Dolphins Wild & Free

Spinner Dolphin Pictures, Behaviors
(provided by the Wild Dolphin Foundation)

The Hawaiian name for dolphin is nai'a.  They are fun a magical creatures that have a playful and curious spirit. On the Kona Coast we have seen mostly Hawaiian Spinner dolphins are shaped and colored somewhat differently from other species of spinner dolphins.  There are other species of toothed dolphins enjoying the warm waters of Hawaii, the most common are the Hawaiian spinner, spotted (kiko), bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins. More rarely seen are members of the dolphin family, called whales but are more correctly pilot and false killer whales

Dolphins in Hawaii are commonly termed as "porpoise" by local folks, especially fishermen, who use the word "dolphin" when referring to the dolphin fish, or mahi mahi. So called for their high, spinning leaps, spinner dolphins are known as playful, eager bow-riders throughout much of their range.  On the Kona Coast, Hawaii, spinner dolphins are seen almost daily. They do not like being pursued but they they are fascinatingly curious and love to show off.

Information provided by Wild Dolphin Foundation