Northern right whale dolphin
Lissodelphis borealis
No dorsal fin at all — a black eel-like body skipping low. Often mixed in with Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Stats
At a glance
LENGTH
6.5–10 ft
WEIGHT
130–254 lbs (NOAA)
LIFESPAN
About 42 yrs (NOAA)
DIET
Small fish (hake, lanternfish) and cephalopods (squid, octopus)
RARITY
Uncommon — winter and spring
SEASON
Nov–Apr
Length/weight/lifespan/diet: NOAA Fisheries species page →
How to ID
What to look for
No dorsal fin at all — a black eel-like body skipping low. Often mixed in with Pacific white-sided dolphins.
BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR
When
Best months to see
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Archive
Last 30 days
This chart includes numerical reports only. Uncounted sightings do not appear in its totals; see the daily archive for presence reports.
Numerically reported
0
Days with counts
0/30 reported days
Last numeric report
None recorded
DAILY SIGHTING COUNTHOVER A BAR
OCT 25
Book
Where to go (operators publish dated sighting reports)
We monitor public trip reports across Newport Beach, Long Beach, Dana Point and San Diego. Reporting schedules vary; summaries show the latest available report. Newport's shared feed is counted once.
NC
Newport Coastal Adventure
from $84 · priced as of 2026-08-03
1,100 common dolphins · report 2026-10-25
Booking handled by newportcoastaladventure.rezdy.com
NW
Newport Whales
from $41 · priced as of 2026-08-03
1,100 common dolphins · report 2026-10-25
DL
Davey's Locker
from $41 · priced as of 2026-08-03
1,100 common dolphins · report 2026-10-25
HB
Harbor Breeze
from $35 · priced as of 2026-08-03
12 orcas · report 2026-10-25
DW
Dana Wharf
from $55 · priced as of 2026-08-03
Common dolphin: Present, count unknown · report 2026-10-25
SD
San Diego Whale Watch
from $58 · price not verified recently
500 common dolphins · 13 humpback whales · 3 bottlenose dolphins · report 2026-10-25
Booking handled by fareharbor.com