Short-beaked Common Dolphin

The most abundant cetacean off the Portuguese coast, and the one you're most likely to meet on the crossing. A small, slender dolphin with a prominent beak, it's unmistakable for the pale hourglass along its flanks, yellow-tan in front, grey behind, over a white belly. It prefers waters around 100 m deep, making Peniche, Nazaré and the Berlengas prime viewing, and is highly gregarious, forming groups of dozens that feed mainly on sardines, ride bow-waves and leap clear of the water.