Dolphin Tales: How fast, how deep
Our resident bottlenose dolphins are truly amazing. Often, pople ask me at what speed the dolphin can swim and how deep. Typically, the dolphins will cruise at about 5 miles per hour and dive to depths of 10-150 feet. Of course, our local waters are quite shallow so a dive to 150 feet would be offshore in the Gulf.
We know that dolphins, as well as sharks, go offshore to deeper waters during hurricanes to protect them from underwater flying debris. Surfacing can be difficult in a hurricane, especially if the mamma dolphin has a baby. The average dive duration is about 20-40 seconds, surfacing two to three times per minute to breathe.
Bottlenose dolphins have a streamlined body that is propelled by powerful tail flukes. These flukes allow the dolphin to dive deep and swim swiftly. They can reach speeds of 22 miles per hour. The deepest dive ever recorded for a bottlenose dolphin was 990 feet. This was accomplished by Tuffy, a dolphin trained by the U.S. Navy. On average, a dolphin can hold its breath for 5-7 minutes. The maximum breath-holding capacity is about 12 minutes.
Bottlenose dolphins sometimes “porpoise” at the surface; they swim fast enough to break free of the water, flying up and out and then back under in one continuous movement, which they generally repeat. This is incredibly fun to watch!
Also, the dolphins will ride in the wake of our boats. They can ride almost twice as fast using the same energy cost. Sometimes, they will ride for over 30 minutes in my wake while catching a ride to Boca Grande or North Captiva!
Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating in our local waters. As a professional charter captain she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. Visit CaptainCathy.com or call 239 994-2572.