A dolphin has been captured in Portland Harbour coming up close to visitors and swimming alongside their boat. 

Laura Abbott, from Dorchester, was out at Portland Harbour on the MV Freedom and was amazed to see a dolphin.

Laura said: "I work in Dorset for an amazing company and we support people and they love going out on the freedom boat. It’s just an amazing experience.

"The dolphins always come close, love being by the seaside."

Her videos show the dolphin swimming right up against the boat in clear waters and jumping and playing in the wake of the boat.

The dolphin was spotted on Friday, July 7.

According to the Dorset and Wildlife Trust, there are around 10 different cetacean species recorded in local waters. Just some live sightings have included bottlenose, common, striped and white-beaked dolphins.

In June, a man spotted a pod of around ten dolphins whilst out on a fishing trip off Abbotsbury.

Anyone who spots a dolphin or other marine mammal in Dorset can report the sighting at Kimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Those who do encounter dolphins should keep their distance and shouldn't feed or try to interact with them. 

Boats should maintain a steady speed and course and avoid encircling or chasing them. If the dolphins come close, the engines should be switched off.

Read more: WATCH: Dolphin encounters off Weymouth and Portland

Dorset and Wildlife Trust urges anyone who finds a beached or stranded cetacean to report it to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue by calling 01825 765546 or 07787 433412.

The M.V. Freedom is a charity based in Weymouth that has been providing access to the sea for those people living with disability since 1984.

In 2021 they received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.