Whale & Wildlife Report | July 6-13, 2025
PC: Olivia Miller
Highlights
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
Reef Manta Rays
Hawaiian Monk Seals
Bottlenose Dolphins
Oceanic White Tip Sharks
Green Sea Turtles
Whale & Wildlife Report | July 6-13, 2025
The ocean provided us with a beautiful array of wildlife. Our dolphin/whale watching tours encountered a handful of pods of short-finned pilot whales. Despite some bigger swells, we found a massive pod that was spread out and charging through the waves. After some looks, we moved to calmer conditions and found another group of pilot whales that was tightly clustered together. Offshore a different pod also had a couple trailing oceanic white tip sharks which was nice to see!
PC: Olivia Miller
When cruising by the fish pens, we had a really cool encounter! First we spotted what we thought were just bottlenose dolphins, which then turned out to be bottlenose dolphins and two Hawaiian monk seals. The species were interacting with one another and all hunting around the same area. It was so interesting to see this competitive and predatory behavior, and we got great looks at all the surface action.
PC: Olivia Miller
If you know, you know! Snorkeling with reef manta rays is one of the wildest aquatic experiences you can have. Kona’s resident population of manta rays includes over 120 individuals, and we do our best to id the mantas we see during our night manta snorkel tours! This past week at Garden Eel Cove, conditions were nice overall and we had mantas under our light boards almost immediately. We saw lots of barrel rolling up-close and fly-bys further below. There were around 20 mantas in the area one night, and 30 during another. There’s a reason this site is nicknamed manta heaven!
PC: Olivia Miller
Upcoming Tours
Wednesday (7/23)- 8:30 AM Dolphin/Whale Watch
Thursday (7/24)- 8:30 AM Dolphin/Whale Watch
Friday (7/25)- 8:30 AM Dolphin/Whale Watch & 7 PM Night Manta Snorkel
Sunday (7/27)- 8:30 AM Dolphin/Whale Watch
Wednesday (7/30)- 8:30 AM Dolphin/Whale Watch
Interested in experiencing our 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.
