What is the Fastest Ocean Animal in the World?

The fastest ocean animal is widely considered to be the sailfish. Traditionally, it has been credited with reaching burst speeds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph), with the black marlin also reported to reach similar bursts of speed. Sailfish speed is a major survival advantage in marine ecosystems and plays a crucial role in predator-prey dynamics, allowing them to outmaneuver prey fish while their bill-slashing technique disrupts school formations. However, its record speeds are debated. A 2016 scientific study published in Biology Open estimated the sailfish’s maximum swimming speed at around 30 km/h (19 mph), concluding that it is unlikely to exceed 36-54 km/h (22-34 mph), as higher speeds would likely cause cavitation that could damage its fins. According to NOAA, sailfish, swordfish, and marlin are among the fastest fish in the ocean, crediting their speeds of up to 110 km/h (70 mph).

Although researchers continue to debate the exact top speeds that these remarkable predators are capable of reaching, sailfish, swordfish, tuna, sharks, and other marine speedsters remain among the fastest swimmers in the ocean. With thousands of aquatic species living and traveling throughout the world's oceans, some of them move at astonishing speeds. Keep reading to discover the ocean's record holders for fast swimming, deep diving, and long-distance travel.

Top 10 Fastest Ocean Animals Speed Ranking

Rank	Animal	Speed in km/h (mph)
1	Sailfish	110 km/h (68 mph)* These exact high speeds are continuously debated.
2	Swordfish	97 km/h (60 mph)* Based on historical estimates, modern studies estimate it to be lower.
3	Yellowfin Tuna	74 km/h (46 mph)
4	Shortfin Mako Shark	74 km/h (46 mph)
5	Atlantic Bluefin Tuna	69 km/h (43 mph)
6	Bonito	64 km/h (40 mph)
7	Killer Whale	56 km/h (35 mph)
8	Flying Fish	56 km/h (35 mph)
9	Black Marlin	52 km/h (32 mph)
10	Pilot Whale	32 km/h (20 mph)

The Top 10 Fastest Fish in the Ocean

It’s hard to believe, but some marine animals cruise through the oceans at incredible speeds (not unlike a fast car ride). Considering that water is around 800 times as dense as air, it is not surprising that the fastest marine animals have adapted to move effortlessly through the ocean. Such evolutionary adaptations include streamlined torpedo-shaped bodies, specialized muscle composition, and hydrodynamic features that minimize drag forces in water. Learn about the fastest sea creatures in our top 10 list below.

10 - Pilot Whale: 32 km/h (20 mph)

Pilot whales, also known as pothead whales thanks to their bulging and round foreheads, are similar to dolphins and killer whales. They divide further into long-finned and short-finned representatives of their species with a very similar appearance aside from their flipper length. Reaching moderate speeds of up to 32 km/h (20 mph), these marine animals travel the oceans in large groups in the dozens and hundreds. Female pilot whales can weigh up to 2.3 tons and live up to 60 years, while their male counterparts reach only about 1.3 tons and live up to 45 years. Short-finned pilot whales are present around the world in all oceans, except the Arctic. Long-finned pilot whales are not found in tropical waters. And they’re really good eaters. Did you know that they consume up to 30 kg (70 lb) of food daily?

Pilot Whale

Imaged by Cayambe, this file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

9 - Black Marlin: 52 km/h (32 mph)

Featuring a sword-like bill and an elongated back fin, the black marlin can reach a length of ca. 4.6 m (15 ft). While it may be just a fisherman’s tale (and an exaggeration), one of its kind was presumably recorded at a speed of 132 km/h (82 mph)! Generally, the black marlin is known to travel at more leisurely speeds of 52 km/h (32 mph). While females can reach up to 11 years of age, males have a much shorter life span of only 5 years. Preferring shallow waters, black marlins rarely swim deeper than 30 m (ca. 100 ft) and stay close to coral reefs and islands of tropical and subtropical waters. You’ll find them predominantly in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Did you know that a black marlin’s age can be determined by looking at the growth rings on the spine of its dorsal fin?

Black Marlin

Imaged by Tom Trnski, this image has been released as "CCBY" by Auckland Museum.

8- Flying Fish: 56 km/h (35 mph)

There are at least 40 species of flying fish. At only 15-51 cm (6-20 in) in length, the four-winged flying fish can reach speeds up to 56 km/h (35 mph). Is it a fish or bird? Its appearance and behavior can fool you at first. This fellow doesn’t only stick to water: with its wing-like pectoral and pelvic fins, it can glide above the ocean surface for up to 200 m (650 ft). Flying fish show unique aquatic survival adaptations, using their areal gliding ability as an escape mechanism when pursued by high-speed marine predators. Flying fish live to around five years on average.

Flying Fish

Imaged by Gervais et Boulart, this work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or fewer.

