Whale & Wildlife Report | June 15-21, 2025
PC: Olivia Miller
Highlights
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
Bottlenose Dolphins
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Oceanic White Tip Sharks
Green Sea Turtles
Whale & Wildlife Report | June 15-21, 2025
Departing next to Honokohau Beach, an area known for green sea turtles, we often find turtles right inside Honokohau Harbor. This week we spotted a handful of these giant reptiles sunning on the rocks as we exited the marina. Seeing these turtles in their natural habitat is always a highlight, and a great opportunity for us to educate more about this protected species on our tours!
PC: Olivia Miller
Although we often find short-finned pilot whales in deeper waters, some days they may venture further inshore. We found a small group of pilot whales hanging out in the shallows, and it ended up being three individuals traveling together. After a deep dive, our search took us offshore where we encountered a couple massive groups of pilot whales between the large swells. We saw tons of spy hopping, a behavior where whales rise vertically above the water, poking their head and eyes up to get a better view of their surroundings. We may have been whale watching, but these whales were people-watching too!
PC: Olivia Miller
Larger swells and waves? Not a problem for Kona’s bottlenose dolphins! Offshore we found a trio of bottlenose dolphins heading south so we surfed along with them. These cetaceans know how to make the most of the surface conditions, leaping through the waves and reaching impressive heights! They even came over to ride our bow and we were able to see them swimming right beneath us. With our vessel Artemis we were able to navigate the conditions and get some great views of these playful dolphins!
PC: Olivia Miller
The Hawaiian spinner dolphins greeted us as we returned to the dock after one of our tours, and we also found a larger pod out in Kealakekua Bay. On choppier days this bay is a great place to find calmer water, admire the views and cliffsides, and search for wildlife. During our loop through the area, some very social spinners surrounded our boat and cruised under the bow! Our guests watched as they swam with us for a good amount of time before we departed. It’s a joy seeing Hawaii’s smallest dolphin species so often on our year-round trips!
PC: Olivia Miller
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.
