how fast can a dolphin swim

February 13, 2026

Most dolphins cruise at moderate speeds but can sprint impressively fast over short distances. Typical swimming speeds are around 6–12 km/h (4–8 mph), with bursts that can reach 30–60 km/h (20–37 mph) depending on the species.

Fast facts (Quick Scoop)

Everyday travel speed for many dolphins is about 6–12 km/h (4–8 mph).

“Fast cruising” or sustained chase speeds are often in the 14–22 knot range (about 26–40 km/h, 16–25 mph) in some studied groups.

Bottlenose dolphins commonly reach short bursts around 32 km/h (20 mph), with some reports up to roughly 35 km/h (22 mph).

Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are record-holders, with top speeds reported around 60 km/h (37 mph) in brief sprints.

So if you picture a dolphin pacing a boat, that’s accurate: at their fastest, some species can briefly keep up with a car driving through a neighborhood.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.