Kayaking in Wilmington: Facts about Tamanend Dolphins

If you see a local dolphin around the Lowcountry, you’re likely looking at Tursiops erebennus. 

Imagine paddling through the serene waters of Wilmington, only to be greeted by the playful dance of Tamanend Dolphins. “Wow! Look! A pod of dolphins—and they’re so close to shore!” a Wilmington Outdoor Adventures paddler exclaimed excitedly. We had just finished our kayak excursion to Masonboro Island, an uninhabited barrier island.

Naturally, all eyes turned towards the source of the excitement. A pod of about six to seven dolphins was breaching the ocean’s surface, about fifteen feet from the shoreline. We all stared, captivated by the wild thrashing and coordinated movements that characterize dolphins’ feeding habits. Their sleek bodies, glinting in the sun, surfaced and dove in unison.

Photo by: Mark Shields

“Don’t they look sort of... small?” someone asked, breaking the silence. Compared to the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, this estuarine pod was noticeably smaller. Their lighter coloration and more compact build stood out against the deep blue water. This observation sparked curiosity among the group—could these dolphins be different from the familiar Atlantic Bottlenose?

For decades, scientists believed that Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were the sole species of dolphin frequenting the North Carolina coastline. It was widely accepted that there were two ecotypes: an offshore and an estuarine form. The offshore ecotype is larger, darker, and prefers cooler, deeper waters farther from the coast. In contrast, the estuarine dolphins are smaller, lighter in color, and favor the shallow, brackish waters of coastlines, estuaries, and tidal rivers.

A recent study has changed this belief. Researchers discovered that the estuarine dolphins are not simply a smaller, coastal variant of the offshore Bottlenose. Genetic analysis revealed that these dolphins are, in fact, an entirely distinct species. Wilmington Outdoor Adventures is proud to introduce: Tamanend Dolphins (Tursiops erebennus).

By participating in our Masonboro Island kayak tour, you’ll have the rare opportunity to witness Tamanend Dolphins in their natural environment. Join us on the water and be part of the advocacy to protect these remarkable creatures and the ecosystems they depend on.