Dolphins

Striped dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Sleek offshore dolphins with bold flank stripes, often fast and leaping. Watch from a calm boat and never cut across a school.

Least ConcernIn 43 Atlas countries

Least Concern (IUCN, 2018) means it is not at high risk of extinction worldwide today. In the Mediterranean, the population is Vulnerable.

Striped dolphin leaping, dark flank stripe clearly visible — Photo: Lucas Benaiche, iNaturalist, CC BY-SA

Striped dolphin bursting from blue water, eye stripe visible — Photo: Lucas Benaiche, iNaturalist, CC BY-SA

Striped dolphin mid-leap showing bold side stripes — Photo: Demian Hiß, iNaturalist, CC BY

Two striped dolphins leaping over sparkling water — Photo: Vsevolod Rudyi, iNaturalist, CC BY

Striped dolphin porpoising through a wave — Photo: Lucas Benaiche, iNaturalist, CC BY-SA

Pair of striped dolphins surfacing in splashes — Photo: Paolo Zucca, iNaturalist, CC BY

Striped dolphin leaping clear over blue sea — Photo: bogsuckers, iNaturalist, CC BY

Striped dolphins swimming just below a calm surface — Photo: Naturalista, iNaturalist, CC BY

Photos show the species, not always the places on this page.

Length

Adults usually about 1.8 to 2.6 m (5.9 to 8.5 ft); large males up to about 2.7 m (9 ft)

Weight

Adults usually about 110 to 160 kg (240 to 350 lb)

Next to a person

About as long as an adult person, and roughly 1.5 to 2 times their weight

What it eats

Small midwater fish, especially lanternfish, and small squid. It can dive to at least about 700 m (2,300 ft) to feed, and the diet changes by region.

Around people

Calm, give space

How it lives

Striped dolphins are fast ocean dolphins with dark stripes along their sides. They usually travel in schools and often leap from the water. They feed in the middle depths of the sea, especially on lanternfish and squid, and prefer deep offshore and slope waters to shallow bays.

Where it goes

Striped dolphins live in deep, warm to temperate open ocean, roughly between 50°N and 40°S. They like shelf edges and places where currents meet and bring food up. They are fast swimmers and often move away quickly from boats.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

The species is listed as Least Concern worldwide. The Mediterranean subpopulation was assessed as Least Concern in 2021, after an earlier Vulnerable listing. The small group in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece, is assessed separately as Endangered. Mediterranean striped dolphins suffered large virus outbreaks in 1990 to 1992 and again in 2006 to 2008.

Meet it respectfully

Watch from the boat and let the dolphins choose how close they come. Never chase, circle, feed or cut across a school, and never come between mothers and calves. Travel slowly and parallel to them, and move away if they change direction. In Spain, national rules keep boats at least 60 m away and do not allow swimming in that zone; other places have their own local rules.

Fun fact

Tap the bulb to light it up.

Sources for this page

Facts checked 26 September 2026. Photos: Unsplash licence, or Creative Commons as shown on each photo.

For partners

Work in ocean travel?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

Partner with Ocean Calling

7-day freediving course in Coron, Palawan

CHF 1,480

See the trip →