Whale & Wildlife Report | Feb 15-21, 2026
Highlights
Humpback Whales
Whale Shark
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Bottlenose Dolphins
Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks
Tiger Shark
Green Sea Turtles
Reef Manta Rays
Booby Birds
Seahorse
Whale & Wildlife Report | Feb 15-21, 2026
This week we encountered so many whales and other marine species! The humpback season not only means humpback whales, we have the potential to see year-round wildlife like sharks, dolphins, turtles, rays, and if we’re SUPER lucky… a whale shark! Keep reading to learn more…
We had an abundance of memorable humpback encounters, particularly with mom-calf-escort trios and mom-calf pairs! We observed several peaceful groups who showed their flukes and were relaxed in their movements. More energetic highlights came from playful little ones! These newborn calves were bursting with curiosity and confidence, rolling around on the surface, breaching, tail slapping, and cartwheeling. Watching them test their growing strength is pure joy!
Moms occasionally joined in with impressive breaches of their own, but most of the time, they seemed content to rest. After migrating thousands of miles to our waters to give birth and nurse their calves, it’s no wonder these dedicated mothers take a moment to rest when they can.
We also had thrilling encounters with male comp pods and individuals that kept everyone on the edge of their seats! We spent time with solo humpbacks who exploded with breaches, tail slaps, and pec slaps. Our tours also encountered multiple competition pods full of dramatic chases, head lunges, jaw popping, chin slapping and erratic surfacings. One standout group of seven was buzzing with energy – escalated by bottlenose dolphins crashing the scene and resulting in trumpeting from the whales.
When the opportunity arose, we also dropped our hydrophone to listen in beneath the surface! Our guests were able to listen to phenomenal vocals echoing from all directions. The males may be rowdy, but they are also talented vocalists!
What a week for filter feeders! One of our whale watching tours had the thrill of spending time with a whale shark!! It was so cute and small (a relative statement considering it was still an estimated 10-12 feet long). Everyone onboard got amazing looks as it took an interest in us for a little while before continuing on.
We also had the pleasure of seeing multiple reef manta rays while waiting for a humpback to resurface. It was cool seeing these massive mantas feed on the surface- cephalic lobes unfurled and extended to funnel plankton-rich water into their mouths!
Other fun creatures that deserve a feature include scalloped hammerhead sharks (including one especially chunky individual), a tiger shark feeding on a whale carcass, a baby honu sunning on a rock in the harbor, and a tiny seahorse that some of our guests spotted at the dock! And we can’t forget multiple brown booby birds lounging on the yellow marker at the fish pens. Kona’s biodiversity continues to amaze!
Interested in experiencing our tours?
Hawaiian Adventure’s tours provide the best opportunity to explore the Kona Coast and the wildlife beneath the waves.
If you’ve been on other tours, you’ll appreciate the Hawaiian Adventures difference.
