Rare albino dolphin spotted swimming with pals alongside stunned tourists

A rare white dolphin has been spotted swimming with its pod alongside stunned tourists.

Excited holidaymakers pointed out the distinctive mammal to their guide who quickly picked up a camera.

Footage shows the mammal, which appears to be an albino spinner dolphin, gliding through the waves with its pals.

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The footage was shared to Facebook where it gathered over 250,000 views, 7,000 likes and 200 comments from fans.

In the 25-second clip, the dolphin, which is most likely a juvenile due to its size, briefly breaches the surface before disappearing below, as reported by What’s The Jam.

Members of the tour group can be heard cheering in the background.

Hui commented: “We are the luckiest group to witness the white dolphin flying today.”

Aiko said: “Please protect the white spinning dolphin.”

Ping added: “Looks like a kid.”

Someone else said: “Awesome like cartoon.”

Another user added: “Awesome, so lucky.”

Someone else said: “It’s so little, white and different. Beautiful.”

The footage was recorded near Wushi Harbour on Taiwan’s northeast coast.

The tour operator that shared the post, Lin Cheng-liao, said it was the first time in 10 years he had spotted a white dolphin in person.

While spotting them near shore is extremely rare, a study by the Ocean Conservation Association estimated that Taiwan’s coastal waters are home to many albino dolphins.

The OCA said last year’s survey identified 29 white dolphins.

The study found that the population appeared to be increasing, which could make Taiwan one of the best habitats in the world for spotting white dolphins.

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