These acroatic dolphins prove that you don’t need a surfboard to ride the waves.

The pod of 40 bottlenose dolphins were seen leaping from the tail of breaking waves that were rolling towards the shoreline.

Despite facing waves of up to eight feet, some of the most energetic marine animals were seen jumping six feet out of the sea.

Who needs a surfboard? This pod of 40 bottlenose dolphins were seen riding 8 foot high waves as they made their way up the east coast of South Africa.

Acroatic – Despite facing waves as high as eight feet, some of the most energetic marine animals were seen leaping six feet out of the sea.

The dolphins were photographed by Mark ʋan Collier as they made their way north up the east coast of South Africa near Port St Johns.

Mark traveled alongside the capsule on a float and was surprised to see so many dolphins ‘surfing’ at once.

There were no human surfers around to take note of the skilled dolphins as that part of the coast tends to only be frequented by a few local fishermen.

Wildlife photographer Mark, 36, from Cape Town, South Africa, said: “This was a very large pod for ottlenose dolphins.

Like a salon: Photographer Mark ʋan Collier said: “Most of the dolphins were pretty conservative with their leaps, but one or two would occasionally reach for the sky.”

Septacular: Bottlenose dolphins have been known to jump up to 16 feet out of the water

Riding High – Dolphins can reach speeds of up to 18 mph in the water and their pods are typically between 10 and 30 meters.

“Most of the dolphins were pretty careful with their leaps, but one or two would occasionally reach for the sky and jump 6 feet off the back of a breaker.

They seemed to be enjoying themselves repeatedly surfing the waves that rolled into the many small bays along the stretch of coastline.

‘I’ve seen dolphins do this many times in groups of one and two, but to see such a large group joining in on the fun was truly amazing.

“I consider myself more of a specialist water photographer, so I am extremely pleased with these images.”

Although these dolphins displayed some spectacular jumps, Nose-nose dolphins have been known to jump up to 16 feet out of the water.

Mammals are graceful swimmers and can reach speeds of up to 18 mph in the water; their herds usually include between 10 and 30 meters.