Rare sighting of Risso’s dolphins off Big Island leave tour guides in awe

Hawaiian Adventures Kona tour boat was on the water for about an hour before the crew made a sighting offshore of the Big Island that left them excited and in disbelief.

At about 9:45 a.m. on April 17, the crew along with 26 guests aboard a 46-foot catamaran, spotted a pod of six Risso’s dolphins about 10 miles offshore. Capt. Andrew Aggergaard and crew member Olivia Miller said this was the first time seeing these animals during their years working in Kona waters.

Miller said it took her a couple of minutes to figure out what the species was as they were still far away from them.

“When I saw their characteristic white heads I immediately yelled up at the captain,” Miller said.

Employed as a naturalist, Miller educates guests about wildlife along the Kona Coast during the tours. She said Risso’s are not typically seen near Hawai‘i’s coastline as they spend their time in deep water. She said: “They are more open ocean creatures.”

Risso’s dolphins are the fourth largest dolphin in Hawaiian waters and are distinguishable by their unique coloration and large dorsal fin.

While most of the guests were unfamiliar with this dolphin species, Miller said they got excited when they saw the crew’s reaction.

“I think they understood the gravity of the sighting,” Miller said, who has spent four years working offshore in Hawai‘i.

One of the few tour companies that focus on whale and dolphin watching year-round, Miller said they’ve recently seen sperm whales and pilot whales, which are residents of the Kona Coast. The crew has also seen rough-toothed dolphins and pan-tropical spotted dolphins.

Wednesday was a perfect day to spot wildlife as the ocean was calm and skies were clear.

Miller said she gets excited to see new wildlife all the time. “I actually said ‘I’d love to see Risso’s this year,’ and saw them two days later.”

The pod cruised along with the catamaran, known as Artemis, allowing those aboard to snap photos of the rare sighting.