The Spinner dolphin gets it's name from it's incredible acrobatic skills, as it leaps from the water in high spinning aerial movements, though its scientific name originated in its reference to the dolphin's long snout, or rostrum - longirostrus, meaning long rostrum. All forms of Spinner dolphins measure between 1.3 metres and 2.1 metres. Weight is generally around 45 kg to 75 kg.

This dolphin is often been seen resting and travelling with numbers around 100 to 300, though groups of over 1,000 in offshore regions are reported. Large groups then have smaller sub-groups that define individuals according to age, sex and behavioural activity.

Highly social, Spinners often associate with other cetaceans such as Pilot Whales (Globicephala melas/macrorhynchus) and Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis/attenuata). Spinners are very acrobatic with their somersaults, high spinning leaps and many other aerial activities. They often jump from the water and continuously spin, and their movements consist of a variety of leaps and spins, such as the tail over head leap. They also enjoy bow riding on the pressure of the bow waves. They are vocal in their whistles and clicks, and can swim as fast as 20 km per hour. Spinners are particularly active toward dusk. Below is a list and description of their various aerial movements and behaviour.

These dolphins often leap in the company of fast-moving schools, with the tail over head being the most common and vigorous. The dolphin thrusts its entire body out of the water, throwing its tail over its head and landing tail first on its dorsal cape or back.

Dolphins travelling in moving schools are often seen rising as much as l/2 of their bodies out of the water, then slapping their back, side, or belly against the surface of the water. These slaps often happen in the direction of travel, and do not create the loud smacking sounds associated with tail slaps and spins Bursting from the water, and by twisting its neck and body, Spinners can perform as many as 7 rotations during a single leap that can take them as high as 2 metres in the air in just over one second. Spins are often performed in a series.

This behaviour may include stroking one another with their pectoral fins, swimming belly to belly with another animal, or opening one's mouth and raking the other animal gently with the teeth (much like scratching). This is one way that they communicate Dolphins are highly perceptive of their surrounding environment, and are often found playing with inanimate objects in both captivity and the wild. Dolphins have frequently been seen using plastic bags, pieces of seaweed, or any other debris as objects to toss around, drag off one's pectoral fins or flukes, and exchange with other members, much like our "tag" or "catch." games.

Most species of dolphins are attracted to the pressure wave created by moving boats and is common behaviour as they ride on the bow waves and stern waves. It is believed that this behaviour is for pure enjoyment or a free ride, much like body surfing in humans.
The Spinner dolphin feeds on a variety of fish and squid, often swimming with the spotted dolphin though it's feeding area usually goes much deeper. Spinners are different in the fact that they are nocturnal in their feeding habits.

This dolphin breathes many times per minute. They have no fear of boats and approaches them with ease, often accompanying them for half an hour or more. A speedy swimmer, the Spinner dolphin can travel at speeds of about 20 km per hour, with a top speed of around 37 km per hour. It is believed that they can dive to a depth of 6 metres to feed. There are a number of geographic varieties of the Spinner dolphin, though there are no sub-species.