What Animals Can You See on an Oahu Dolphin Tour?
Dolphin watching in Hawaii is a major attraction point for many visitors, experiencing them up close in their natural habitat. But dolphin watching in Oahu does not have to be exclusively about dolphins. Here we will go over dolphins and what other animals you could encounter during our dolphin watching and snorkeling tour in Oahu!
1. Dolphins: The Main Attraction
The main attraction of our tours involves dolphins. Hawaii is home to a handful of dolphin species, such as spotted dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, and short-beaked dolphins. But the most abundant in Oahu’s oceans are the Hawaiian spinner dolphins and the bottlenose dolphins. The Hawaiian spinner dolphins, being the most common, are very well known for their acrobatic abilities, commonly leaping out of the ocean and spinning up to seven times per leap! Bottlenose dolphins are also very common, famously known for their “smiling” beak. If you would like to read more about dolphins in Hawaii, you can visit our Ultimate Guide to Dolphins in Oahu page!
2. Sea Turtles: A Nice Appearance
Seeing sea turtles is also a common sight to see during our dolphin tour in Oahu. Five types of sea turtles swim in Hawaiian waters, but only one out of the five shows their face more often near the shores of Oahu. The five types of sea turtles in Hawaii are the Hawaiian green sea turtle, the hawksbill sea turtle, the leatherback sea turtle, the olive ridley sea turtle, and the loggerhead sea turtle. The one that shows its face more commonly than not is the Hawaiian green sea turtle. Hawaiian green sea turtles can weigh over 350 pounds (158.8 kg) and grow up to 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m).
Their diets consist of jellyfish, other small invertebrates, but as they get older, the more they become more herbivorous, eating macroalgae or seaweed primarily. Their lifespan can range anywhere from around 60 to 70 years old! When it comes to their nesting location, over 95 percent of Hawaiian green sea turtles nest in the French Frigate Shoals, which is located in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, one of the world’s largest fully protected marine conservation areas, estimated to be around 582, 578 square miles. For comparison, that is over the size of two Frances!
3. Whales: A Pleasant Surprise
Whales are more of a seasonal sighting, as they only show up during the winter season, from around December to the beginning of April. There are many types of whale species that live in the Hawaiian waters, but there is one main species of whale that is seen way more commonly than the others, and that would be the humpback whale.
These massive creatures typically grow up to around 46-56 feet (14-17 meters) and weigh around 35 metric tons. The reason humpback whales come to Hawaii during this time is that they migrate, swimming a six-week journey from Alaska to Hawaii, migrating around 6,000 miles annually, making it one of the longest migrations of any mammal. The purpose of these great migrations is to mate, rest, give birth, and nurse their offspring. The oceans of Hawaii are safer and warmer for the young ones to grow and develop the necessary skills to survive.
4. Monk Seals: A Lucky Spot
Not as common as the other marine life on this list, but Hawaiian monk seals are a sighting that is possible to come across. Hawaiian monk seals weigh up to around 400 to 600 lbs (181.5 to 272.1 kg) and grow up to six to seven feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters) long. They live along the Hawaii archipelago, and unfortunately, one of the most endangered seal species in the world.
Thankfully, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has put laws and regulations in place to help protect Hawaiian monk seals. These rules and regulations involve staying at least 50 feet (around 15 meters) away, on land and water. Regarding mother seals and their pups, you have to stay at least 150 feet (around 45 meters) away, as they are more territorial. Not only does this help protect the Hawaiian monk seals, but it also helps the people stay away from them as they are not pets, but wild animals, and can be unpredictable. When it comes to their diet, they are also known as “generalist” feeders, as they eat a wide variety of foods, including fish, squid, crustaceans, and more.
5: A bunch of Other Marine Life
Not only are there well-known big shots that you can see during our dolphin watching and snorkeling tour, but you also have the chance of seeing a multitude of other marine life. This can include local Hawaiian fish, different types of starfish, such as the cushion star and Catala’s star, puffer fish, needlefish, eels(though they rarely leave the rocky areas), and rarer sightings, such as tiger sharks, ocean sunfish, manta rays, and flying fish!
Experiencing Marine Life in Oahu
Dolphin watching in Hawaii is a bucket list activity for many who come to Oahu. But dolphin watching is not the only thing that should be looked forward to, as not only do we have many other activities to accompany our dolphin watching and snorkeling tour, which you can book from our website, but sightseers can also look forward to the chance of experiencing the spectacle of seeing a multitude of other local marine life within the Hawaiian ocean!