Whale & Wildlife Report | August 19-24, 2024
PC: Andrew Aggergaard
Highlights
Sperm whales
Short-finned pilot whales
Bottlenose dolphins
Hawaiian spinner dolphins
Oceanic white-tip sharks
Tuna
Sea turtles
Whale & Wildlife Report | August 19-24, 2024
Our team has returned from Tonga! After an incredible few weeks on the water with humpback whales, we are so excited to be back on the Big Island running trips in our favorite place! During these summer and fall months, there are so many species of whales, dolphins, and other marine life that we may encounter on our tours. With 3-4 hours and access to Kona’s pelagic zone, the possibilities are especially exciting! With the storm passing through this weekend, we’re looking forward to another wildlife-rich week on the water.
PC: Olivia Miller
The whales welcomed us home with some fantastic encounters. Angling offshore, we scouted the area and found multiple pods of short-finned pilot whales. We had a mix of calm water and more sporty weather, but the comfort and stability of Artemis allowed us to have the best possible experience! Our first pods were out in about 7000 ft of water and we noted a large bull in the mix. We observed a few good surfacings in between longer downtimes. As we continued to scan, Naturalist Olivia spotted pilot whales a few miles away! This turned out to be a massive group and they were super curious. Some members of the pod came to check us out and started spyhopping! It was incredible! A few oceanic white-tip sharks were also circling with the pod which was a welcome sight.
PC: Andrew Aggergaard
Our whale sightings continued when Captain Andrew saw a huge splash. During this time of year that can only mean one thing… one of our larger species of whales! We headed that way and identified the commotion as a group of sperm whales! There were 3 adults and one tiny newborn calf (probably the smallest we’ve ever seen). They were spending time in the most perfect patch of glassy water in the sunshine which was a nice respite from the inshore conditions. With the newborn whale, the group was spending time at the surface so everyone onboard got some great looks. Sperm whales are an impressive species and can’t wait to see them again on a trip in the near future!
PC: Olivia Miller
When the sun goes down, our crew gears up for our night manta snorkel tours. This past week we had great action at the northern manta site. We had a mix of conditions but the ocean still allowed for a good experience in the water! With clear visibility, we could see all the way down to the reef where we watched tons of mantas passing below. Our guides counted 20+ mantas in total! As the light boards attracted more plankton, we did get some awesome barrel rolls and fly-bys! It was the perfect way to kick-off our return to the island and we’re looking forward to our upcoming night manta trip this Friday. If you’re still looking for Friday night plans, join us on our 7 PM departure!
PC: Olivia Miller
Interested in experiencing these tours?
Join us, experts with over 25 years of experience running professional wildlife tours. 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.
If you’ve been on other tours, you’ll appreciate the Hawaiian Adventures difference.
