Northern right whale dolphin

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

Low-angle belly-flop leapsNo dorsal finMixed groups with Pacific white-sided dolphins

When

Best months to see

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Last 30 days

Total seen

Days active

0/30

Last seen

Not seen

DAILY SIGHTING COUNTHOVER A BAR

TODAY

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Where to go (operators publish dated sighting reports)

Newport & Long Beach operators share daily trip counts — you can see what was spotted before you book. Other operators don't publish daily reports.

Newport Coastal Adventure

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Newport Whales

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Davey's Locker

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Harbor Breeze

LONG BEACH · No sightings reported yet today

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Dana Wharf

1 common dolphin

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San Diego Whale Watch

250 common dolphins

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