When and where to see it
Common dolphins are a winter and spring species here, seen mainly from December to May. In the spring 2017 log they were the animal recorded most often, on 10 of 15 trips.
They are fast and restless, often chasing small schooling fish, and big groups can spread out over a wide area of sea.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common dolphin | January: main season | February: main season | March: main season | April: main season | May: main season | June: rarely seen | July: rarely seen | August: rarely seen | September: rarely seen | October: rarely seen | November: rarely seen | December: main season |
How to recognise it
Look for the hourglass pattern on the side: a yellowish patch in front and a grey one behind, crossing below the dorsal fin, under a dark back. The beak is long and slim, and the fin is tall and pointed.
Hourglass flanks
A yellowish patch in front, a grey patch behind.
Slim beak
Long and thin, darker than the throat.
Big groups
Dozens to hundreds, with lots of leaping.
| Length | 1.7–2.4 m |
|---|---|
| Weight | Usually 70–110 kg |
| Food | Small schooling fish and squid |
| Dives | Usually short and shallow |
| Groups | Dozens to hundreds |
| IUCN Red List | Least concern |
Seen off Calheta in spring 2017
Trips from Calheta with this species in the spring 2017 sightings log (10 of 15):
16 February, 12 March, 18 March, 11 April, 14 April, 16 April, 17 April, 18 April, 19 April, 20 April
Tips for a good sighting
With big groups it pays to stop and let the dolphins pass rather than steer into them. Their splashes show from far away, so on calm days watch the horizon for white water.
How boats should behave around whales and dolphins is in responsible whale watching, and the trips from the marina are in whale and dolphin watching.
Read next
- Atlantic spotted dolphinFast, playful and more spotted with age; a summer favourite.
- Bottlenose dolphinBig, grey and curious; some come back to the same waters every year.
- Short-finned pilot whaleThe winter regular, often resting in tight groups at the surface.
- Whale watchingSpecies by month, boats from the marina and how to choose a trip.