Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Common dolphins are seen every year off the West Coast of Scotland.

They are seen in larger groups than bottlenose dolphins and these superpods can contain over a hundred of individual dolphins.They are the most abundant cetacean in the world. They enjoy bow riding and leaping along side boats, so they often approach moving boats. They are highly social creatures with tan or yellowish patch on the side of their body, making them easy to identify.

How to be responsible when watching wildlife >

 

Discover more about the Common Dolphin

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

All year round but closer to shore in summer.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

West coast of Scotland

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

Common dolphins are smaller that bottlenose dolphins and can be identified by their distinctive hour-glass marking on their sides.

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

All year round but closer to shore in summer.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

West coast of Scotland

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

Common dolphins are smaller that bottlenose dolphins and can be identified by their distinctive hour-glass marking on their sides.

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

All year round but closer to shore in summer.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

West coast of Scotland

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

Common dolphins are smaller that bottlenose dolphins and can be identified by their distinctive hour-glass marking on their sides.

Book your opportunity to see this wildlife

Wilderness Scotland

Wilderness Scotland is an award-winning adventure travel and ecotourism company. We specialise in offering an inspiring range of guided, self-guide...
Read more >

Scottish Seabird Centre

Get closer to nature and enjoy a great day out at the seaside at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, just 35 minutes from Edinburgh.   The...
Read more >

Islay Sea Adventures

Islay Sea Adventures offers a unique way to explore Islay through our wide variety of trips. • Wildlife and Sight-Seeing • Fishing • Luxury Day Tri...
Read more >

Hebrides Cruises

Witness the rare wildlife and stunning scenery of the west coast of Scotland, the Hebrides and St Kilda aboard our specialist wildlife cruises, wit...
Read more >

St Hilda Sea Adventures

St Hilda Sea Adventures provides small ship cruising and wildlife holidays on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland.  Our cruises, among the breatht...
Read more >

Speyside Wildlife - Wildlife Identification Training

If you’ve always wanted to know what the bird calls are that you hear whilst out walking in our Scottish National Parks, or to feel confident that...
Read more >

Bella Jane Boat Trips

Experience the unforgettable on the Isle of Skye with Bella Jane cruises to the world famous Loch Coruisk and the seal colony in the heart of the s...
Read more >

Wild West Coast

Our trips leave from Lochaline, Tobermory and Oban. We always put the wildlife first on all of our small scale trips. Whether you want to photograp...
Read more >

42Cycling

EXPERIENCE THE HIGHLANDS ON TWO WHEELS WITH 42CYCLING Unveil the enchanting beauty of the Scottish Highlands as you pedal through its wonders with...
Read more >

Seabirds-and-Seals - The Original Noss Boat Tours

Join Marie, Brian and crew - all Shetland born and bred - aboard The Noss Boat 'Seabird', a very comfortable twin engine catamaran with the most sp...
Read more >
1 2