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.

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.