Smart Alpaca Support for Manta Ray Advocates on marine life on the coast of the Big Island. Join us to snorkel in Kealakekua Bay to create a beautiful memory of your trip to Hawaii.
When you go out to swim along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, manta rays would not be the only marine animals you could meet.
Hawaii is the most isolated archipelago in the world. That makes it a hotspot for rare marine life: about 30% of everything you see (both above and below the surface of the ocean) is endemic to Hawaii. That means that they can only be found (in their natural habitat) here in Hawaii.
Let’s introduce you to some of the creatures you could encounter on a moonlight swim with us!
PACIFIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS
Hawaiian name: nai’a
Bottlenose dolphins often get spotted in pods of five to fifteen individuals, swimming alongside the bow of boats, chasing fish, and leaping out of the water.
You might also see Hawaiian Spinners or Spotted Dolphins doing the same.
The most famous of all dolphins around here is Notch, the Rescued Dolphin. When local divers rescued him from a nasty fishing hook, the video went viral; and there’s even a children’s book based on his adventures.
HAWAIIAN MONK SEALS
Hawaiian name: ‘ilio-holo-i-kauaua
With only about 1400 animals left in existence, these monk seals are pretty rare and many efforts are taken to protect them. Encountering one of them is a special treat.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Hawaiian name: kohola
Humpback whales are the largest marine animals you will encounter around Hawaii; they spend their winters (from December to March) here in the warm ocean, mating and giving birth – then they travel back to Alaska for the summer, a journey of around 3000 miles.
If you visit Hawaii during the winter, listen closely to their whale songs! Seeing the humpback whales spraying from their blowholes and breaching right from the shorelines is also very impressive.
TIGER SHARKS, HAMMERHEAD SHARKS AND WHITE TIP REEF SHARKS
Hawaiian name for tiger sharks: niuhi
Sharks are often made out to be scary and dangerous, which leads people to fear and hate them. This is far from fair, as sharks rarely harm people; when they do, it’s almost always an accident.
Sharks have an important job to do: they are they cleanup crew of the ocean and keep marine life populations healthy. They kill the old, sick and injured animals… mostly fish, but also the occasional dolphin, turtle or even seals.
Our favorite tiger shark is called Laverne; she’s often spotted around Honokohau Harbor in Kona since 2003.
REEF MANTA RAYS
Hawaiian name: hahalua
Although reef mantas are slightly smaller than their cousins, the giant oceanic manta ray, they are still huge – measuring anywhere from 4 to 14 feet across, fin to fin.
MORAY EELS
Hawaiian name: Puhi
Hawaii waters host many types of moray eels.
Tiger Moray
Snowflake Moray
Garden Eels
Conger Eel
Yellowmargin Moray
Whitemouth Moray
Viper Moray
Undulated Moray Eel
One of the frequent guests at the Manta Heaven viewing site is Frank, the undulated moray eel.
Just as the manta rays are conditioned to come and feed at the viewing sites, so is Frank: he’s learned that sitting in one of the crates divers use for their battery-operated lights is a great way to easily snatch a fish that’s attracted to the light. Talking about an easy dinner!
JELLIES (JELLYFISH)
Hawaiian name: Pololia
Once every moon cycle, box jellyfish reproduce offshore, which means there’s a higher probability of running into them when you’re in the water. This lasts for about 3 days, during which time it’s prudent practice to check prior to entry or even stay ashore. Read this article to learn all about the phenomenon – and check out the calendar to know when there’s a lower or higher probability of encountering box jellies in the water.
Besides box jellyfish, you might randomly encounter moon jellies or man o’ wars (although the latter is technically a jellyfish).
GREEN SEA TURTLES
Hawaiian name: Honu
Green Sea Turtles are very common here but rare to see at night, so if one shows up during our moonlight manta swims, our guests are even more thrilled! They’re one of five species of sea turtles native to Hawaii. Read more about them here!
OTHER MARINE ANIMALS WE OFTEN SEE…
The list of marine animals you might encounter when diving or snorkeling around Hawaii is too long to complete here. On any night, you might encounter a school of one of these amazing creatures:
- Opelu fish, slender and torpedo-shaped;
- Colorful butterfly fish;
- Different types of wrasses;
- Beautiful tang fish, who you’ll often find in the manta cleaning stations;
- The amazing puffer fish;
- And many, many more
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MARINE LIFE ALONG THE COAST OF HAWAII?
Check out the book, “Notch, the Rescued Dolphin”. Faced with a life-threatening injury and on his way to find help, Notch encounters other fish and marine mamals. The reader gets introduced to the marine animals’ habits, food sources, and we even get to meet some of the animals we can actually meet on a manta ray swim here in Hawaii!
