A rare sighting of dolphins leaping out of the water near Southampton has been captured on camera.

The animals were spotted enjoying The Solent near Calshot last week.

A video by Izzy Powell, a crew member of Seafin charters, shows the dolphins breaking the surface of the water, and riding alongside a boat.

Pictures of the dolphins were also shared in a Facebook group, with commenters describing the scene as ‘amazing.’

One commenter said: ‘Oh wow, that’s incredible.’

Another added: “How absolutely wonderful.”

According to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, we have ‘some awesome species living right here in the Solent.’

A spokesperson said: “The region is quite sheltered, both by the Channel and the Isle of Wight, so we don’t tend to see the big baleen species, which prefer deep waters.

“The inshore habitat instead attracts dolphins and porpoises.

“While it is always possible for a wayfaring whale to drop by for a visit, you’re far more likely to see these three species: the short-beaked common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, and the harbour porpoise.”