DOLPHINS were breaching very close to a dive boat earlier this week, to the delight of the passengers. 

A group of five to six common dolphins came up to the boat, called Trevor Small, near Old Harry Rocks on Monday evening, June 20.

Cameron Josic, who captured the remarkable scene on video, said people were “happy” to see the dolphins. 

He said: “People on the boat saw them in the distance. 

“There were five to six common dolphins in the water playing with the boat.  

“Everybody was happy to see them. We all rushed to the side of the boat to look at them from the top.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Dolphins getting close to a dive boat. Photo and video by Cameron JosicDolphins getting close to a dive boat. Photo and video by Cameron Josic

The dolphins, which are tricoloured (grey, white and yellow in a distinctive hourglass pattern), can weigh up to 150kg and can grow up to 2.7 metres long. 

They have an average lifespan of up to 35 years and can be seen all year round on the south and west coasts. 

Dolphins are a common sight in the waters near Bournemouth

Read more: Bottlenose dolphins spotted near Bournemouth beach

Read more: Dolphins caught on camera playing near Bournemouth Pier

In April, a group of up to 20 bottlenose dolphins were spotted frolicking around in the water, following boats out at sea.  

Lexi Inman, who was working along the beach when she saw the aquatic mammals splash around, said the sight was “really amazing to see”, adding:  “There was a couple of us who saw them and several of them were following a fishing boat and some were getting close to the beach.”