Rare long-beaked common dolphins spotted in North Island waters
Published 11:30 am Thursday, July 9, 2026
Experts at the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) are monitoring reports of rare long-beaked common dolphins spotted in waters off the North Island, a species typically found in much warmer climates further south.
Two separate sightings of the species have been documented this month.
A juvenile dolphin was recently identified in Esperanza Inlet and reported to marine mammal researcher John Ford and the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network.
Separately, according to MERS, a larger individual was documented off the west side of Malcolm Island. Seasmoke Whale Watching captured images of the dolphin and, with photos provided by Leo Cox of Berry Island Lodge, confirmed the animal had been sighted in Knight Inlet on July 4. MERS matched nicks on the dolphin’s dorsal fin to confirm that the two sightings involved the same individual.
While Pacific white-sided dolphins are a common sight in local waters, the long-beaked common dolphin is rarely documented this far north. MERS quoted from Ford’s 2014 book, Marine Mammals of British Columbia, where he noted that records of the species in B.C. are considered uncommon as the dolphins are rarely seen north of California.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the species generally prefers tropical, subtropical and warm temperate waters. However, the agency notes that the dolphin’s geographical distribution can shift based on oceanographic conditions.
Ford suggests in his book that warmer ocean temperatures may explain the unusual visits. He noted that previous sightings in 2002 and 2003 coincided with weak El Niño events, which may have driven the dolphins further north than their typical range.