Did you know that today, 23rd July 2025, is the International Whale and Dolphin Day? And you can actually spot dolphins on this special World Dolphin Day from Andaman.

Dolphins and Whales are two mammals of water who are known for their intelligence and playfulness. Spotting them can be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you and your family. 

What is World Whale And Dolphin Day?

The reason why dolphin day and whale day are celebrated in different parts of the world is that these playful creatures have been slaughtered in many countries in the name of festivals and celebrations.

World Dolphin Day, World Whale Day, National Dolphin Day, and World Whale and Dolphin Day are separately celebrated in order to increase awareness and conserve these species. 

Whales and Dolphins are essential beings of the marine ecosystem, and the poaching of these animals, commercial whaling, is not only brutal on these animals but also negative for the well-being of marine biology.

In 1986, this day was established as World Whale & Dolphin Day for the purpose of conservation and moratorium. 

Where Can You Spot Dolphins In Andaman?

Well, as a tourist, you can do your part in conserving the animals by spotting them in their natural habitat. Andaman is a great place to spot different species of Dolphins, and if you can do that on Dolphin Day, nothing can be better and more satisfactory than that. 

Let’s see where you can spot them by booking from a travel agent in Andaman. 

• Elephant and Radhanagar beaches of Havelock Island is one of the major hotspot for Dolphin watching. Glass-bottom boat tour which is one of the favourite water sports in Andaman give the opportunity to spot Dolphins in their natural habitat. 
• If you have booked your holidays with a travel agent in Andaman during International Whale and Dolphin Day, then you need to ensure that Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor) is included, because Dolphins make frequent visits to this place due to rich marine biodiversity. 
• Lalaji Bay Beach is a very lesser-known place in Andaman. Located on Long Island is one of the top hotspots for watching dolphins. During the day, you can actually spot pods of dolphins swimming across the ocean. 
• North Bay Island is famous for water sports in Andaman as well. During the glass bottom boat ride on the island, you can spot dolphins easily near the bay. 
• Clinque island which is a little far away from the main islands of Andaman is an destination where Dolphins are sighted often. But remember there is no guarantee that you will see them for sure.
• Neil Island in the Andaman and Nicobar island is one of the best sight for watching dolphin pods. The calm water rich in marine life, and the transparent colour of the sea makes it easy to sight dolphins. 
• Recently, Barren Island is emerging as a good sight to spot Bottlenose dolphins in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Dolphin Species That You Are Likely To See

1. Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins

• Highly intelligent and a good social dolphin species. 
• Warm and temperate water of the indo-pacific region is their natural habitat. 
• Dorsal fins are curved, triangular and tall. The beak is slender and medium long. 
• North Bay island, Mahatma Gandhi Park are some of the common sighting spots for these dolphin.

2. Spinner Dolphins

• Star of all the dolphins you can see near Andaman. 
• They are performative, and will do acrobatic spinning leaps to entertain you. 
• They have long beaks with slender body, the underbelly colour is lighter whereas upper body is dark grey. 
• If you do Andaman ferry booking in the early morning from Havelock or Neil Islands, there are high chances that you will get to see them. 

3. Risso’s Dolphins

• The body is heavy and big with a lot of scarring, and no significant beak make them less impressive but still a delight to watch. 
• They roam around in smaller groups, and usually prefers deeper water. So they are not easy to spot. 
• You may spot them in the offshore of the Barren Island and Port Blair. Even though you need luck to spot them, their scars make them easily identifiable. 

4. Fraser’s Dolphins

• These dolphins like to flip but shy in nature, so you may not always be lucky to spot them. 
• They are usually short but solid bodied, with small beak and small dorsal fins. 
• You can spot them offshore of Andaman Island, mostly on the Nicobar sight. But do not keep your hopes very high, because they are shy and fast paced. 

5. Common Dolphins

• They are considered as the colourful gliders which has distinctive colour patterns with long and thin beak. 
• You can spot them around the offshore of the southern Andaman and near the middle of Button Island. 
• They are good fast swimmers who likes to swim in a synchronized motions of large pods. 

6. Pantropical Spotted Dolphins

• Infamous sleek and slender bodied tropical and subtropical dolphins are these Pantropical spotted species. 
• They usually have slender and long beak and the adults grow spots on their back causing this name. 
• Near Neil island you can expect to spot them. You can also see them near South Button island areas. 
• They are friendly, energetic, and likes to leap and spin around boats. If you are lucky, you can spot them bowing to the boat. 

Tips To Follow For Spotting Dolphins

1. Best Time To Go

Calm sees are the ideal place where dolphins can be at, so early mornings and early evenings are the best times to spot them. 

2. Booking And Access

Go for Andaman ferry booking to book your ferry from Port Blair jetty. Book your Green Ocean ferry or Makruzz ferry to reach Havelock Jetty, from their you can book your glass bottom boat rides. 

Book from ethical, registered and reputed operators, to do your part of conservation and care on the World Dolphin Day. 

3. Responsibilities 

Maintain distance and keep yourself from making noises that can disturb the pods. Silently spot them without disturbing them in anyway. 

4. Things To Carry

While you book your package for the travel agent in Andaman, remember to clarify the things you need to carry. 

• Keep your binoculars and cameras with you. 
• Keep your sunscreen and other sun protections. 
• Carry the documents needed

5. Other Spotting

If you are taking ferry rides near Barren islands and Nicobar islands sides, you might spot other species like Orca, Sperm Whale, and even Omura’s Whale. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the Whale & Dolphin Day? 

The Whale and Dolphin Day is on 23rd July 2025. 

2. What dolphins are commonly sighted in Andaman?

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin, Spinner dolphin, Spotted dolphins are the most commonly sighted dolphins in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

3. Which season is the best to spot dolphins in Andaman?

Dolphins are usually sighted whole year near the Andaman and Nicobar islands. People from their Green Ocean ferry open deck can spot Dolphins on their way to Havelock jetty or Neil jetty. However, during the calm seasons, particularly in Winter seasons they are easy to spot. 

4.  How can I reach the different islands for dolphin spotting in Andaman? 

You can reach the island by Andaman ferry booking service, where you can get to your ferry to reach the jetties, and from their they can take cab to reach the beaches where the operators are taking glass-bottom boat ride booking. 

Final Thoughts 

Spotting dolphins on the Whale and Dolphin day can be a great experience to achieve. However, if you truly enjoy dolphins, you can spot them near the Andaman and Nicobar island all round the year. Watching the dolphins in their pods, doing leaping, spinning and other acrobatic performance can truly be a life-changing experience.

It can also help you connect with the cause of the conservation of these beautiful creatures.

Learn More : Facts About Whales