mammal
Bottlenose dolphin.
Tursiops truncatus / aduncus · also: Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin
The familiar, perpetually "smiling" dolphin of the Maldives is usually the Indo-Pacific bottlenose. Highly intelligent and social, these dolphins live in fluid groups, use signature whistles as names, and have been documented using tools. They are frequent, confident bow-riders around Maldivian boats.
Size
~2–4 m
Weight
Indo-Pacific bottlenose to ~230 kg; common bottlenose heavier.
Diet
Mainly fish (~87%) plus squid and octopus; opportunistic and varied.
Lifespan
Long-lived, often 40–50+ years.
Depth
Mostly shallow coastal waters, generally under 300 m.
Reproduction
~12-month gestation; calves dependent 2–4 years.
Snorkel or dive
Boat-based watching
Best season
Year-round
Conservation
Least Concern (aduncus Near Threatened)
How to recognise it
Robust grey body, short stubby bottle beak, tall falcate dorsal fin.
Behaviour
Highly social and inquisitive; readily bow-rides boats; smaller, calmer pods than spinners.
Where to see it in the Maldives
Across the atolls but less common than spinner dolphins; seen on dolphin cruises and near channels.
Conservation
Bycatch, habitat degradation, pollution, boat strikes and disturbance.
IUCN · Least Concern (aduncus Near Threatened)
Watch them responsibly
Keep a steady course and let dolphins choose to approach; never feed or jump in to chase.
Among the most intelligent animals — they use signature name whistles to identify each other.
Some populations carry sponges on their beaks as foraging tools — culture passed down through families.
Collective noun: a pod of dolphins
Want to dive with bottlenose dolphin?
Our Maldives specialists match you to the right atoll, season and resort.
More mammals
Sightings are typical, not guaranteed — encounters vary with season and conditions.