Bottlenose Dolphin

When to see

They are resident in Scotland throughout the year but are more visible in calmer sea conditions in the spring and summer. Dolphins can be more visible at low tide inshore. Dolphins need to breathe air and they can be seen at the surface briefly as they take a breath when travelling along in a pod offshore.

Where to see

Seen around the coasts of Scotland they are sometimes visible from good shoreline vantage points. Watch the seascape with the naked eye at first, then once a pod is spotted, use binoculars to see activity more closely.

The Moray Firth is one of the best places to see bottlenose dolphins in the UK, with the beach below the lighthouse at Chanonry Point on the north shore of the Moray Firth being particularly notable. Other good spots include off the coast of Aberdeen, the West Coast around Mull, Firth of Lorn, Canna and Skye and increasingly in the Firth of Forth.

Did you know?

Bottlenose dolphins are vulnerable to disturbance. If you are on the water in the vicinity of dolphins, let the dolphins choose whether they want to associate with the boat. Follow the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code at all times.

If you are choosing a dolphin-watching operators, look for the Wild Scotland or WISE logos which indicate that the operators know how to handle the boat around marine mammals. Never swim with dolphins.

Related species

Basking Shark Common Dolphin Harbour Porpoise Minke Whale