Whales of Húsavík

White-beaked Dolphin

Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1845)

    • Cool waters of the North Atlantic

    • Small size

    • Complex and diffuse grey, black, and white coloration (highly variable)

    • Distinctive band of light grey along sides of the body

    • Very robust body

    • Greyish to white saddle behind the dorsal fin

    • Short, thick beak, often white

    • Tall, dark, and falcate dorsal fin

    • Despite their common name, not all white-beaked dolphins have white beaks. Many individuals are quite dark or flecked regarding beak colouration

    • Approximate length: 2,4 to 3,1 m

    • Approximate weight: ca. 180 to 275 kg

    • Males are slightly larger than females

  • In Iceland, average dive time is 24–28 seconds, with a maximum recorded time of 78 seconds

  • The oldest recorded individual was 39 years old

    • IS: Hnýðingur

    • DE: Weißschnauzendelfin

    • FR: Dauphin à nez blanc

    • IT: Delfino dal becco bianco

    • ES: Delfín de hocico blanco

    • PT: Golfinho-de-bico-branco

    • PL: Delfinowiec białonosy

White-beaked dolphins in Iceland

Energy arrives quickly in Skjálfandi Bay, and it often arrives as white-beaked dolphins. Lagenorhynchus albirostris is one of the most commonly seen cetaceans in Iceland and a frequent companion during whale watching tours. They prefer cold, temperate to subarctic waters and are well adapted to the conditions found in northern Iceland.

These dolphins are highly social and typically travel in groups, sometimes forming large, active pods. Their behaviour is dynamic, often leaping, porpoising, and riding the bow wave of boats. Encounters can be fast, playful, and unpredictable.

They feed on a variety of fish and invertebrates, often associated with productive feeding grounds. Like other toothed whales, they use echolocation to locate prey.

Physically, they are robust dolphins with a relatively short beak, often pale or white, which gives the species its name. Their coloration is a mix of dark grey, light grey, and white patterns along the body.

White-beaked dolphins bring movement and immediacy to whale watching. Where larger whales require patience, dolphins often come to you.