mermaid.kayleigh

Another week of picking up trash out of the ocean! The journey of trash in the ocean and how far it can travel is always so fascinating. Sadly, it can harm marine life on this journey so removing every little bit helps! I dream of the day when the ocean is clean. 😌 Mahalo everyone for cleaning up @KaimanaOceanSafari 💙 #marinedebris #kona #hawaii #cleanuptheocean #ocean #singleuseplastic

One week of picking up trash out of the ocean @KaimanaOceanSafari! While on tour looking for wildlife it’s very common for us to see trash so I like to show you guys what ends up in the ocean to raise awareness about marine debris. You can help by reducing your use of single use plastic & supporting companies that use recycled plastic or natural materials! 🌊🗑️♻️ #marinedebris #pickinguptrash #ocean #hawaii #kona #kailuakona #singleuseplastic

This was the 3rd time I saw orcas on this trip & clearly it never got old! They had been cruising around the area but when we looked back they were right there!! How would you react? ☺️💙 #orca #mexico #whalewatching #orcas #ocean #dolphins #whalewatch

My brain is still processing what we witnessed the other day but needless to say our group is incredibly grateful & still in awe to have gotten to see orcas in the wild! Such a mysterious, captivating, & impressive animal. I think many of us fell in love with this species as children watching Free Willy & nothing can prepare you for how it feels to see them in real life. Living wild, happy, & free the way it should be! I cant imagine these intelligent & complex animals being put in a small pool. Can’t wait to share more once my shark trips are over! Thank you so much mama ocean for the gifts. 💙🌊🐼🌈 #orca #dontbuyaticket #captivityiscruel #orcas #thanksbutnotanks #ocean

Though it’s always sad to know a whale has lost its life, a whale carcass supplies an ecosystem with an incredible amount of nutrients! I love witnessing the scavengers like sharks come in to feed at the surface. As it falls it’ll continue to feed the deep sea ecosystem of the sea floor. @KaimanaOceanSafari #deadwhale #tigershark #savesharks #kona #hawaii #ocean #whale

These seasonal schooling scalloped hammer head sharks can be seen totally randomly off the Kona coast from January -June! They are tricky to find with their little dorsals cutting through the surface but we are starting to see them more & more! @KaimanaOceanSafari 🔨🦈 #hammerhead #savesharks #ocean #hawaii #kona #kailuakona #hammerheadshark

The open ocean is so vast it can feel isolating. 😳 #thalassophobia #deepsea #openocean #scubadiving #ocean

Its always a good day when you see a whale shark! Which view do you prefer? They are the largest fish in the world, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 60 feet (18 meters). Despite their size, whale sharks are filter feeders, mainly consuming plankton, small fish, & other tiny organisms by swimming with their mouths open & filtering out food through their gills. They have distinct white spots & stripes on their bodies, which are like a fingerprint – no two whale sharks have the same pattern! Have you ever seen one & where? @KaimanaOceanSafari #whaleshark #savesharks #sharkdiving #sharkdiver #ocean #hawaii

If you have followed me for a while you know I always try to provide some natural protection for our little fish friends with the top of the pineapple we always serve on tours @KaimanaOceanSafari. 🍍🐟 Sadly, this little guy freaked out & took off before we could offer him a home. It always makes me a little sad to see such a small fish in a big open ocean but there is a circle of life that happens out here in the vast blue desert. 💙 Good luck little guy. #fish #smallfishinabigpond #ocean #hawaii #snorkeling #openocean

The day we saw not one but TWO oceanic manta rays!! Did you know oceanic manta rays can grow as wide as a school bus is long?! These gentle giants can reach up to 23 feet (7 meters) across and weigh over 5,000 pounds! Despite their massive size, they’re filter feeders, gliding through the ocean to scoop up tiny plankton. They’re the largest species of ray in the world & seeing one in the wild is truly unforgettable! Video by @camgrantphoto ✨ @KaimanaOceanSafari 💙 #MantaRay #oceanicmanta #kona #kailuakona #hawaii #oceansafari #ocean #bigisland #snorkel

I’m always grateful for a new sighting in Kona @KaimanaOceanSafari! Now after working here for 5 years it becomes harder & harder to see a new species! This was a good day :) #finwhale #kona #hawaii #whales #ocean #kailuakona #oceansafari

Every time I’m in one of those moments when an animal is just as curious about us as we are of them, I’m reminded why I spend my life in the ocean. These gray whales in San Ignacio were a huge reminder that we are a part of nature and not separate from it. That whales can adore us as we do them. Hearing the excited yells in everyone on the boat in the background is the icing on the cake. 🥹🐋✨ #greywhales #mexico #sanignacio #graywhales #ocean #whalewatching #whalewatch

An amazing moment from getting mugged by a whale last week @KaimanaOceanSafari! We can’t swim with them in Hawaii but sometimes they take interest in the boat & on this day @Elizabeth Morri Sides was able to put her camera in the water and get this shot! I do have a few spots left for my trip to Tonga to get to swim with these amazing animals! DM me for details to snag one! 🐋✨ #humpbackwhales #hawaii #whalewatch #ocean #kona #whalewatching #humpback

Constantly cringing at the sounds & voices I make when there are amazing wildlife encounters! 🤦🏼‍♀️ Yesterday we ran our last whale watch specific tour of the 2025 season @KaimanaOceanSafari! It’s been such an incredible season for the humpback whales & we are so grateful to everyone that came out! We’ll still be seeing a few humpback whales on our morning ocean safaris so feel free to come try your luck! 🐋💙 #humpbackwhales #hawaii #kona #whalewatch #whales #kailuakona

Do you have thalassaphobia? 😳 It’s the intense fear of deep bodies of water. 🌊 #ocean #thalassophobia #deepsea #openocean #snorkeling #diving

I love how blue sharks move through the water. They are such a curious species of shark that needs to thoroughly investigate their surroundings as they live in deeper water where they can go longer times without finding food. It’s hard not to think this species is cute when you see those big googly eyes but always keep in mind they are still very capable predators. I’m reminded of their abilities when I see them latch onto the fish head. They are a fairly easy shark species to learn how to redirect if you’re comfortable around sharks. I love getting to introduce people to them where they can get more up close experience with sharks! Would you ever swim with blue sharks? 💙🦈 #blueshark #savesharks #sharkdiving #snorkeling #sharkdiver #ocean #mexico

Being in the water with these incredible fish while they corralled the bait was mesmerizing & extremely impressive. This was in December from our mag bay adventure with @Nautilus Liveaboards & we’ll be with them again very soon for a new experience! Stay tuned 👀 Photos by @camgrantphoto #marlin #mexico #baitball #sealion #liveaboard #magdelenabay

Every moment with them is a blessing. 🖤 At the end of the day, it’s the experiences, people, & moments that fill you with passion & gratitude that makes your life rich. Moments like this I’ll cherish forever. #richlife #orca #mexico #ocean #WhaleWatching #orcas #whalewatch