Spinner Dolphin

The spinner dolphin is a small slender dolphin with a long beak and usually a three-part colour pattern of dark back, grey flanks and pale belly. It is famous for spinning longitudinally during high aerial leaps, although not every leap includes a spin (NOAA Fisheries; specialist cetacean guide).

It inhabits tropical and subtropical seas, with both oceanic and island-associated populations. Groups often rest in sheltered daytime waters and move offshore at night to feed on small mesopelagic fish, squid and shrimps. Social groups can be large and mixed with spotted dolphins (NOAA Fisheries). It is Nationally Endangered (Thailand Red Data 2025).