Marine mammal
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
The fast, playful dolphin of the Eastern Cape coast, moving in big pods that follow the sardine run and baitfish shoals.
Also known as dolphin, dolphins
- Typical size
- Adults ~2-2.5 m
- Habitat
- Inshore and coastal waters, in pods
- Depth
- Surface waters
The long-beaked common dolphin is the dolphin most often seen working the Eastern Cape inshore, travelling in large, energetic pods. Marked with a distinctive hourglass pattern of tan and grey on the flanks, they herd baitfish into balls and are a signature sight of the annual sardine run.
Curious and acrobatic, they will often ride a boat's bow wave and pass through while divers are down. They are a welcome, harmless presence on the reef.