The Hawaiian Islands are known for their warm waters which makes the surrounding ocean the ideal habitat for a whole host of beautiful marine life of all shapes, colors and sizes! These creatures are fairly easy to spot, especially if you indulge in one of Hawaii’s most popular recreational activities – scuba diving! Let’s take a closer look of some of Hawaii’s marine life.
Humpback Whales
Whale spotting is one of the most popular seasonal activities in Hawaii. Thousands of the sea dwelling mammals visit Hawaii every year from November through to March. This is the longest seasonal migration in the animal kingdom and whales will come from as far afield as Alaska. There are many great spots around Hawaii for whale spotting including Puukohola Heiau which quite literally translates to ‘Hill of the Whale’! Boat trips also run during the Winter months to spot the whales at sea. Seeing these behemoths breaching the surface of the ocean is a truly spectacular sight to behold!
Green Turtles
One of the most famous attractions in terms of sea life, is the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. This threatened species can be spotted in various points around the Hawaiian Islands including Kahaluu Beach and Hanauma Bay. Since the turtles are protected, it is important not to touch them if you do spot them while scuba diving. Living Ocean Scuba Hawaii actually offer a dedicated tour that is designed to spot the turtles in their natural habitat.
Manta Rays
Manta Rays are one of the largest species of fish in the ocean and have a wingspan of up to 20 feet. You are most likely to spot these magical creatures at night and they are attracted to light, so shining spotlights into the ocean is one of the best ways to increase your chances of getting to see one. They are pretty friendly and unlike some other species of Rays the Manta Ray does not have a stinger.
Fish
There are thousands of species of fish living in Hawaiian waters and approximately 20% of these are actually unique to Hawaii. Some of the popular species that divers spot often include clown fish, bandit angelfish, puffer-fish and Hawaii’s state fish the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa!
Spinner Dolphins
One of the most common creatures that you will spot off the coast of Hawaii is the Spinner Dolphin. These acrobatic dolphins love to jump out of the water and spin through the air. There are several pods of spinner dolphins off the coast of the big island and the best way to enjoy their acrobatic antics is on a boat. The dolphins are very playful and will often chase your boat so that they can ride the wake. A truly memorable experience to witness!
Sharks
There are a substantial number of sharks living in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, there are more than 40 different species! However, only a small handful of these are frequently spotted close to the shore. These are the White Tipped Reef Shark, The Gray Reef Shark, the Galapagos Shark, Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, Sandbar Sharks and Tiger Sharks. The only truly aggressive species are the Galapagos and Tiger Sharks, the others are only likely to attack a diver if they are provoked, they are more likely to keep their distance. Shark diving is available off the coast of Oahu if you are so inclined.
These are just some of the stunning creatures that inhabit the waters around Hawaii! There are also a wealth of shellfish, plants, sponges, crustaceans and more. Scuba diving should definitely be at the top of your to do list when you next visit Hawaii.
