Australia is home to several dolphin species, including the bottlenose, Australian humpback, Australian snubfin, common, dusky and the Burrunan dolphins. Some of these are unique to Australia and require ongoing conservation efforts, due to their vulnerability and restricted habitats.
Bottlenose Dolphin: One of the most common and widely recognized dolphins in Australia, the bottlenose dolphin is found all around the Australian coastline. They are often seen close to shore and even surfing waves with people in places like Sydney.
Australian Humpback Dolphin: This species is unique to Australia and is found along the tropical coast, particularly near the Sahul Shelf between northern Australia and southern New Guinea. They inhabit shallow, coastal waters, often near estuaries and bays.
Australian Snubfin Dolphin: Another species unique to Australia, the snubfin dolphin is found only in the northern half of the country, from Broome in Western Australia to the Brisbane River in Queensland. They prefer protected, shallow waters near river and creek mouths .
Common Dolphin: While not unique to Australia, common dolphins are also found in Australian waters and are part of the country’s rich marine biodiversity.
Dusky Dolphin: Although more popular in New Zealand, dusky dolphins can also be found in the southern regions of Australia.
Burrunan Dolphin: This is a rare and vulnerable species, unique to Australia, found in limited locations such as Victoria.
Popular Places to See Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales can be seen in the waters off Australia in many places. Spotting Cruises are great for families, kids of all ages enjoy seeing them moving through the waters at great speed
Habitats
Australian dolphins inhabit a variety of environments. Here are some of the more popular places that offer watching cruises or where they can be seen from the coast:
There are many places around Australia to take a dolphin spotting cruise. Great for families, kids of all ages enjoy spotting them moving through the waters at high speed, often frolicking, diving and jumping in the wake of the power boat.
Many of these dolphins are threatened due to the loss of their habitat and reckless fishing activity.
Dolphin Species in Australia
A previously unidentified species of humpback dolphin has recently been found in northern Australian waters, at the moment called the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin.
Species known to be in Australian waters:
Australia Dolphin Species
Australian snubfin dolphin
Common bottlenose dolphin
Fraser’s dolphin
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin
Irrawaddy dolphin
Pacific humpback dolphin
Pantropical spotted dolphin
Risso’s dolphin
Rough-toothed dolphin
Short-beaked common dolphin
Spinner dolphin
Striped dolphin
Unique and Vulnerable Species
Some dolphins, like the Australian snubfin, Burrunan bottlenose, and Australian humpback dolphin, are unique to Australia and considered vulnerable to extinction due to their limited distribution and specific habitat needs.
Kangaroo Island
The dolphin in the photo is at Kangaroo Island, just off the coast of South Australia: Kangaroo Island SA.
South Australia’s Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures, Photo Greg Snell.
Next: Beaches of Australia
Dolphins Found in Australian Waters
Map of Australia
Dolphins Found in Australian Waters
Australia is home to several dolphin species, including the bottlenose, Australian humpback, Australian snubfin, common, dusky and the Burrunan dolphins. Some of these are unique to Australia and require ongoing conservation efforts, due to their vulnerability and restricted habitats.
Bottlenose Dolphin: One of the most common and widely recognized dolphins in Australia, the bottlenose dolphin is found all around the Australian coastline. They are often seen close to shore and even surfing waves with people in places like Sydney.
Australian Humpback Dolphin: This species is unique to Australia and is found along the tropical coast, particularly near the Sahul Shelf between northern Australia and southern New Guinea. They inhabit shallow, coastal waters, often near estuaries and bays.
Australian Snubfin Dolphin: Another species unique to Australia, the snubfin dolphin is found only in the northern half of the country, from Broome in Western Australia to the Brisbane River in Queensland. They prefer protected, shallow waters near river and creek mouths .
Common Dolphin: While not unique to Australia, common dolphins are also found in Australian waters and are part of the country’s rich marine biodiversity.
Dusky Dolphin: Although more popular in New Zealand, dusky dolphins can also be found in the southern regions of Australia.
Burrunan Dolphin: This is a rare and vulnerable species, unique to Australia, found in limited locations such as Victoria.
Popular Places to See Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales can be seen in the waters off Australia in many places. Spotting Cruises are great for families, kids of all ages enjoy seeing them moving through the waters at great speed
Habitats
Australian dolphins inhabit a variety of environments. Here are some of the more popular places that offer watching cruises or where they can be seen from the coast:
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Victoria
Map showing the location of Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia: South Australia National Parks.
There are many places around Australia to take a dolphin spotting cruise. Great for families, kids of all ages enjoy spotting them moving through the waters at high speed, often frolicking, diving and jumping in the wake of the power boat.
Many of these dolphins are threatened due to the loss of their habitat and reckless fishing activity.
Dolphin Species in Australia
A previously unidentified species of humpback dolphin has recently been found in northern Australian waters, at the moment called the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin.
Species known to be in Australian waters:
Australia Dolphin Species
Unique and Vulnerable Species
Some dolphins, like the Australian snubfin, Burrunan bottlenose, and Australian humpback dolphin, are unique to Australia and considered vulnerable to extinction due to their limited distribution and specific habitat needs.
Kangaroo Island
The dolphin in the photo is at Kangaroo Island, just off the coast of South Australia: Kangaroo Island SA.
About SA National Parks
Nearby parks include Coffin Bay National Park, the Gawler Ranges National Park, the Nullarbor National Park and the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. More about the National Parks in SA: South Australia National Parks, South Australia National Parks.
Parks in the SA Outback: Flinders Ranges & The Outback and the The Arkaba Walk - Flinders Ranges and the beautiful wilderness of Witjira National Park, South Australia.
National Parks
About the National Parks in Australia: Australia National Parks.
Australian World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Sites in Australia: World Heritage Sites Found in Australia.
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Main Photo: South Australia’s Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures, Photo Greg Snell.