They are found in the Eastern hemisphere along the coasts of Asia, Western Africa, and Australia. Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins range from 220 to 230 cm in length, females may be slightly smaller. The beak is long and slender, usually exposed when surfacing. When diving the back is strongly arched. Color can vary greatly between different populations, ages, and individuals.
Coloration is typically light gray or a lighter shade of blue.
Calves are typically darker than adults. The underside is speckled and lighter colored than the dorsal surface. When searching for food they use echolocation and hunt in small groups. They have been known to hunt singly. They tend to feed independently whether they hunt singly or in groups, this may reflect on the density of their prey and the schooling behavior of the dolphins themselves.