Whale & Wildlife Report | May 10-23, 2026
Highlights
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
Pilot Whale Mom & Calf Pairs
Sunshine & Calm Waters!
Whale & Wildlife Report | May 17-23, 2026
We’re loving spending time with one of Kona’s year-round whale species: short-finned pilot whales! The past two weeks have been full of sunshine and awesome encounters.
Join in on the fun… Our next 8:30 AM Pelagic Dolphin/Whale Watch Tours are on Tuesday, May 26th and Saturday, May 30th!
Let’s recap some of our recent pilot whale moments!
Earlier this week, we encountered several pods offshore. Among the group was an adorable young calf and two playful juveniles being carefully supervised by an adult. The youngsters were full of energy and curiosity, keeping their babysitter busy as they darted around the pod.
On another outing, we were lucky enough to spot two mother-and-calf pairs. Watching the calves interact with their moms is always a special experience, and it’s amazing to see their unique personalities begin to shine through during our encounters.
While observing wildlife, our naturalists are always documenting these moments with cameras in hand. One individual we photographed recently had a healing cookie cutter shark bite — recognizable by the small circular scar left behind. Because short-finned pilot whales spend much of their lives in deep offshore waters, encounters with these tiny sharks are fairly common.
So how do we locate these incredible whales year-round? Experience plays a big role. Our team spends countless hours scanning the Kona Coast for signs of marine life, and one of the easiest ways to identify pilot whales is by their distinctive dorsal fins. Their thick, curved fins and dark coloration make them stand out against the ocean surface, especially when several appear together on the horizon.
Spring has certainly brought the heat, and we’ve been soaking up plenty of sunshine out on the water. If you’re looking for the perfect way to cool off and experience Kona’s whales and wildlife, hop on a pelagic trip with our Hawaiian Adventures team!
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.
