scubaseason

Atlantic spotted dolphin

Stenella frontalis

Sighting evidence at Princesa Sperm Whale Corridor, Azores — Faial and Pico

Atlantic spotted dolphins are a constant companion species in the Faial-Pico channel from spring through autumn, often bowriding dive boats and interacting with in-water swimmers. Juveniles are unspotted at birth and develop their characteristic speckled pattern progressively — the degree of spotting is a reliable age indicator. These dolphins are among the most studied cetaceans in the world due to long-running research programs in the Bahamas and Azores tracking individual animals across decades.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Atlantic spotted dolphin is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites