Rare Pink Dolphins Spotted Near Oman’s Muscat Coast

An unusual sighting of a group of pinkish dolphins near Qantab Beach, close to Oman’s capital Muscat, has attracted widespread attention after videos emerged showing the rare-looking marine mammals swimming close to the shore in the Gulf of Oman.

The footage, reportedly captured in mid-October 2026, shows the pale pink-colored dolphins surfacing and moving through the water, in some instances alongside darker-colored dolphins. The striking appearance of the animals has sparked interest among marine enthusiasts and wildlife observers.

Marine experts have yet to confirm the exact species of the dolphins. One possibility is the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, which inhabits coastal waters around Oman and can develop pinkish tones as it matures. The coloration may result from blood vessels showing through lighter skin.

Amazon river dolphins, widely known as pink dolphins, are not a possibility in Omani waters because they inhabit freshwater river systems in South America rather than the ocean.

Oman’s coastal waters are home to several dolphin species, including spinner, common and bottlenose dolphins. However, dolphins displaying such pronounced pinkish hues are an unusual sight in the region.

Pink dolphins have also been documented elsewhere in the world. A bottlenose dolphin known as “Pinky” has been repeatedly sighted in the waters of Louisiana in the United States since 2007. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins found in parts of Asia can also display pinkish coloration.

The reported encounter has highlighted the marine biodiversity of Oman’s coastline and renewed interest in the dolphin species inhabiting the Gulf of Oman.