The Two Dolphins We See Most Around Koh Samui
Thailand has around two dozen species of dolphins and whales. Two are the ones our team meets most often on the water. Here is how to tell them apart.
Thailand's dolphins at a glance
Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources lists 26 species of whales and dolphins in Thai waters, 19 of them in the Gulf of Thailand. Only a few live in the shallow coastal water where a day boat can reach them.
1. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (the 'pink dolphin')
Sousa chinensis, also called the Chinese white dolphin. Its colour ranges from grey to pale pink, and the pink can look stronger in older animals or when they are active. In real light on the water, many look grey, white or mottled rather than bright pink.
It stays in shallow coastal water, often in small groups, and a lone animal is not unusual. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable.
2. The Irrawaddy dolphin
Grey to dark slate-blue, with a high, rounded forehead, a blunt snout with no real beak, and a small, rounded dorsal fin set well back on the body. It lives in brackish coastal water, river mouths and estuaries, usually in groups of two or three.
It is shy of boats and does not ride the bow wave, which is one more reason a quiet, patient approach matters. The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable, with some local populations in a far worse state.
Which one will you see?
That is up to nature. We can't guarantee which species you will see, or what colour, and we never pretend to. Seeing even one wild dolphin counts as a sighting on our trip, and if you book directly with us and see none, you choose a full refund or a new trip. See the policy explained.
Why behaviour matters
Both species live close to shore, where they share the water with boats and fishing. How a boat behaves around them depends on the intent and behaviour of the person guiding it. See our guide to choosing an ethical dolphin tour.
Quick answers
Are pink dolphins really pink?
They range from grey to pale pink. The colour often looks less pink from a boat than in photographs.
What is the other dolphin people see near Koh Samui?
The Irrawaddy dolphin, which is grey to slate-blue with a rounded head and no beak. It is shy and usually in small groups.
Are these dolphins endangered?
Both the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and the Irrawaddy dolphin are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Planning your trip?
Message us with your dates and group size and we will confirm the sea conditions, times and price.
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