Have you ever seen a dolphin splashing and rolling along one of our shorelines or muddy marsh banks — like this? This practice is called strand feeding, a special technique that bottlenose dolphins have perfected to catch fish. You can see it in action right here in the Lowcountry.
So what is it? Strand feeding is when a group of dolphins herd fish into shallow waters, then use their bodies to create a large wave to push their prey and themselves onto shore to eat, before quickly returning to the water. Teamwork makes the dream work. Fun fact: this is a learned behavior that the animals learn from their mothers and isn’t commonly seen in areas outside of SC + GA.
You can spot dolphins strand feeding year-round, but for the best chances, keep an eye out during late August through November, especially when the tide is rising. This window is particularly active because mullet (the fish dolphins are after) migrate from rivers and creeks to the ocean, and dolphins look to load up as they prepare for winter.
If you’re planning to see Mother Nature in action, always follow the rules.
