Spinner dolphins are small dolphins that like to live in warm ocean water. They have long and skinny noses, along with a fin on their back is shaped like a triangle. Spinner dolphins usually can grow up to 6 and a half feet long, and they can weigh more than 170 pounds. But even if they sound so big enough, did you know that it would take about 1,750 spinner dolphins to match the weight of a vast blue whale!
However, don’t let their small size fool you. Spinner dolphins have a lot of tricks hidden on their fins because, for one, they are like the Olympic gymnasts who can jump, spin, and even somersault above the water. Which is why they are called spinner dolphins.
Researchers believe that spinner dolphins act this way so that they can shrug away parasites off their skin, communicate with each other, and just have had fun playing in the water.
Where Do Spinner Dolphins Live?
Spinner dolphins like warm ocean water, which is why they can often be found on ocean water in Hawaii, Thailand, Central America, and near the Pacific Ocean. Most of them like to swim and have fun in deeper ocean water, but from time to time, a few of the cruise around closer to the shoreline.
What Do Spinner Dolphins Eat?
Spinner dolphins are carnivores, which means that meat is a big part of their diet. They like eating small, deeper swimming fish, squid, and shrimp. Spinner dolphins want to spend their nights hunting for food, and sometimes, they dive deeper into the water to find it. Just like some other types of dolphins, not only use their eyes to hunt for food, but they also use echolocation or their special senses, which enables them to bounce sound off of things, so they are aware of what’s around them.
When morning comes, spinner dolphins like to come closer to the surface of the water to take a nap, play, and maybe keep an eye out for bigger sea creatures such as sharks that might want to make a snack out of them.
The Best Places to Swim and Snorkel with Spinner Dolphins
The Bahamas
The crystal-clear, shallow waters of the Bahamas give you plenty of chance to encounter dolphins. We suggest that you head to Grand Bahama, which is located just 56 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida, this place has warm ocean waters. It gives you almost guaranteed encounters with several resident pods of dolphins all year long.
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place is probably every snorkeler and diver’s paradise. This is because aside from sharks, whales, and other large marine animals, dolphins are often seen even if you’re on a boat, you can see them below the surface. Spinner dolphins are often seen in large groups, particularly at Fernandina Island.
Sataya Reef & Samadai Reef, Egypt
The clear waters of Egypt’s Red Sea, along with its colorful, abundant, and vibrant coral and fish life, are enough to lure and satisfy any underwater enthusiast. But to make this spot even better, Sataya and Samadai reef is home to several dolphin pods such as spinner, bottlenose, common dolphins. This location offers you big chances to dive and snorkel at the edge of the reef while you wait for the prying dolphins to come out of their quiet lagoon.
Socorro Island
Also known as “The Mexican Galapagos”, Socorro Island is one of the world’s best dive destinations where you can see some seriously amazing large sea creatures. On this island, you can experience seeing giants of the ocean, such as whale sharks, manta rays, and even humpback whales. Aside from these big and impressive marine animals, there is also a substantial chance that you can have dolphin encounters because they make a regular appearance during the high season.
Brazil, Fernando De Noronha Island
This location is where home to the world’s biggest pod of spinner dolphins. They are regularly seen during the early morning as they return home after a busy night of hunting for food in the open ocean. This island is hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and here you can find some of the most stunning beaches in Brazil.