The Patagonian dolphin or Commerson’s dolphin is one of the smallest cetaceans in the world and one of the most appreciated by marine mammal lovers.
Its body is small but robust and compact, and its black and white coloration pattern makes it unmistakable.
Adult males are less than one and a half meters long, and the maximum recorded length for females is 1.52 m long. Adult weights range from 30 to 45 kg, with a maximum recorded weight of 66 kg for a female.
At birth, the young are dark gray and black, measure between 60 and 75 cm in length and weigh between 7 and 8 kg. Their gray coloration gradually fades to white at 6 months of age.
These dolphins can be seen sweeping and surfing the coastal waves with great skill. They also love to play with the wakes produced by boats as they move around, so when they spot a boat they come to play with it. It’s amazing to see them in action!
Socialization includes chasing behaviors, tail slapping and a large aerial display of jumping with the entire body out of the water.
The Patagonian dolphin or Commerson’s dolphin was declared a “Provincial Natural Monument of Chubut” in April 2025, under Law XI No. 86, along with six other marine species.
This species is known by the names Patagonian dolphin, Commerson’s dolphin, and Commerson’s dolphin. In English, they are called Commerson’s dolphin.
Scientific name: Cephalorhynchus commersonii.
It is a coastal species that lives in small groups of between 2 and 8 individuals, although congregations of a hundred dolphins and also solitary individuals have been observed. There is still much to learn about the social structure of this species, but much is known about its biology and behavior, which we want to tell you.
The behaviors described for this species are classified into four main categories, which are feeding, moving, resting and socialization.
Feeding can be individual or cooperative. They swim in tight circles, with abrupt accelerations and 180-degree direction changes without slowing down. In the case of cooperative feeding, they coordinate their movements to capture prey in a circular formation or form a line creating a front, and then suddenly accelerate and turn 180º to face the rest of the dolphins that continue swimming in the same direction.
To rest, they make slow movements or remain on the surface without moving for a few minutes.
Unlike other dolphins that travel for several kilometers without changing course, Commerson’s dolphins have an erratic swimming pattern.
They travel at high speeds, sometimes alternating underwater swimming with jumping out of the water, which is known as “marsopeo”.
They also swim very fast underwater, with zigzagging movements and very varied positions such as belly up and swimming in turns, known as looping.
Valid during winter break. Subject to availability and weather conditions.
Payment methods: cash, bank transfer, debit card.
Valid during winter break. Subject to availability and weather conditions.
Payment methods: cash, bank transfer, debit card.
