024!
The last week of 2023 was nothing short of spectacular. Guests were treated to our first comp pod sightings of the season; groups of competitive male humpbacks! These groups are often active, and we witnessed lots of head lunges, tail slaps, fluking, and synchronized surfacing. A few whales popped off with multiple breaches, and one breaching over 10 times. There’s nothing like seeing a 30+ ton animal leap out of the water! We found whales to the north, south, and even right outside the marina. We never know where we’ll spot them, and every trip runs a different route! We’re seeing more humpbacks arrive every week, so now is a great time to join us on the water.
We spotted a few groups of bottlenose dolphins hanging around the humpbacks and near the fish pens. A massive group of Hawaiian spinner dolphins also surprised us while we were watching whales, and they quickly grasped our attention with lots of leaps, flips, and bow riding. The humpbacks may have our focus, but we’re on the search for all kinds of wildlife when we leave the dock!
With the winter weather upon us, we’re always excited when conditions allow us to run a night manta snorkel! Despite some swell, this week’s manta adventures were packed with action and lots of barrel rolling. With three points of buoyancy (our light board, pool noodles, and wetsuits) we bobbed with the waves and watched the beautiful mantas soar beneath us! Pro tip: we always recommend booking your night manta snorkel early in your vacation!
We’re looking forward to our night manta snorkels, and whale watching trips during the first week of 2024! The best way to start the year is on the water!
Interested in experiencing these tours?
Join us, experts with over 25 years of experience running professional wildlife tours. Hawaiian Adventure’s tours provide the best opportunity to explore Kona’s coast and the wildlife beneath the waves. Our top-notch vessels, experienced crew, and oceanic expertise will make your Big Island adventure unforgettable.
If you’ve been on other tours, you’ll appreciate the Hawaiian Adventures difference.
