Marine life profile
Common Dolphin
Recorded at 397 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Common Dolphin around the world
The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the most abundant cetacean in the world, with an estimated global population of about six million. Fast, social and acrobatic, it travels in coordinated groups and may ride pressure waves beside boats.
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
A sleek dolphin with a distinct hourglass color pattern along the flanks and a long, defined beak.
How It Behaves
Fast, social and acrobatic, it travels in coordinated groups and may ride pressure waves beside boats.
Special Ability
Echolocation turns returning clicks into a detailed acoustic picture of prey and surroundings.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Keep a respectful distance and let the animal initiate any closer pass. Never pursue, touch or separate a group.
Safety
These are strong, protected wild animals. Follow local interaction rules and avoid placing yourself between adults and young.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
Large feeding groups can coordinate to compress schooling fish into a dense, accessible bait ball.
Where to Find
Look in productive coastal water, sheltered bays, channels and offshore feeding areas where food is concentrated.
Known countries
Sightings map
Common Dolphin locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Gordon's Bay
Australia
Gordon's Bay is renowned for its accessibility and year-round appeal for divers and snorkelers. The calm conditions and a maximum depth of 14 meters make it a popular spot for all levels of divers. Gordon's Bay is famous for the underwater nature trail, a 600-meter path marked by a chain that guides you through the site. The trail leads to "The Wall," which is home to many Port Jackson sharks and Wobbegong sharks. Along the nature trail, divers also commonly encounter the famous Blue Groper, a local legend and a favorite among divers. Photos by Aquatic Imaging Australia.
Kandooma Thila
Maldives
Kandooma Thila, or also called Cocoa Thila, is one of the most exciting dives in South Male’ Atoll with great scenery as well as prolific fish life. The west and north side are the most spectacular, with the top at 16m. These are a focal point for schools of Bluefin Trevallies, eagle rays, dogtooth tunas and loose groups of gray reef sharks (50+ in the right current). Cleaning station for grey reef , you can see them going in a vertical position while small wrasses are cleaning them. Currents can be very strong making it a challenging dive. For experienced divers only.
2MAI Diving Point
Romania
An interesting place for a simple and comforting dive when there are no waves. The area is known among the locals as “Plaja Mica.“
7 sisters (الشعاب السبعة)
Saudi Arabia
It is a group of 7 different coral reefs, the seven reefs characterized with very clear visibility and very distinctive marine life. The seven reefs have strong currents and depths suitable for experienced divers, which is why some previous experience in these reefs can be improved.
Abrolhos / Chapeirão Faca Cega
Location being verified
The set of coral pinnacles that received the name of “Faca Cega“ (Blind Knife) consists of one of the main diving points of the Abrolhos Archipelago. It has a room that reaches a depth of 25 meters, with almost 20 meters in diameter. The view is impressive, with several passages and burrows.
Agi Anna
Greece
Dive under the famous monastery of the film big blue . Flat up to 18m then a wall dropped till 40 m . Excellent visibility and no currents makes this deep dive site very safe
Aiona Wreck (حطام أيونا)
Saudi Arabia
ربما أفضل حطام في الجانب السعودي من البحر الأحمر. مليئة بالحياة البحرية. يتم تقسيم هذا الحطام إلى أجزاء 2 ، واحد يصلح لمستوى الدخول مع مسافة مفتوحة والآخر يناسب الغواصين الأعمق والمتقدم مع الممرات والغرف وعمق يصل إلى 50 مترا.
Alaybey Batigi
Turkey
The Alaybey ferry is a diving spot that has become an artificial reef and nests for many creatures. The leer flocks have been home to kingfishes and bream flocks. Take a good look at the ropes, you can see the squid eggs.
Angels Window Bukabuka Isl.
Indonesia
The drop-off wall is stunning, with a small hole in the reef leading directly to 6 meters below. When sunlight shines through, it creates a beautiful “Angel’s Window“ effect. The warm temperatures make for an easy and enjoyable dive.
Antonio Lorenzo
France
The Antonio Lorenzo was arrested for illegal fishing in the TAAF seas in 1998 and brought back to Réunion. As the vessel threatened to sink in the Port of Pointe des Galets, the regional diving committee asked the government to sink it in an area accessible to divers.
Aplysina
Guadeloupe
At a depth of around 9 to 12m, this site offers a lovely walk on a reef that boasts an incredible number of rope sponges and other sponges, hence the name Aplysina.
Aquaventure Ship Wreck
Philippines
Opposite Aquaventure Reef Club. A blue buoy shows the line. Huge amount of fish living inside the wreck. The wreck sits at 35 mts. 2 other wreck heading back to the shore. One is an SUV and the other is an old helicopter. Follow the white buoy. The staff at Aquaventure are really helpful.
Aride Bank
Seychelles
Situated north of Praslin island, approximately 30-35 mins by boat, time may vary depending on the weather conditions. The dive sites consists mostly of submerged granitic rocks. The average depth is between 12-22 metres.
Atspas Beach
Greece
Nice little sandy beach with quiet waters and occasional slow current. Perfect for beginners with 15 meters of maximum depth. The beach has shallow entrance and exit points and is comfortable for cars to pull close.
Avion Cessna 188
France
Dive into this wreck of an small plane, a CESSNA 188, which was used to spray pesticides on banana plantations in its first life. Following an accident, it could not be repaired. The plane was decontaminated and submerged in 2000 at a depth of 23 metres on the edge of the coral reefs, and is now full of life!
Bahadur Resort House Reef
Saudi Arabia
The Bahadur Resort House Reef is a great dive site for entry-level and intermediate level divers. The site is full of colorful coral and busy fish life.
Bailla - Les Almadies
Senegal
A beautiful walk upstream from the breaking waves in the Almadies lighthouse bay, past rocky outcrops sheltering typical marine life. Head north for deeper waters and west to reach the Deux Phares site.
Barney’s Rock
New Zealand
Barney’s Rock (Panau Island) is located 15min south on SH1 From Daves Diving Kaikoura. This is the gateway to the Hikurangi Marine Reserve and diving around the island you reach depths of 19m.
Barracuda Point
Greece
Barracuda Point is a shore dive for all levels. There are lots of fish. On almost every dive you will see a large school of barracuda. You can get very close. They will circle around curiously looking at you.
Basse Espagnole
France
A reef rising up to 4 meters below the surface, northeast of Saint Martin. The site is wild, beaten by the wind and the swell. Dive through a 200 meter long by 10 meter wide canyon and discover a cave full of glassfish and schools of creole fish
Bayadah (بياضة)
Saudi Arabia
A reef island creating a living habitat for plenty of fish and corals. Easy entry from boat and always protected from rough waves and currents. Marine interaction in the area is very interesting as in the north of the island lives a school of Trevally that feeds on early morning. Excellent location for beginners
This is an easily accessed shore site and protected area. It is an excellent location for recreational diving, party, and fun, right on the beach of Hotel HERCULES.
Biraghty Mor
Ireland
A 10 minute boat jounrey brings you to this rocky outcrop half way between Donegal point and Kilkee Bay. After a free descent to 30m you are greeted with a boulder field filled with nooks and crannys to explore, before arriving at the wall, which goes to and breaches the surface!
Biscoitos Gate
Portugal
This dive site is magnificent, as we follow the wall, finally we encounter a Gate 2 meter wide by 5 meter high at a depth of 32 meter who gives us entrance to the Atrium 36 meter, to perform this dive you need 2 scuba tanks, or a twin set.