Dall's porpoise
Phocoenoides dalli
Stocky black-and-white, throws a rooster-tail spray. NOAA calls it the fastest swimmer among small cetaceans, reaching 34 mph over short distances.
Stats
At a glance
LENGTH
7–8 ft
WEIGHT
Up to ~440 lbs (NOAA)
LIFESPAN
15–20 yrs (NOAA)
DIET
Small schooling fish (anchovies, herring, hake), lanternfish, squid, octopus
RARITY
Uncommon — winter and spring
SEASON
Dec–May
Length/weight/lifespan/diet: NOAA Fisheries species page →
How to ID
What to look for
Stocky black-and-white, throws a rooster-tail spray. NOAA calls it the fastest swimmer among small cetaceans, reaching 34 mph over short distances.
BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR
When
Best months to see
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Archive
Last 30 days
This chart includes numerical reports only. Uncounted sightings do not appear in its totals; see the daily archive for presence reports.
Numerically reported
0
Days with counts
0/30 reported days
Last numeric report
None recorded
DAILY SIGHTING COUNTHOVER A BAR
SEP 17
Book
Where to go (operators publish dated sighting reports)
We monitor public trip reports across Newport Beach, Long Beach, Dana Point and San Diego. Reporting schedules vary; summaries show the latest available report. Newport's shared feed is counted once.
NC
Newport Coastal Adventure
1,100 common dolphins · report 2026-09-17
DW
Dana Wharf
Common dolphin: Present, count unknown · Risso's dolphin: Present, count unknown · report 2026-09-17