Whale Season is Here!

I am getting excited about whale season here on the Big Island, and I know you are, too! It’s a great time to visit and enjoy the island’s beauty. When I think about the upcoming whale season, I also think about dolphin and turtle viewing. I thought it would be fun to share more about all three animals, why they come to the islands of Hawaii, and some fun facts about them.

Whale Season on the Big Island

The winter months (December – April) on the Kohala Coast are prime times to see the humpback whales that migrate here during winter. These sea mammals spend their summers in the arctic regions where they can eat their preferred diet of krill and small cold-water fish. In the fall, they migrate 3000 miles to the Hawaii Islands to escape the harsh winters of the north.

Their time in our area is their breeding season. This gives them time to nurse their calves and start the weaning process as they begin the journey back home to the north Pacific.

Whale season on the Big Island encompasses the winter months, but you might be able to spot them as early as October and as late as April or May. You can book a whale-watching tour that goes to their known spots. Over the past few years, their time spent on the islands has decreased. Yet during two weeks, typically in February, you will see their grand finale, as I call it.

The massive sea mammals breach the surface of certain waters off the coast of Hawaii, and they do this for a few reasons. They also slap their tails on the surface of the ocean. Scientists can only speculate, but some say it’s to get rid of parasites on their skin, some believe it’s a form of communication, while others suggest it’s to assert their dominance in the face of a threat. What do you think?

Dolphin Watching

Whales are not the only sea animals you might see in our area of Hawaii! There are four types of dolphins you might spot, too. These include the Pacific bottlenose, rough-toothed, spotted, and spinner.

On the Big Island, you’ll usually see the spinner dolphin, and they tend to hang out year-round off the Kona Coast. There are a variety of snorkeling tours you can book to see them up close, but it’s important not to touch them or disturb them in any way.

Chances are, even if you are enjoying some time on the shoreline, you might see spinner dolphins jumping up and spinning in the air – they are aptly named!

They typically gather in large groups at night to eat and spend their daytime sleeping in smaller pods. They tend to stay in these groups to deter predators with their numbers, so if you see one dolphin, you can bet that there are more in the immediate area.

Sea Turtle Sightings

Although not sea mammals, another animal you might spot in the waters off Hawaii or on the shore is the sea turtle. The Big Island is home to the green sea turtle, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, and hawksbill species.

Of these, the most commonly seen closer to shore is the green sea turtle. Because these animals are protected by state and federal law, you should not get too close to them, but observing them from afar on a beach or while snorkeling a reef is a sight to behold!

The beautiful sights of the west coast of the Big Island are not limited to just the scenery but extend to the fauna. The animals of Hawaii are amazing! Thankfully, there are many opportunities to spot these sea creatures and see them in their natural habitats. Residents and visitors alike enjoy observing them through a formal tour or just by driving along the Kohala Coast.

With aloha,
Leeana