Two killer whales surfaced without warning just feet from a 16-foot fishing boat off the Kona Coast. While Humpbacks are common in Hawaii’s winter waters, Orcas are rare. The fishermen were stunned. Most Hawaii visitors don’t expect to see killer whales (Orcas) at all, especially not this close. But this wasn’t a dolphin, and it wasn’t a false killer whale. It was something far rarer.
Why killer whales don’t belong in Hawaii’s waters.
Killer whales aren’t technically “supposed” to be here. They’re not native, not part of any local pod, and not on the usual list of creatures you might spot off the coast of Kauai or the Big Island.
When Orcas do appear in Hawaii, it’s a “fluke.” Marine biologists classify them as transients in our Pacific waters. They’re just passing through. There’s no resident population, and sightings are so rare that most boat tours don’t even mention the possibility. According to Cascadia Research Collective, which monitors Hawaii’s marine mammals, confirmed appearances are few and far between and are just enough to grab headlines when one finally happens.
How this rare sighting stunned visitors.
The footage shows the Orcas surfacing just feet from the boat and sticking around long enough to be filmed. One visitor who watched the video wrote to us, “I’ve seen things in the water here that I still don’t have words for. That’s what makes Hawaii magical. It always surprises you.”
That feeling comes up a lot. From manta rays swirling under a night sky to sea turtles drifting just offshore, Hawaii has a way of serving up wild moments when you least expect them. This one just happened to come with dorsal fins.
Hawaii’s ocean is changing in ways visitors will notice.
Warmer waters, migrating prey, and disrupted currents are all reshaping who shows up in Hawaii’s backyard.
We’ve already seen whales behaving differently and more strange shark encounters than before. What’s in the ocean today isn’t always what was here ten years ago. This Orca sighting is rare, but the bigger question is what comes next and whether we’re ready for it.
If you’re heading out on the water during your trip, remember this.
Hawaii’s ocean doesn’t always follow the script. You won’t likely see Orcas, but the chance of encountering something unexpected is more real than ever.
Tour operators told us this isn’t a trend yet, but it does reflect how unpredictable the ocean has become. Whether you’re snorkeling, on a dolphin cruise, or just scanning the horizon, moments like this one remind us who’s running the show out there.
Rare, but not impossible.
This is just the second confirmed Orca sighting off the Big Island in recent years. The last was in 2022. In both cases, the Orcas were traveling solo or in pairs and came out of nowhere.
It’s a long shot. But not out of the question. These animals cover huge distances, and Hawaii isn’t entirely off their map. They might not return for years—or they could be back next season.
What visitors are saying about Hawaii’s changing ocean.
We hear from a lot of readers who’ve had strange or unforgettable moments in Hawaii’s waters. Here are a few that stuck with us.
“We saw something breach near our boat on Maui, and the captain just said that definitely was not a humpback.”
“I was paddleboarding near Poipu when a massive shadow moved underneath. It wasn’t a turtle or a ray. I still think about it.”
“Our snorkeling guide said they saw a false killer whale the week before. I had to Google what that even was.”
Different islands. Different trips. But the same message keeps coming through. Hawaii’s ocean feels a little less predictable. And a little more wild.
Share your unexpected ocean encounter.
Have you ever seen something in Hawaii’s waters that stopped you in your tracks? We want to hear about it. Tell us what the ocean showed you—whether it made you gasp, smile, or swim the other way.
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To an Orca wouldn’t a sea turtle be like a oyster is to a human?
Eat the inside and spit out the shell. Sorry Orca’s are also a protected endangered species. Let’s see how nature affects this what they call Hawaiian culture.
It’s my understanding that there are two types of Orcas, resident, and transient. Resident travel in pods and are less aggressive, whereas transients travel as individuals but are known to hunt in groups. It’s been noted that transient orcas are relatively quiet while the resident orcas tend to talk a lot. Supposedly, there seem to be minor physical differences between the two, such as the placement of the top fin.
Could it be the two orcas are a breeding pair of transient Orcas?