Cetacean
Bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Pods of bottlenose dolphins regularly approach and interact with divers at Cabo Pearce, sometimes staying with a group for an entire dive — one of the more reliably playful cetacean encounters in the region.
- Max size
- Up to 3.8m
- Habitat
- Open water and coastal points
Best places to dive with Bottlenose dolphin
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Seen from the boat far more than on scuba. Snorkel encounters are permitted but regulated (snorkel only, two swimmers maximum, 15-minute limit); scuba with dolphins is not allowed.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | not seen |
| July | not seen |
| August | not seen |
| September | not seen |
| October | not seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Pods very often approach and stay with divers for extended periods — one of the most reliable dolphin encounters in the region.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident year-round at both shoals; large pods during the Sardine Run.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident in the Sharm and Tiran area year-round, seen from boats and occasionally underwater. Not site-guaranteed.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Bottlenose dolphins visit the passes and can turn up on a dive, but Fakarava is not the reliable dolphin site that Rangiroa's Tiputa pass is. Treat encounters as a bonus, not an expectation.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Encountered on crossings and occasionally underwater at Wolf and Darwin.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Bottlenose dolphins are frequent around Tofo's waters, most often encountered from the boat and sometimes on dives.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Bottlenose Dolphins entertain our guests at Socorro — Nautilus Liveaboards
- Best Dive Sites in Socorro: Oceanic Mantas & Sharks — Nautilus Liveaboards