The mating tactics and behaviors of cetacean (whale, dolphin, and porpoise) species are largely unknown. The use of drones provides a novel way to follow and video-record individual cetaceans during mating interactions and discern how specific behaviors exhibited by both sexes alter the number and duration of copulations. A drone was flown over mating groups of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) off Kaikoura, New Zealand. Forty-three videos were analyzed to determine if the behavioral sequences of particular males led to increased copulatory durations, higher rates of copulation, and reciprocated affiliative behaviors from females. The duration of specific male pre-copulatory behaviors impacted the durations of copulations. This pattern was most evident with prolonged inverted swims by males resulting in copulations with long durations. Specific male behavioral sequences that preceded copulatory positioning led to higher rates of copulation with females. Affiliative behaviors initiated by males and reciprocated by females, such as nuzzling and spiral swimming, tended to precede copulatory bouts. This study advances dolphin mating research by highlighting which behavioral sequences result in frequent and prolonged copulations. The aerial perspective provided by a drone enabled individual tracking of dolphins over time and a non-invasive approach that would not be possible by boat.