Pilot Whales
Short-finned pilot whales are the second largest delphinids found in Hawaiian waters. Photo-identification has cataloged at least 1,200 distinct individuals around Hawaii, with an estimated 19,000-20,000 throughout the island chain. Resighting data suggests there are several communities of long-term resident groups, and that these groups are socially isolated. Occasionally, open-ocean going populations venture close to the islands, but they have never been documented associating with resident groups. Pilot whales live in a matriarchal society in which females stay with their birth pod for life. A healthy female will average 4-5 calves in her lifetime, and females may nurse some offspring for up to 15 years! In the waters of Hawaii, this social species has been documented associating with other cetaceans, and they are frequently followed by oceanic whitetip sharks.
Whale Stats
Scientific Name: Globicephala macrorhynchus
Length: 11-18 feet
Weight: 2200-6600 lbs
Diet: squid, fish
Lifespan: 35-60 years
Season: Year-round
More Whales, Dolphins, and Wildlife of the Kona Coast
The Kona coast boasts an incredibly diverse array of marine life. Venture with us out into the blue in search of graceful mantas, massive mola mola, schooling sharks, or one of more than a dozen species of toothed whales that traverse these island waters.
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, our expert guides offer the Big Island’s ultimate small-group wildlife experience. Our year-round whale watching, night manta snorkels, and private charters are the best opportunity for a true Hawaiian Adventure.
Whale watching in Kona is year-round! Hawaiian Adventures Kona has access to both near-shore and pelagic zones, which gives you the opportunity to see humpback whales during the winter months, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, flying fish, surface-feeding mantas, pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, whale sharks, and more!
Experience the real Kona nightlife and meet the mantas! Our Kona Night Manta tours depart strategically out of Honokohau Harbor, giving us the ability to head where there’s better conditions, fewer people, and more manta rays. This small-group tour is the best way to experience the #1 activity on the Big Island.
Explore the Kona Coast at your own speed. Private tours are the best choice for small or large groups that value exclusivity and a personalized experience. Whether you’re looking for a family adventure, school trip, memorial service, or something entirely different, our team will work with you to create your custom adventure.