Whale & Wildlife Report | September 24-30, 2023
Highlights
Flying fish
Short-finned pilot whales
Tuna
Sea turtles
Melon-headed whales
Hawaiian spinner dolphins
Reef manta rays
Whale & Wildlife Report | September 24-30, 2023
Smooth seas and lots of wildlife! This week we encountered pilot whales, melon-headed whales, flying fish, and plenty of mantas!
Our year-round dolphin and whale-watching tours are cetacean-focused, cetaceans including both whales and dolphins! Great for us and our guests, the Kona Coast is booming with cetaceans and marine life! As many of our trips do, we encountered flying fish during our search along the coastline, and we also saw some large tuna jumping out of the water. Often times the water looks like it’s boiling, while underneath massive groups of fish are darting below the surface. Our trips began and ended with another familiar species, sea turtles who frequent the Honokohau Harbor area!
This week we encountered multiple species of whales and dolphins including pilot whales, melon-headed whales, and Hawaiian spinner dolphins. We came onto scene both whales in deeper waters, and were astonished by the number of whales in the pod of melon heads! It had to have been one of the larger pods of melon-headed whales that we’ve seen on our tours. We also spent time with some friendly pilot whales. The group was located towards VV buoy, and was very active giving us some awesome looks. Consistent Hawaiian spinner dolphins closer to shore this week were also a happy sight as we entered and exited the marina.
Our night mantas were out and about at the northern manta site. We enjoyed calm conditions and not a lot of water movement, making for great visibility beneath the surface. All of our manta trips encountered quite a few mantas and some great rolling action beneath the light boards. As one of our favorite trips to run, we’re always itching to get back out for another night manta. Every trip is a unique experience in Kona, whether in or above the water!
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.
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