Dusky Dolphins off Kaikoura, North Island, New Zealand by Peter Alfrey.
The destinations listed and linked below are the ones we believe are the best in the world to see dolphins. Many of these are also the best in the world to see Whales.
If there are any other destinations you think should be on the list then please Email us.
The destinations are listed alphabetically with very brief summaries. For more details click on the destination name.
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
Commerson's, Hourglass and Peale's help make this A Top Ten Destination.
Atlantic Odyssey
Dusky, Hourglass and (Pantropical) Spotted, a chance of Clymene, and an outside chance of Southern Right Whale Dolphin and Spectacled Porpoise.
Australia - Western
Close encounters with Bottlenose Dolphins at Monkey Mia.
Azores
Bottlenose, (Short-beaked) Common, Risso’s, (Atlantic) Spotted and Striped Dolphins.
Bahamas
One of the best places in the world to swim with dolphins; (Atlantic) Bottlenose and (Atlantic) Spotted.
Baja California - Mexico
Thousands of Bottlenose, (Short-beaked and Long-beaked) Common and Pacific White-sided Dolphins.
Cambodia
Irrawaddy Dolphin.
China - Hong Kong
'Pink' Indo-Pacific Humpback (Chinese White) Dolphin.
Dominica
Spinner and Spotted, and a chance of (Atlantic) Bottlenose and Fraser’s.
Dominican Republic
A chance of (Atlantic) Bottlenose, Fraser’s, Risso’s, Spinner and (Atlantic) Spotted.
Hawaii
A chance to snorkel or scuba-dive with Spinner Dolphins, and to see (Indo-Pacific) Bottlenose and Spotted, and possibly Rough-toothed.
Madeira
In certain conditions it is possible to swim with (Common) Bottlenose, (Short-beaked) Common and (Atlantic) Spotted, and to see Risso’s and
Striped.
Maldives
(Indo-Pacific) Bottlenose, Risso's, (Long-snouted) Spinner, (Pantropical) Spotted and Striped, plus a chance of (Common) Bottlenose, Fraser's
and Rough-toothed.
New Zealand
(Common) Bottlenose, Common, Dusky and Hector's.
(Western) Pacific Odyssey
Bottlenose, Risso’s, (Eastern) Spinner, (Pantropical) Spotted and Striped, and a chance of Fraser’s and Rough-toothed.
Peru - Northeastern (Iquitos)
Grey River and Pink River Dolphins.
Scotland
Bottlenose Dolphins from Chanonry Point or boats out of Cromarty in the Moray Firth.
Spain - Southern
Bottlenose, Common and Striped Dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar on boat Trips out of Tarifa.
Sri Lanka
A chance of Bottlenose, Risso's, (Long-snouted) Spinner, Spotted and Striped Dolphins.