7 - Killer Whale: 56 km/h (35 mph)

Also called orcas, killer whales can swim as fast as 56 km/h (35 mph). Coming in second after their relatives, the dolphins, orcas are among the fastest marine mammals. They can reach a length of 5.8 m (19 ft). Don’t let their name fool you, killer whales aren’t dangerous to humans. In ancient times, sailors spotted them hunting whales in groups and thus called them “whale killers.” Orcas do not only feed on whales but on a variety of other ocean animals, such as fish, penguins, sharks, seals, and even sea birds. You can find them in all the world’s oceans, from the Arctic to Antarctic waters. And they have more in common with humans than you’d expect! Orcas are one of three species in the animal world that go through menopause. And did you know that male orcas are real mommy’s boys? According to Dr. Emma Foster, a marine biologist at Exeter University in England, male orcas often stick to their mothers, who help their sons with foraging and protect them from other males!

Observe killer whales and their social behaviors up close during an Antarctica Peninsula cruise aboard our small 114-passenger expedition ship, M/V Sea Spirit. Expect intimate wildlife encounters in a small group of like-minded travelers, led by our professional expedition team of naturalists and marine biologists. Discover the unique wildlife ashore and in Zodiac boats, without group rotations and waiting aboard, maximizing your time to explore.

Killer Whale

6 - Bonito: 64 km/h (40 mph)

Bonitos have a tuna-like appearance and come in eight different species. The distinctive striped pattern on their sides makes them stand out from similar fish. At 1.2 m (48 in) in length, they can reach up to 64 km/h (40 mph) and usually travel in large schools.

Bonito

Imaged by Sherman Foote Denton, this work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or fewer.

5 - Bluefin Tuna: 69 km/h (43 mph)

A tad slower than its relative, the yellowfin tuna, an average bluefin can reach up to 69 km/h (43 mph). With lengths of up to 4.6 m (15 ft), bluefins are among the largest of their kind. They optimize marine energy efficiency through their warm-blooded physiology, which optimizes muscle function for sustained high-speed swimming while maintaining metabolic balance during long-distance migrations. While their average lifespan is up to 15 years, some were recorded to have reached over 35 years of age. As great aquatic migrators, they can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern oceans. And they know how to stay warm in the cold waters of the oceans! With a specialized blood vessel structure, they can keep their body temperature at warmer levels than the cold water surrounding them.

Bluefin Tuna

Imaged by Unknown author, this image is in the public domain because it contains materials that originally came from the U.S.

4 - Yellowfin Tuna: 74 km/h (45 mph)

You may know this fellow as ahi tuna from your local sushi restaurant; it’s a species that’s endangered by overfishing worldwide. This dark blue, torpedo-shaped fish with yellow sides usually travels in large schools of various other tuna species, reaching speeds of up to 74km/h (46mph). With a lifespan of up to 8 years, this marine animal can reach a length of up to 2m (7ft). Yellowfin tunas dominate pelagic ecosystems worldwide and migrate actively, which is why you’ll find them throughout the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.

Yellowfin Tuna

Imaged by Hugues Evano, this file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

3 - Mako Shark: 74 km/h (45 mph)

Considered to be the fastest shark in the world, with a length of up to 4.5m (15ft), the mako shark can reach speeds of up to 74km/h (45mph). Dr. Diego Bernal from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth links their extreme swimming speeds to their need to chase prey. “What’s unique about makos is their white muscle so highly evolved for speed. If you look at the biochemistry, a mako’s engine is more finely tuned for short, fast bursts. That’s what makes them stand out,” explains Dr. Bernal.

Makos owe their speeds to remarkable features that are copied by designers of ergonomic swimsuits. Mako sharks have unique tooth-like scales that reduce drag in water and make them faster. Their scales also protect them against predators and parasites. Mako sharks can reach up to 30 years of age. But beware! Watch out for this marine animal. Shortfin makos have a low tolerance for people swimming around them and have occasionally attacked humans.

Mako Shark

Imaged by Mark Conlin, this image is in the public domain because it contains materials that originally came from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, taken or made as part of an employee's official duties.

2 - Swordfish: 97 km/h (60 mph)

Named after its defining feature, this solitary hunter of the pelagic zone uses its sword-like bill to slash, cut, and thus slow down its prey. The swordfish can be up to ca. 4.3 m (14 ft) in length and reach a speed of 97 km/h (60 mph). Did you know that the swordfish enjoys its solitude? It often travels alone, has few natural predators, and can live up to 9 years. The greatest threat to swordfish are trophy hunters and fishermen. You can find this majestic creature in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, from tropical to cold waters.

Swordfish

This image is in the public domain because it contains materials that originally came from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, taken or made as part of an employee's official duties.

1 - Sailfish: 110 km/h (68 mph)

Recorded at speeds of 110 km/h (68 mph) during leaps out of the water, this distinctive fellow boasts a large sail-like dorsal fin on its back. It uses it to sail swiftly through the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, hunting prey like squids and crustaceans. With a length of ca. 3.4 m (11 ft), the fastest sea animal in the world and a close relative of the black marlin also features a sword-like bill.

