WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHIN

Lagenorhynchus albirostris

Length: 2–2,5 meters
Weight: 130–230 kilograms
Worldwide population: Unknown
Life expectancy: About 25 years

White-sided dolphins are closely related to white-beaked dolphins, but are somewhat smaller.

They can easily be distinguished by their coloration. The back and the flippers are dark, almost black, and the sides are grey. The identifying features are the yellow and white stripes and spots on their sides.

Like other dolphins, white-sided dolphins do not remain submerged for long and their diet also consists primarily of various small fish, such as mackerel and herring, and squid. They stay close to the surface and, being extremely fast swimmers; they are constantly on the move. It can often be seen them leaping straight out of the water, landing on their sides.

White-sided dolphins are quite common in Icelandic waters. Mostly travelling in large groups, the most frequent sightings are off the South, South-West, West and North-West coasts. The estimated population size in Icelandic waters is around 35,000 - 38,000 animals.

These fun and curious creatures are often seen at our tours and swimm alongside our vessel.