August started out with a bang with several sightings of pseudorca or false killer whales, so named because of their likeness to the black and white killer whale in that they hunt in packs and target prey much larger than themselves.  Because they lack the black and white markings of the killer whale orca yet exhibit many of the same behaviors, they have been dubbed “false” killer whales.

Also seen on today’s trip was three large pods of Hawaiian pilot whales thought to make the Hawaiian Islands their home year-‘round.  Short finned pilot whales are the only species of whale besides the orca that has been demonstrated to live in very large tight knit social group, perhaps families of related individuals who spend virtually their entire lifetime together rather than in a loose social congregation of unrelated individuals.  Among the many advantages, the benefits to living in a familiar and cohesive group includes better preparedness to effectively deal with predators, improved hunting skills, more efficient communication, and better protection for the young through social bonds that are formed between individuals.

On the latter part of the tour, we spent time with an active and acrobatic group of spinner dolphins, aptly named because of their propensity to jump out of the water spiraling midair before crashing back down at the surface.

The summer is a great time to view the many exotic species that call Hawaii their home.  We hope you will join us on our next whale watching adventure and look forward to seeing you on the beautiful Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.  Call 1-888-WHALES-6 for reservations.

Aloha,

Captain Dan

While it has been a slow start to the summer tourism in Hawaii due to cutbacks on airline accommodations, there have been no shortages of whales in sight.

In the midst of a 4-week research project, we are running our summer whale watch excursions on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule as the need arises.  This time of the year we have an early morning check-in which puts us on the water at prime time for viewing mammals in their natural habitat. 

Our last trip out we had an incredible encounter with a large pod of Hawaiian pilot whales, consisting of several subgroups of females and their young and another subgroup of large bulls.  On the heels of the pilot whales, we came across a pair of rare exotic Blainsville Beaked whales, the whales often implicated in strandings following naval sonar exercises.  Characterized by a lot of white scarring on their bodies, we identify individuals according to the unique patterns that form on their backs and fins.  The day was topped off with a friendly encounter with gregarious spinner dolphins.  The only dolphins that spin in the wild, they will often leap out of the sea, spiraling as they do as many as seven complete revolutions mid-air before they splash back down again and hit the surface of the water.

We currently have satellite tags on pilot, false killer, pygmy killer, and beaked whales.  On our tours, we share with our guests what we are learning using the latest technology to better understand how these whales are using the habitat.  We hope you will join us on our next whale watching adventure.  We look forward to seeing you on the beautiful Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.  Call 1-888-WHALES-6  for  reservations.

Aloha,

Captain Dan