Whale & Wildlife Report | October 4-10, 2026
Highlights
Short-finned pilot whales
Pantropical spotted dolphins
Hawaiian spinner dolphins
Bottlenose dolphins
Oceanic white tip sharks
Lots of birds!
Whale & Wildlife Report | October 4-10, 2026
Excitement was in the air this week as Kona welcomed athletes from around the world for the annual Ironman World Championship! But the world-class athletes weren’t the only ones making waves. Our Pelagic Dolphin & Whale Watch Tours had some incredible, high-energy encounters of their own out on the water!
As we made our way out of the harbor, we encountered a wonderful pod of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, including a TINY newborn that may have been just a day or two old based on its size! Further south, we came across a friendly pod of bottlenose dolphins. With calm seas providing the perfect backdrop, these social dolphins cruised alongside us, giving our guests amazing views!
As we headed offshore, it didn’t take long to find a huge pod of pantropical spotted dolphins! This energetic group was incredibly interactive, with dolphins leaping through the waves while birds dove into the water to snatch up fish. We spotted more than seven different bird species joining in on the feeding frenzy! Just when we thought the encounter couldn’t get any better, the dolphins treated us to some epic wake surfing as we continued on our way. What a wild sight!
We also encountered a pod of short-finned pilot whales accompanied by two oceanic white tip sharks close in tow! We always love introducing our guests to these year-round species, especially when it’s their very first time seeing them. Education is a big part of what we do, and we hope every encounter leaves our guests with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the amazing marine life we’re lucky enough to see offshore!
Kona is known for the Ironman championship this past weekend, but it’s also known as one of the best places in the world to watch pelagic whales and dolphins!
Join our next 8:30 AM tours on October 15th and 17th!
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.
