Whale & Wildlife Report | Feb 2-8, 2025
PC: Andrew Aggergaard
Highlights
Humpback Whales
Short-Finned Pilot Whales
False Killer Whales
Pantropical Spotted Dolphins
Bottlenose Dolphins
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Hammerhead Sharks
Green Sea Turtles
Reef Manta Rays
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Whale & Wildlife Report | Feb 2-8, 2025
We had an eventful week on the Kona Coast! Last week’s winter storm left us with beautiful looks at the snowy peak of Mauna Loa. Our humpback whale watching tours encountered three species of whales and lots of wildlife! Our favorite encounter this week had to be with a school of 70-100 hammerhead sharks. We got really nice looks at their dorsal fins and some large females at the surface. Humpback whale season also means hammer time!
PC: Andrew Aggergaard
The breeding season brings so much humpback activity to Kona’s waters. We encountered some lively mom, calf, and escort trios during our trips! Some of the calves were showing off with tons of breaches, spy hops, and chin slaps. Watching these young whales display their growing power is so sweet. We love sharing these moments with our guests, and it’s wild to think that we are some of the first people to spend time with these little ones!
PC: Andrew Aggergaard
A great tip for finding whales is to look for surface activity! A big splash in the distance could mean something exciting is on the horizon. We followed our eyes this week and were rewarded with some epic action. Witnessing a 80,000+lb humpback launch out of the water is a sight to behold! Some of the big breaches and tail slaps that we witnessed left us speechless. Especially when multiple males came together and formed competition pods. We were wowed with dramatic cartwheels and repetitive pec slaps. If you haven’t joined us on a trip yet, you don’t want to miss this crazy season!
PC: Andrew Aggergaard
We were stoked to enjoy two of Kona’s year-round whale species this week. When cruising just offshore from downtown, one of our trips found false killer whales! It was so nice to see them again and we got looks at a couple individuals as the pod made their way north. We also had multiple encounters with short-finned pilot whales, and one pod was interacting with a group of humpbacks. The humpbacks were pec slapping and it was cool to see these species interacting.
PC: Andrew Aggergaard
With some pods of Hawaiian spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, we were thrilled to have more multi-species sightings! On our 7 AM tours, our crew and guests get to wake up with the wildlife. During one stunning sunrise, we watched a group of humpbacks and bottlenose socializing. There was splashing at the surface and some trumpeting from the whales. North along the coastline, we had an amazing interaction with bottlenose, Pantropical spotted dolphins, and five humpbacks! With so many animals, our heads were on swivel to keep up with all the commotion. What a fun week of memorable adventures!
PC: Olivia Miller
Interested in experiencing our 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.
