Whale & Wildlife Report | July 5-11, 2026
Highlights
Short-finned pilot whales
Hawaiian spinner dolphins
Melanistic pelagic manta ray
Whale & Wildlife Report | July 5-11, 2026
July is flying by, and the Kona Coast continues to deliver an amazing variety of marine life. This past week we spent time with familiar cetaceans and were wowed by a surprise melanistic pelagic manta ray. If you’re still looking for weekend plans, there’s still time to join us on tomorrow’s 8:30 AM Pelagic Dolphin/Whale Watch Tour!
The best way to start the day… with pilot whales of course! This week we enjoyed quality time with a relaxed pod that included a couple impressive bulls, their tall dorsal fins standing out from the group. Watching these intelligent, social whales on a calm morning is always a highlight.
We started and ended our trips with Hawaiian spinner dolphins right outside Honokohau! This area is one of the best stretches along the Kona Coast to consistently encounter these sweet dolphins. Our marine naturalist was thrilled to receive lots of questions from some dolphin enthusiasts onboard. We always aim to leave guests with a new understanding and appreciation of the wildlife we encounter!
One of the biggest surprises of the summer so far: a melanistic pelagic manta ray!! Our team was scanning inshore when we spotted this ray, immediately recognizable by its striking all-black coloration. It was an extraordinary encounter, and we were fortunate to spend an extended time observing as its enormous wing tips repeatedly broke the surface. The ray peacefully cruised along, giving our naturalist the perfect opportunity to capture identification photos!
Plan your pelagic adventure this summer! Our team is heading off-island from July 14th-27th to run wildlife expeditions in Mexico. We’ll be back soon and ready to rock on our 8:30 AM tours on July 29th and 31st!
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.
