Flexi Says: Bottlenose dolphins typically swim at speeds of 5-11 kilometers per hour (km/h), or 3-7 miles per hour (mph). However, they can reach much greater speeds for short bursts. Dolphins have been observed swimming alongside boats at up to 29 km/h, or 18 mph. Dolphins sometimes "surf" on ocean swells or a boat's bow or stern wake, which can increase their speed and efficiency. Riding a wave or a wake, a dolphin can go almost twice as fast using the same energy cost.
