Hector's dolphinCephalorhynchus hectoriWhere and when to see them

Hector's dolphin is a small coastal dolphin endemic to New Zealand, recognized by its rounded dorsal fin and sharply contrasting grey, black and white markings. Most belong to South Island populations, while the exceptionally threatened Māui dolphin is a North Island subspecies. These animals are marine residents of shallow coastal waters, not land wildlife. Their restricted distribution and slow reproduction make accidental deaths in fishing gear particularly consequential.

Size

1.2–1.5 m body length

Weight

40–60 kg

Lifespan

20–25 years

Status

Endangered

Hector's dolphins usually travel in small groups whose membership can change through the day. They socialize, feed and sometimes make low leaps, although a shore observer may see only backs and rounded fins. Mothers invest heavily in single calves, with several years commonly separating births. Their coastal movements respond to prey, depth and season, so proximity to a known population does not ensure animals will approach a viewing point. Hector's dolphins are generally shy and not prone to bow-riding or approaching vessels closely, unlike some other dolphin species. They exhibit complex social structures within their small groups, often forming fission-fusion societies where individuals move between groups.

• The species occurs naturally only in New Zealand waters.
• Its rounded dorsal fin is often compared with a curved ear.
• Māui dolphins are a subspecies, not a separate species.
• Females generally produce one calf only every few years.

Austral summer and early autumn offer useful daylight and generally comfortable coastal observation conditions. Dolphins occur year-round, and seasonal inshore movement differs among populations. Select appropriate South Island viewpoints with current local advice instead of interpreting summer travel weather as a breeding-viewing guarantee. During the austral summer, warmer waters and increased prey availability can lead to more frequent inshore movements and active feeding displays. While observation is possible year-round, these warmer months offer the most reliable conditions for spotting them from land or a vessel.

Shallow coastal waters around much of New Zealand's South Island form the principal range. Bays, river-influenced coastlines and nearshore shelf waters are important. Māui dolphins occupy a much smaller area off the western North Island and must not be treated as a routine viewing target. While primarily found in coastal waters, Hector's dolphins typically inhabit depths less than 100 meters, often staying within a few kilometers of shore. Their dependence on these specific nearshore areas makes them vulnerable to human activities and coastal development.

Hector's dolphins eat small fish and squid, taking prey from different parts of the water column. Red cod, flatfish and other locally abundant coastal fishes occur in dietary studies. Feeding opportunities depend on healthy nearshore ecosystems rather than a single preferred prey species. They employ echolocation to locate prey in murky or dark waters, supplementing visual hunting. Their diet varies regionally and seasonally, reflecting the availability of small schooling fish and benthic invertebrates.

Common name

Hector's dolphin

Scientific name

Cephalorhynchus hectori

Animal group

Marine life

Size

1.2–1.5 m body length

Weight

40–60 kg

Lifespan

20–25 years

Status

Endangered

Identification

A rounded, paddle-shaped dorsal fin and compact grey body distinguish Hector's dolphins from the larger, pointed-finned dusky and bottlenose dolphins. Their distinctive, almost circular dorsal fin is black, contrasting with their grey body, and they have black markings on their face and flippers. The average adult body length is around 1.2 to 1.5 meters, making them one of the smallest marine dolphins.