Whale & Wildlife Report | May 3-9, 2026
Highlights
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
Pantropical Spotted Dolphins
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
‘Iwa (Great Frigatebird)
Whale & Wildlife Report | May 3-9, 2026
We love spending time with short-finned pilot whales on our tours! These fascinating whales are seen year-round in Kona’s deep waters. This week, we enjoyed friendly pods of pilot whales and energetic Pantropical spotted dolphins!
Short-finned pilot whales are one of the most charming whales to watch! This species is often brand-new to our guests, but they quickly fall for their sweet faces and curious nature.
We encountered a smaller pod that delighted us with lots of babies in the mix! The bond between a mother and calf is incredibly strong, with mothers nursing their young for at least two years — and sometimes much longer. After watching the littles, we found another large pod further offshore. This group featured several impressive bulls, who treated us to exciting spy hops as they surfaced to take a look around.
While scanning offshore, we keep our eyes on both the water and the sky! We were thrilled to spot hunting ‘Iwa birds alongside a lively group of pantropical spotted dolphins. The ocean was buzzing with activity as the ‘Iwa swooped overhead and the dolphins charged through the waves!
Our crew works hard to keep our vessels in top shape! We’re doing some boat maintenance this week, so our next available 8:30 AM Pelagic Dolphin/Whale Watch Tour is on May 14th!
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.
