Whale & Wildlife Report | June 8-14, 2025
PC: Olivia Miller
Highlights
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
Sperm Whales
Sperm Whale Vocalizations!
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Green Sea Turtles
Whale & Wildlife Report | June 8-14, 2025
We had some wild weather and some wild whales! Not only did we see Kona’s pilot whales, we got to see the largest toothed whale that can be found in Hawaiian Waters. When searching offshore, we’re on the lookout for blows and other indications of life in the area. Our team has years of experience spotting whales, and we work hard to find as much as we can on every adventure we run.
PC: Olivia Miller
When scanning deeper waters on our whale watch, we found a group of sperm whales! Sperm whales can be upwards of 40 ft long, and not only are they the largest toothed whale in Kona, they are the largest toothed whale in the world! Their name comes from spermaceti, a waxy substance found in their heads whose true function is related to focusing sound. Our encounter started with three big breaches from a little calf and then lots of great looks. There were so many whales spread out with the largest group including 15. We took the opportunity to drop our hydrophone and listened to them underwater. It was a really cool encounter!
PC: Olivia Miller
Kona’s short-finned pilot whales are always a welcome sight, and we had 2 pods south of Keauhou. The first pod had a couple curious individuals who came over and circled around Artemis. A mom and calf even spy hopped together right off the bow! We got more looks at the first pod before heading to the second, and this group was massive. It was great to see the pilot whales congregating in higher numbers. They were tightly grouped and we observed many spy hopping. Another week with the pilot whales in the books!
PC: Olivia Miller
Hawaiian spinner dolphins are the smallest species of dolphin that we see on our trips, but one of the most charming! They are known for their acrobatic displays and spinning multiple times when they jump in the air. Offshore from downtown Kona, we saw pods of Hawaiian spinner dolphins and spent quality time with these groups. Everyone was excited to see this iconic species, and we also saw them right outside the harbor.
PC: Olivia Miller
Honokohau Harbor is the perfect launch point for our adventures! Our harbor waters are home to many tropical fish, and we frequently see sea turtles and tiger sharks. When returning from one of our trips, we had a great final encounter with a large sea turtle sunning on the rocks near the harbor entrance. If you share our passion for Kona’s marine life, we hope you will join us on our 3-4 hour year-round dolphins/whale watching tours!
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.
