O’ahu Swim with Whales
~Short-finned Pilot Whales in Hawaii~
Top 5 Fascinating Facts About Pilot Whales in Hawai‘i
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They’re dolphins in disguise.
Despite their name, pilot whales are actually large members of the dolphin family—second in size only to orcas. -
Unique to Hawai‘i.
Short-finned pilot whales in Hawai‘i are genetically distinct from other populations in the Pacific, forming their own island-based family lines. -
Social creatures with a matriarchal twist.
These whales form tight-knit pods of 25 to 50, typically with one mature male and multiple females—who may stay in the same pod for life. -
Deep divers and fast movers.
Often called the cheetahs of the sea, pilot whales can dive deep and reach speeds of up to 36 km/h. -
Unbreakable bonds—sometimes to a fault.
Their strong social connections may be why they are more prone to mass strandings than other cetaceans, especially in Hawai‘i.
“The pilot whales are taking a time-out. Basking beneath the morning sun, they look like a raft of giant ebony logs, with just their dorsal fins and blowholes bobbing above gently lapping waters.
It would be easy for passing whale watchers to get the wrong impression, for these intelligent, powerfully built animals are far from idle. This is a well earned rest , having spent the pre-dawn hours chasing squid off a Hawaiian coast. It was a successful night; one they are quietly digesting.” National Geographic Crittercam catches Pilot Whales
Top 5 Pilot Whale Behaviors You Might Witness in Hawai‘i
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Chorus-Line Traveling
Pilot whales often travel in broad formations—sometimes spanning up to 2 miles wide! These synchronized “chorus lines” are made up of subgroups organized by age or sex. Look for lobtailing, spyhopping, and even curious approaches toward boats. -
Independent Feeding Styles
During foraging, individuals spread out and feed independently, even if the group appears to be moving in the same general direction. It’s a rare chance to observe their unique deep-diving hunting techniques in action. -
Social Loafing at the Surface
When “loafing,” pilot whales rest at the surface nearly motionless—often touching one another. These calm, tight groups may display affectionate behavior, mating, or spyhopping. Entire pods have been seen logging peacefully, sometimes allowing boats to drift quietly nearby. -
Matriarchal Menopause
Like orcas and humans, short-finned pilot whales are one of the few species known to go through menopause. Older females may stop reproducing to help raise grand-calves and support their pod, showing a deep investment in family survival over personal reproduction. -
Boat-Friendly Curiosity
While some cetaceans avoid vessels, pilot whales may actively approach boats, especially during social or loafing periods. Their slow, confident surfacing and audible blows make them unforgettable to encounter on respectful wildlife tours.
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus
• One of two pilot whale species
• Long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas not found in HI
Description
• Second largest dolphin species behind the orca
• Born at 4-5’, max 24’ and 6600lbs
• Pectoral fin is 1/6 of body length
• G. melas is 1/5 of body length
• Robust bodies with a large, bulbous melon which is more dramatic in males
• Dorsal fins are short, wide, and falcated with a rounded point
• Coloration is dark gray/black with pale patches on the
chest, eyes, and saddle patch
Habitat
• Tropical and temperate waters globally
• G. melas found in southern polar and Atlantic arctic/temperate
• Found mostly in deep, offshore waters
• Near shore in areas with deep continental or island slope
Behavior
• Groups of 15-50 to hundreds over a large area
• Small social units lead by a “pilot” matriarch
• includes her offspring and males from other families
• Highly social and maintains strong bonds
• Forages mostly at night when deep-dwelling prey rise
towards the surface
• day time feeding means deeper and longer dives
• Daytime is mostly spent resting near the surface
• logging: lying flat at the surface
• Spy hops to view their surroundings
Multispecies interactions
• Seen around large whales and other dolphins
• Not always positive interactions
• Regularly seen being followed by oceanic white tip
sharks
• interspecific interactions: the sharks follows the whales, taking advantage of discarded prey scraps
• dives below 200m into the mesopelagic have been documented in both species showing similar depth and times suggesting exploitation of the same prey
Most mass stranded cetaceans around the world
• Both species are known for mass strandings reaching hundreds to 1000 animals
• It is believed the strong familial bonds result in the group staying together when one or several strand
• Many did not have cause to strand but remained with their pod
• Stranded animals will call out in distress, leading non-stranded members remain in the area and become at risk of stranding
When Is the Best Time to Swim with Pilot Whales in Hawai‘i?
While sightings of short-finned pilot whales can happen year-round in Hawai‘i, your best chance to swim alongside them—ethically and on their terms—is during their calm, social “loafing” periods, typically late morning to early afternoon. During these moments, pilot whales rest near the surface, often close together, touching or slowly drifting in a relaxed state. This is when respectful in-water encounters are most likely.
These loafing behaviors may follow active hunting or traveling in what are known as “chorus-line” formations—broad ranks that can stretch up to 2 miles wide! When feeding, they spread out and dive independently, making them harder to approach in the water. But once the hunt is over, they regroup and rest, sometimes allowing boats to drift near without disturbance.
On rare occasions, entire pods may allow a quiet and respectful swim-along. In these moments, guests may witness:
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Spyhopping (poking their heads above water to look around)
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Lobtailing (slapping their tails on the surface)
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Nursing or mating behavior, particularly in calm water
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And even the presence of elder matriarchs, who go through menopause to help raise younger generations—a rare trait shared with humans and only five other known species
While encounters are never guaranteed (this is the wild, after all), small group tours led by biologists offer the best chance to witness these behaviors and understand them in real time, without disturbing the pod.
👉 Pro tip: choose a swim with whales tour that emphasizes ethical wildlife interactions and has a reputation for patience, respect, and conservation-minded practices.
Ethical Encounters — On Their Terms
At Wild Side, we approach all wildlife with respect and patience. Our small-group charters allow for quiet, unintrusive viewing opportunities, creating a space where natural behavior can unfold without pressure. We don’t chase or encircle — we wait, observe, and let the animals decide if they want to engage.