Dolphin Encounters In The Virgin Islands

Jun 24

Are there dolphins in the Virgin Islands? Yes!

Dolphin watching or swimming with dolphins in the Virgin Islands, whether around the waters of St. John or St. Thomas, is never a guarantee, but the odds increase when visitors book full or half day boat charters that include snorkeling or diving in the deeper waters of the Caribbean.

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Dolphins in the Caribbean, Virgin Islands, USVI - BVI — A small pod of dolphins swimming in the Caribbean Sea around St. John / St. Thomas USVI. Image credit: Island Roots Charters

It's always exciting when we see dolphins on our US and BVI boat charters. When sea conditions permit we will usually stop the boat to enjoy watching them. Usually the dolphins are curious and will swim around the boat or near snorkelers. We would never encourage anyone to touch them but snorkeling and watching them (from the legally permissible distance away) is okay. When we are in deeper water sometimes a small pod of dolphins will cruise along with the boat playing in the wake, said Jill Siska of Island Roots.

The peak months to see dolphins in the USVI & BVI are from January to March and from November to December.

Factors that can influence dolphin sightings in the Caribbean Sea at any given time include: seasonal migration, breeding times, water temperature, and the availability of the types of food each type of dolphin likes (i.e. fish, like mackerel, mullet, herring, anchovies, and sardines; shrimp, and squid).

Many people who want to encounter wild dolphins ask whether they are dangerous. Although dolphins are usually notoriously friendly, they can be unpredictable. Observers should remain at a safe distance away and do not attempt to touch or feed them.

The Virgin Islands, including both the USVI and BVI, are home to at least five different types of dolphins that we have organized into a chart below which includes additional details about their weight, lifespan and unique features, along with where dolphins are most likely to be found.

    



Five Types of Dolphins in the Virgin Islands


    
        #
        Dolphin Species
        Lifespan
        Unique Features
        Weight
        Group Size
        Most Likely Seen
    

        1
        Bottlenose Dolphin
        40-50 years
        Friendly nature, prominent dorsal fin
        150-650 kg (330-1430 lbs)
        2-15
        Magens Bay, Buck Island Reef, Charlotte Amalie Harbor
    

        2
        Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
        30-40 years
        Spotted body, especially as they age
        100-140 kg (220-310 lbs)
        5-50
        Offshore waters of St. Thomas and St. John
    

        3
        Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
        40-50 years
        Spots, streamlined body
        100-120 kg (220-260 lbs)
        50-100
        Deep waters around Virgin Gorda and Tortola
    

        4
        Spinner Dolphin
        20-25 years
        Acrobatic spinning behavior
        60-80 kg (130-180 lbs)
        50-200
        Offshore waters around St. Croix
    

        5
        Rough-toothed Dolphin
        32-36 years
        Conical head, smooth forehead
        90-150 kg (200-330 lbs)
        10-20
        Deep waters around Anegada
    