Why Kona Is The Most Sought-After Destination For Dolphin Watch Tours
Home to some of Hawaii’s most unbelievably beautiful beaches, amazing snorkeling, and perhaps the world’s best coffee, Kona is truly a destination like no other. However, there’s one more thing that makes the Kailua-Kona Coast so amazing, and that is the Hawaiian spinner dolphin! The spinner dolphin is one of Hawaii’s most beloved and sacred animals, known for their playful and intelligent nature, and Kona happens to be one of the most sought-after destinations for viewing them in their natural habitat. Here at Kona Ocean Adventures, we specialize in providing unforgettable cruises, scuba diving, and snorkel tours, where you can truly experience the beauty of Hawaii and see Hawaiian spinner dolphins up close and personal! Keep reading to find out more about the island and these amazing marine mammals.
Kona, Hawaii’s Unique Ecosystem
Boasting one of the planet’s most diverse and rich marine ecosystems, Kona is like a magnet for dolphins! The Big Island’s warm and calm waters also create the perfect place for a variety of underwater animals such as tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and manta rays! You may be wondering, why exactly do the dolphins love Kona so much? Here’s why:
- It’s A Safe Place to Rest: Kona’s many sheltered bays and famously calm waters provide the perfect conditions for dolphins to rest. In fact, these wonderful creatures are known to sleep during the day in the shallow, sandy-bottom bays all along the Kona coast!
- There’s Tons of Food for Dolphins to Eat: Kona’s warm currents not only support dolphins, they also attract huge populations of tiny fish and small squid, which in turn, attract marine mammals who rely on them for food!
- Amazing Weather Year-round: The climate in Kona is near perfect all year long, which is another reason why dolphins flock here. That means you can take a dolphin watching cruise almost any time and expect to see them out in the wild!
If you want amazing, unobstructed views of Hawaii’s famous spinner dolphins, a boat tour with Kona Ocean Adventures is a great way to go! Our cruises get you phenomenal views of the entire coastline, plus our captains are experts at finding the best spots in Kona to see dolphins.
The Best Time to See Dolphins in Kona, HI
Just like us, intelligent animals like dolphins tend to follow daily schedules and patterns. This makes timing your Kona dolphin watching tour correctly crucial! While you can sometimes spot them during the day, the best time to see dolphins in Kona, HI, is in the early morning and at dusk. Spinner dolphins hunt at night, then in the morning, return to the shallow bays around Kona to rest and play. Book a morning cruise, such as our KKona whale watching tour, for a chance to see dolphins on our way out to the ocean. Plus, you’ll also get to see humpback whales during their annual migration! It’s a truly magical experience, we believe everyone must try at least once in their life.
See Amazing Dolphin Behavior Up Close and Personal
The best part about taking a dolphin watching cruise in Kona is that you get to see these amazing animals truly in their element. In fact, Hawaiian spinner dolphins get their name from their unique acrobatic displays. Take a morning or sunset cruise in Kona, HI, for a chance to be amazed as these creatures leap from the waves and perform their breathtaking dance midair! You might also see them riding on the wake of our boat or leaping in unison. It’s a profoundly exciting and beautiful treat to see dolphins in their natural habitat.
You Can Get the Best of Both Worlds: Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching
Just when you thought it couldn’t get better… did you know that Kona also has some of Hawaii’s best beginner snorkeling? Take a snorkel tour to Kaealakekua Bay and get the perfect combination of cruise, snorkeling, and potential dolphin watching! Also known as Captain Cook, this protected marine sanctuary is one of the best places in Kona to see dolphins. Explore Kona’s underwater world and take in phenomenal views of the coastline all on one epic adventure!
Book a Private Dolphin Watching Cruise
For the best chance to see dolphins in Kona, we recommend booking a private dolphin watching cruise! On our private charter boat rentals, you can customize the itinerary exactly to your liking, so whether you want to swim with manta rays, snorkel with sea turtles, search for spinner dolphins, or all of the above, we can make it happen! These tours are also a popular choice for celebrating special occasions like bachelorette parties, birthdays, and anniversaries, where you and your guests can enjoy the party of a lifetime, all while soaking up the natural beauty and incredible wildlife that make the Hawaiian Islands so special.
Ready to go dolphin watching in Kona, HI? Reserve your spot on board a tour today!