Striped dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Bold dark stripe from eye to flank, big acrobatic leaps. Warm blue water only.

Stats

At a glance

LENGTH
8–9 ft
WEIGHT
330 lbs (females), 350 lbs (males) — NOAA
LIFESPAN
Up to 58 yrs (NOAA)
DIET
Fish and cephalopods (squid, octopus)
RARITY
Uncommon — offshore only
SEASON
Summer–autumn

Length/weight/lifespan/diet: NOAA Fisheries species page →

How to ID

What to look for

Bold dark stripe from eye to flank, big acrobatic leaps. Warm blue water only.
BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR
High vertical leapsFast travelling groupsAvoids vessels more than other dolphins
When

Best months to see

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Archive

Last 30 days

Total seen
0
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.

NC
Newport Coastal Adventure
2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale
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NW
Newport Whales
2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale
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DL
Davey's Locker
2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale
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HB
Harbor Breeze
LONG BEACH · No sightings reported yet today
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DW
Dana Wharf
1 common dolphin
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SD
San Diego Whale Watch
250 common dolphins
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P
Paul Grogan
Covers SoCal whale watching, ocean conditions, and the best departure ports on the Southern California coast.