Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is home to a diverse array of marine life, including the charismatic common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). These magnificent creatures can often be spotted in our waters, delighting visitors and locals alike with their playful antics and graceful movements.

Common dolphins are known for their distinctive coloration, featuring a striking yellowish-tan hourglass pattern on their sides and a light grey back. These medium-sized dolphins can grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 325 pounds, making them an impressive sight when they breach the surface of Plymouth Sound.

Fascinating Facts About Common Dolphins

  1. Social Butterflies: Common dolphins are highly social animals, often seen in large pods that can number in the hundreds or even thousands. If you’re lucky, you might witness these pods engaging in cooperative hunting behaviour, working together to catch fish in Plymouth Sound.
  2. Acrobatic Displays: These dolphins are known for their playful nature and acrobatic abilities. Keep an eye out for them leaping out of the water or riding the bow waves of boats, a behaviour known as bow-riding.
  3. Speed Demons: Common dolphins are incredibly fast swimmers, capable of reaching speeds up to 37 miles per hour. This agility serves them well when hunting or evading predators in the waters of our National Marine Park.
  4. Vocal Communicators: If you listen carefully, you might hear common dolphins whistling to each other as they swim. These vocalisations are part of their complex communication system.
  5. Year-Round Visitors: While it’s more likely to find common dolphin in the warmer seasons, our flippery-friends have been known to surface in the winter – remember when they visited us over Christmas break in 2024?

Conservation and Observation

The presence of common dolphins in Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is a testament to the area’s rich biodiversity and the importance of marine conservation efforts. As visitors to the park, we have the privilege of observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

If you see any dolphins when on the water in Plymouth Sound, it’s important not to disturb them – keep your distance (of at least 100m), stay quiet and use binoculars for a closer looks. They are curious creatures, so they may approach you, if they do try to move away slowly or if you are on a boat, reduce your speed and keep a steady course approaching from the side, avoid separating any groups. Remember we are visitors in their space, it is essential to follow all guidelines provided to ensure the well-being of these marine marvels. By doing so, we can continue to enjoy the presence of common dolphins in our water for generations to come.

For any additional information on how to act around marine mammals please visit: Disturbance of Wildlife and Habitats | Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries Marine Protected Area