Nai’a is the Hawaiian name for dolphin. Unlike the famous humpback whales, dolphins can be found in Maui all year round. There are four species of dolphins found in Maui 1)bottle-nose dolphin, 2)rough-toothed dolphin, 3) spotted dolphin, and 4)spinner dolphin. The two most popular species of dolphins found in Maui are the spinner and bottle-nose dolphins.
The spinner dolphins are the most observed species and usually in pods of 50 to 150. During the day, spinner dolphins enjoy resting in sheltered bays along the coast. They maintain such large pods for protection from predators such as tiger sharks. Spinning is one attribute believed to be a vital part of the communication within the group and helps keep the pod together. At night, the spinner dolphins are foraging in the deep channels between the islands. Their favorite food are flying fish and squid.
The bottle-nose dolphins are up to ten feet long. They have rounded forehead or melon and easily identified with their amicable expression. They are usually seen in small groups and spend most of their time in the channels between the islands but will sometimes approach passing boats just like the photo below.
It is important to remember that … Whenever approaching dolphins, resting or playing, it is important that observers respect their environment. Make sure that the process of observing and interacting with them does not disrupt their natural behavior. Disrupting dolphins natural behavior can disperse the pod, which could ultimately lead to increased stress and even death.
