Whale & Wildlife Report | June 29- July 5, 2025
PC: Olivia Miller
Highlights
Cuvier’s Beaked Whales
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
Bottlenose Dolphins
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Whale & Wildlife Report | June 29- July 5, 2025
Another summer week in the books! Sunshine, dolphins, and whales… does it get any better? At Hawaiian Adventures we really LOVE whales! Pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, false killer whales, and more exotics are seen on the Kona Coast throughout the year. This week we got to spend time with two of these pelagic species on our tours, and we also had one of the most epic bottlenose dolphin encounters to date!
PC: Olivia Miller
With no set routes, we go where the day takes us. On a beautiful cruise south towards Kealakekua Bay, our sharp-eyed team spotted a couple of Cuvier’s beaked whales. Also known as goose-beaked whales, they can reach lengths of 15-23 feet and have a robust body and small triangular dorsal fin. Like other beaked whales, they are deep divers, so we were quick to get as many looks as we could! To our luck, the group turned and passed right by us. We waited for a few minutes after they dove before continuing our wildlife search.
PC: Olivia Miller
Kona’s year-round whales come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Short-finned pilot whales, perhaps our most commonly sighted species, have a bulbous head and long dark body. They may not look like a stereotypical whale, but they are one of the coolest species and often travel in large pods! We were stoked to come across a big group that quickly surrounded our boat. Whales were everywhere! We got stunning views as they swam right next to us, and on another trip a large pod was logging and being super chill on the surface. This kind of behavior really allows us to get good looks.
PC: Olivia Miller
The Hawaiian spinner dolphins were a little ways outside the harbor this week, apart from a great group who cruised with us and did lots of impressive spins. It’s safe to say however, that the bottlenose dolphins stole the show.
When heading inshore we came across a sizable pod who rode our bow for a bit and then suddenly disappeared. To our surprise, they popped back up a few minutes later with a fish! They were passing the meal around to each other and prey sharing, a behavior that we seldom get to witness. There were lots of celebrations at the surface after each took a bite, and they even brought the fish over to us! This was such a unique encounter and this species’ curiosity and intelligence continues to amaze.
PC: Olivia Miller
Tour Schedule This Coming Week
Monday (7/7) - 7 PM Night Manta Snorkel
Thursday (7/10) - 8:30 AM Dolphin/Whale Watch & 7 PM Night Manta Snorkel
Sunday (7/13) - 8:30 AM Dolphin/Whale Watch & 7 PM Night Manta Snorkel
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.
