Tursiops aduncus
Encounter Rate
Spotting Difficulty
Best Season
Year-round
Depth Range
0-100 meters
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is the most frequently sighted cetacean in and around Komodo National Park, and encounters with pods of these charismatic, intelligent mammals are a highlight of surface intervals and boat transfers between dive sites. Reaching lengths of about 2.7 metres, these social dolphins travel in pods of 5 to 50 individuals, often bow-riding alongside dive boats with obvious enthusiasm and performing acrobatic leaps and spins. In Komodo, they are most commonly seen in the channels and open water between islands, where they hunt schooling fish using sophisticated cooperative strategies. Dolphins use echolocation — a biological sonar system — to navigate and locate prey in murky or deep water, producing clicks and interpreting the returning echoes to build a detailed acoustic picture of their surroundings. While in-water encounters during dives are rare and unpredictable, surface sightings from the boat are common and always generate excitement. Their intelligence, playful behaviour, and strong social bonds make dolphins one of the most universally beloved marine animals encountered on any Komodo liveaboard trip.
Average Size
2-2.5m
Size Range
1.5-2.7m
Maximum Size
2.7m, up to 230kg
Feeds on a variety of schooling fish, squid, and cuttlefish. Uses echolocation to detect and track prey, and hunts cooperatively in pods using herding and encircling strategies.
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is the most frequently sighted cetacean in and around Komodo National Park, and encounters with pods of these charismatic, intelligent mammals are a highlight of surface intervals and boat transfers between dive sites. Reaching lengths of about 2.7 metres, these social dolphins travel in pods of 5 to 50 individuals, often bow-riding alongside dive boats with obvious enthusiasm and performing acrobatic leaps and spins. In Komodo, they are most commonly seen in the channels and open water between islands, where they hunt schooling fish using sophisticated cooperative strategies. Dolphins use echolocation — a biological sonar system — to navigate and locate prey in murky or deep water, producing clicks and interpreting the returning echoes to build a detailed acoustic picture of their surroundings. While in-water encounters during dives are rare and unpredictable, surface sightings from the boat are common and always generate excitement. Their intelligence, playful behaviour, and strong social bonds make dolphins one of the most universally beloved marine animals encountered on any Komodo liveaboard trip.
This species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of Komodo National Park. Responsible diving practices help protect these animals and their habitat for future generations.
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Very likely! Dolphin sightings from the boat are common, especially during transits between dive sites in the northern and central parts of the park. In-water encounters while diving are rare but possible.
