Pacific White-sided Dolphin

Lagenorhynchus obliquidens

Pacific white-sided dolphins sweep into SoCal waters from the open North Pacific each winter in herds of hundreds — occasionally topping 2,000 animals — often mixing with common dolphins and riding the bow waves of whale-watching boats in tandem. A bold pale stripe running from eye to tail and chartreuse "suspender" patches on the flanks make them easy to identify even mid-leap.

Stats

At a glance

LENGTH
7–8 ft
WEIGHT
300–440 lbs
LIFESPAN
40 yrs
DIET
Schooling fish, squid
RARITY
Seasonal — November to April
SEASON
November–April
How to ID

What to look for

Tricolored with distinctive pale "suspender" streaks on the flanks. Short stubby beak, highly acrobatic. Often in groups of hundreds mixed with common dolphins.
BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR
Bow-ridingLeaping and spinningMixed-species herds with common dolphins
When

Best months to see

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Archive

Last 30 days

Total seen
0
Days active
0/30
Last seen
Not seen
DAILY SIGHTING COUNT HOVER A BAR
TODAY
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Operators that often spot this species

NW
Newport Whales
NEWPORT BEACH · Check availability
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DL
Davey's Locker
NEWPORT BEACH · Check availability
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DW
Dana Wharf
DANA POINT · Check availability
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HB
Harbor Breeze
LONG BEACH · Check availability
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FC
Flagship Cruises
SAN DIEGO · Check availability
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P
Paul Grogan
Covers SoCal whale watching, ocean conditions, and the best departure ports on the Southern California coast.