Whale & Wildlife Report | May 25-31, 2025
PC: Olivia Miller
Highlights
Sperm Whales
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Bottlenose Dolphins
Reef Manta Rays
Oceanic White Tip Shark
Tiger Shark
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
Whale & Wildlife Report | May 25-31, 2025
Sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins, and more! It’s always whale watching season in Kona with over a dozen species of pelagic whales. These whales are often found in deeper waters, and with our offshore certification, we can reach these wildlife-rich areas. Kona is a dream destination for true whale enthusiasts, and this week we had some wild sightings on our tours.
PC: Olivia Miller
Not one, not two, but THREE encounters with sperm whales!!! These were our first sightings of this species in 2025, making them all the more special. Offshore, we encountered a number of these whales in various sized groups. Some whales were cruising together on the surface allowing us amazing views, and others showed us their flukes as they took deeper dives. One little whale in particular was doing tail slaps and a couple cartwheels, a behavior we haven’t seen this species do before! When watching a group of seven, we dropped our hydrophone and our guests listened to them clicking and echolocating beneath the surface! To top it off, a sperm whale calf who was covered in remoras breached around eight times. A grand finale to a grand sperm whale week!
PC: Olivia Miller
When cruising offshore, we found a handful of pods of short-finned pilot whales. One group had an oceanic white tip shark trailing with them. It wasn’t too interested in us, but we still got some good looks. A few of the larger male pilot whales were logging, spending a lot of time at the surface, and we had a peaceful encounter watching them slowly cruise together. On a separate occasion, two females were especially playful and they breached and spy hopped out of the water! You never know what kind of action we will witness, and we love spending so much time with this resident species.
PC: Olivia Miller
While we enjoy watching whales, other cool species call this area home. Near the fish pens, our team spotted bottlenose dolphins. We also had a great encounter with bottlenose near Keauhou and they were extremely playful and curious. They spy hopped and cruised right under our bow, so everyone onboard got some up close and personal looks! Near the downtown Kona area, we found a pod of sleepy Hawaiian spinner dolphins, and another group further south in Kealakekua Bay. Our shark fanatics onboard were also thrilled to see a scalloped hammerhead shark swimming at the surface and a massive tiger shark!
PC: Olivia Miller
Conditions have been variable, but we were glad to get back in the water for a night manta snorkel tour this week! Snorkeling with reef manta rays is a mind-blowing experience, and this is the only place in the world where you can do it in this way. With good in-water visibility and little wind or swell, it was an ideal night with these gentle giants. We watched as around 8 mantas swooped beneath our board, and the barrel rolling and fly-bys continued non-stop! The summer brings some of the best ocean conditions of the year, and we’re looking forward to our many manta ray adventures!
PC: Olivia Miller
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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.
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