Large Pod of Risso's Dolphins in Rare Encounter Off Central Oregon Coast

Published 10/13/25 at 1:45 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Depoe Bay, Oregon) – Regularly, hordes of cool things are seen off the shores of the central Oregon coast, especially the Depoe Bay area. Part of that is just more eyes are on the ocean here with all the charter and whale watch tours, but a lot of it is the proliferation of the kinds of foods marine wildlife love. (Stills and video courtesy Kelly Laviolette and Seaside Aquarium)

Last week, the area saw quite the run of Risso's dolphins, which is actually a rare encounter near shore. Some 40 of them were reported, with at least one video showing a handful of them zipping along the water near one of the tour boats of Depoe Bay. Some of them bounce out in and out of the water, creating a delight-filled show for all those aboard.

They are named Risso's dolphins, to be exact – not Risso dolphins.

See the Depoe Bay-area video of Risso's dolphins.

While Oregon Coast Beach Connection was unable to get hold of the video, Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium provided this video of a small pod of Risso's off Nehalem. The video comes from a friend of hers, Kelly Laviolette, taken this summer.

“They are not that rare, they just tend to stay further offshore, so encounters are rare,” Boothe told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

Most of the time when they are seen close to shore, they're actually dead and washing up on the beach. Seaside Aquarium has responded to numerous instances of this over the last 20 years.

Boothe said they can be found worldwide in tropical and warm-temperate waters.

“On the West coast they tend to stay in warmer waters off of California but they do come up north during the spring and summer,” Boothe said. “They typically travel in groups of 10-30 but can also travel alone. In the United States they are not endangered or threatened but like all marine mammals they are protected in the Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

What's their favorite food?

“They feed on smaller fish like anchovies and squid,” Boothe said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Risso's dolphins are sometimes called gray dolphins. They tend to favor deeper offshore areas, particularly along the edges and slopes of continental shelves, where they can dive to depths of at least 1,000 feet and remain submerged for up to 30 minutes. Despite these deep-diving abilities, they are frequently active at the surface.

These dolphins are most often seen in groups ranging from 10 to 30 individuals, though sightings have included solitary animals, pairs, and large, loosely organized gatherings numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. They occasionally interact with other dolphin and whale species. Risso's dolphins are sometimes grouped within a subfamily known as “blackfish,” which also includes false killer whales, pygmy killer whales, melon-headed whales, and both long- and short-finned pilot whales.

“Males and females are usually about the same size,” NOAA said in their documentation. “They have a bulbous head with a vertical crease and an indistinguishable rostrum. They have a tall, curved, sickle-shaped dorsal fin located mid-way down their back.”

The central coast has been the scene of quite a few engaging sightings in recent weeks. A good run of blue whales were seen in the area as well as orcas. It does not mean you're guaranteed to be treated to these discoveries, but heading out on one of the area's whale watch tours will greatly increase your chances.

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