Sailfish swim so fast because of their massive blocks of muscle running down their sides, which works like a built-in turbo booster. According to experts like the NOAA Fisheries Service, these muscles contract incredibly fast to provide sudden, explosive bursts of speed.

Sailfish use teamwork to hunt schools of prey, like sardines, by building “fences” with their sails. They use slashing bill mechanics to insert their bills into bait balls and use hyper-accelerated slashes to stun sardines.

They can live up to 15 years, but the ones caught and released by sport fishermen only have an average lifespan of 5 years. Even if released, the trauma from handling and pulling it out of the water for victory photos deprives it of oxygen and damages the delicate slime coat that protects the fish from parasites.

Sailfish

Imaged by Raver Duane, this work has been released into the public domain by its author, Raver Duane, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This applies worldwide.

Fastest Marine Mammal

Cute and beloved by many, dolphins are also the fastest among marine mammals in the world. At 60 km/h (37 mph) they can out-swim their orca cousins, who reach only 56 km/h (34 mph).

Unlike fish, dolphins are mammals and don’t have gills. That’s why you can see them leaping out of the water to take a breath and for navigation, to get rid of parasites, non-verbal communication during hunting, and simply for fun. With over 42 subspecies, they are found all over the world in different habitats. Most dolphins live to an average age of 7-10 years, but there are a few record holders in the world. Nicklo, a wild dolphin in Florida, lived to be 67 before his presumed death in 2017.

Speed isn’t the only remarkable ability that defines marine excellence. The ocean’s record holders also demonstrate extraordinary capabilities in diving depths and migration distances. Through extensive Arctic expedition experience, we frequently observe dolphins riding bow waves of expedition vessels, demonstrating their playful nature and remarkable speed. Aboard our expedition cruises, dolphins often approach our ship, M/V Sea Spirit, and our team will point out sightings to travelers.

Fastest Marine Mammal

Deepest Diver

It’s not all about the fastest swimming animal; there are also several record holders of deep diving among marine animals. The beloved icon of Antarctica, the emperor penguin, can dive down to 535 m (1,755 ft) to feed on prey and, hold your breath, stay underwater up to 27 minutes! Elephant seals, our large iconic pinnipeds of South Georgia Island, can dive to depths of 2,388 m (7,835 ft) and stay underwater for over 60 minutes at a time! The large volume of blood in their massive bodies and higher levels of myoglobin allow for optimal storage of oxygen in their muscles for their long dives. The record holder among ocean animals in both depth and length is the cuvier’s beaked whale, with a dive of 2 hours and 17 minutes to depths of 2,992 m (9,874 ft).

Greatest Marine Migration

You may consider yourself an avid world traveler, but migrating patterns of humpback whales may put your travel history to shame. Humpback whales are present in all the world’s oceans and travel incredible distances of up to 8,000 km (5,000 miles) each season.

Winter is their time to mate and calve in tropical areas near the shores, while summer months are reserved for moving north to feed in colder waters. As true migration masters, they cover great distances in no time...4,800 km (3,000 miles) in 28 days is not unheard of. You can spot them in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Greatest Marine Migration

Penguins Swimming

While not the fastest in absolute terms, penguins represent incredible underwater efficiency, transforming from clumsy land animals into torpedo-like swimmers and excellent divers. Their ergonomically-shaped, sleek bodies reduce drag in the water and allow them to dart through the ocean effortlessly. Their wings are actually called flippers and function as propellers for extra speed. When swimming underwater, penguins tuck their webbed feet close to their tails for better navigation. Gentoo penguins are the fastest of them all with an underwater speed of up to 36 km/h (22 mph)!

Penguins Swimming

FAQ

What is the fastest thing on Earth?

Expectedly the fastest things on Earth are human-made. Satellites orbiting in low Earth orbit travel at speeds of around 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph). Space shuttles reach similar speeds to enter orbit around Earth. However, the fastest thing in the universe is still light, traveling at approximately 300,000 km per second (186,000 miles per second).

What makes marine animals so fast?

Marine speed depends on specialized muscle composition, streamlined body design, fin efficiency, and energy systems. Fast-twitch muscle fibers provide burst acceleration, while hydrodynamic shapes minimize drag forces.

Is a sailfish faster than a cheetah?

Cheetahs can reach a maximum speed of up to 130km/h (around 80 mph), whereas sailfish were recorded swimming at only 110km/h (68mph).

What is the fastest animal in the world (including land and sea)?

The absolute record holder in the animal world is the peregrine falcon with a flying speed of up to 320km/h (200mph) when dropping from the sky to strike its prey. On land, the fastest animal worldwide is considered to be the cheetah with sprints of up to 130km/h (around 80 mph). Underwater, the sailfish holds the record as the ocean’s fastest animal with speeds of up to 110km/h (68mph).

What is the fastest thing on Earth?

Expectedly the fastest things on Earth are manmade. Satellites travelling in space can reach up to 43,600km/h (157,078mph). Space shuttles take off from earth at speeds of at least 4,800km/h (17,500mph). However the fastest thing in the world is still light, traveling at 300,000 km per second (186,000 miles per second).