The best spots for diving with mobulas, manta rays, eagle rays, and other rays
Stingrays are fascinating animals, and there’s quite a lot to say about them. That’s partly because there are many different species, and they’re found in many different places around the world. In this blog, we’ll explain everything about rays: the different species, where you’re most likely to spot a particular ray, and even more facts about these remarkable animals.
Table of contents
About the stingray
There are more than 600 recognized species of rays worldwide. They belong to the class of cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes), just like sharks and sawfish. And did you know that rays and sharks are closely related biologically? There are several key similarities: they both have a skeleton made of cartilage (not bone), no swim bladders, they breathe through spiracles (openings behind the eyes), and their skin is covered with skin teeth (denticles).
From an evolutionary perspective, rays are therefore “close relatives” of sharks. But while sharks usually swim actively, many rays often rest on the seafloor (except for manta rays and mobula rays).
Are stingrays an endangered species?
Although you have the chance to encounter rays in many different places around the world, it’s important to realize that these are endangered species.
Many species of rays are threatened, and in some cases even critically endangered. Like sharks, rays face severe pressure from overfishing, bycatch, and habitat loss. According to the IUCN Red List:
- One in three species of rays and sharks is threatened with extinction.
- Within the Mobulidae family (manta rays and mobula rays), all species are listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered.
- Many stingrays and guitarfish are also among the most endangered cartilaginous fish in the world.
The main groups of rays
- E agle rays: Eagle ray, spotted eagle ray, mobulas, mantas
- Devil rays (mobulas): Mobula rays (sometimes called small mantas)
- Giant Manta Rays: Oceanic and Reef Manta Rays
- Stingrays: Southern stingray, blue-spotted stingray
- Spiny stingrays: Often found in colder waters
- Guitar sharks: in appearance, they are somewhere between a ray and a shark
- Electric eels: can deliver electric shocks
You may notice that some species of rays are listed in two categories. This is because the classification of rays is still evolving, and some groups overlap or are being revised based on genetic research. New species are still regularly discovered or genetically split, especially among mobulas and mantas. We’ll explain the different groups below.
Eagle rays
Eagle rays immediately stand out because of their graceful, undulating swimming style and distinctive “spotted” back. They have a narrow, pointed head and a strikingly long whip-like tail, which clearly distinguishes them from, for example, stingrays. They can reach a wingspan of up to 3 meters, but generally behave much more cautiously than manta rays or mobula rays.
They often live around reefs, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs, and can be found both alone and in small groups. Eagle rays are usually shy and keep their distance from divers, though with a bit of luck you might see a small group gliding by (often just out of reach of your camera). They feed mainly on shellfish and crustaceans, which they dig out of the sand with their flat teeth.
Where and when can you see eagle rays?
Eagle rays are less seasonal than mobulas, but they are region-specific. You’ll find them mainly on reefs with expansive sandy flats or along reef walls where there are currents. There are actually quite a few places where you have a chance to spot eagle rays; here’s a selection for you:
| Location | Period | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Curaçao & Bonaire | All year round | Often solo or in pairs above the reef plateau or at drop-offs |
| Maldives (channel diving) | Dec–May (dry season) | Eagle rays often glide in formation through the current |
| Belize (Turneffe Atoll) | All year round | Good visibility and a chance to see small groups above the sand |
| Cayman Islands | All year round | Especially in sandy bottoms, sometimes surprisingly close by |
| Hawaii (Maui & Big Island) | All year round | Regular sightings, sometimes with manta rays nearby |
| Philippines (Apo Island, Moalboal) | All year round | Often along drop-offs, especially when there’s a current |
| Mozambique (Tofo) | May–October | Large eagle rays in open water, often alongside manta rays |
Mobulas
Mobulas belong to the same family as manta rays and look very similar. The main difference is their size. Mobulas are much smaller, with a wingspan usually ranging from 1 to 3 meters, while manta rays often have a wingspan of at least 4 meters. In addition, mobulas live more pelagically (in open water) and are less often found near cleaning stations. You’re probably familiar with these spots: specific areas on the reef where large marine animals gather to be “cleaned” by smaller fish.
And did you know that mobula rays sometimes leap meters out of the water? They probably do this to shake off parasites, as a social signal, or during mating season. Either way, it looks spectacular!
Where and when can you see mobulas?
Mobulas are often seen seasonally in certain locations. This usually occurs when plankton-rich water meets specific currents. Since mobulas follow their food (plankton), they don’t stay in the same place for long.
| Location | Period | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Baja California, Mexico | May–July | Tens of thousands of mobula rays at once! Often leaping |
| Sri Lanka (south coast) | February–April | Snorkeling is often possible when the sea is calm |
| Azores (Portugal) | June–September | Open-ocean diving, sometimes with manta rays |
| Philippines (Tubbataha) | March – June | Seasonal diving on a remote reef |
| Galápagos | June–December | Mobulas and manta rays may overlap |
Mantas
Mantas are the larger cousins of mobulas. With a wingspan of 4 to as much as 7 meters, they are true giants of the ocean. Unlike mobulas, manta rays are more commonly found around reefs and are frequently spotted at cleaning stations. Here, manta rays sometimes “hang” motionless in the water for minutes at a time, which makes these spots especially special for diving.
There are two types of manta rays: the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi), which usually lives in shallower waters, and the oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris), which is found primarily in the open ocean. Both are filter feeders and often migrate to areas rich in plankton, just like mobulas.
Where and when can you see manta rays?
Mantas are often seen in specific locations and are less “migratory” than mobulas. They regularly return to the same cleaning stations or feeding grounds. Well-known hotspots include Raja Ampat, Komodo, the Maldives, and Socorro (Mexico). The season varies by location.
| Location | Period | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Nusa Penida (Bali, Indonesia) | Year-round (best visibility: May–November) | Cleaning stations at Manta Point; reef manta rays are common, sometimes several at once |
| Raja Ampat (Indonesia) | Oct–Apr (west), May–Sept (south) | High chance of seeing manta rays at Manta Sandy & Manta Ridge; few other divers |
| Komodo (Indonesia) | April–November | Oceanic manta rays at Manta Alley, sometimes dozens at a time |
| Maldives (Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll) | June–November | Huge concentrations during plankton blooms; snorkeling is often preferred over diving |
| Socorro (Mexico) | Nov – June | Very approachable oceanic manta rays, often interacting with divers |
| Yap (Micronesia) | All year round, peak season: Dec–Apr | Manta rays are site-faithful; cleaning stations are located near resort dive sites |
| Hawaii (Kona) | All year round | Night dive with manta rays at illuminated cleaning stations—unique worldwide |
| Galápagos (Ecuador) | June–November | Giant oceanic manta rays near Isabela and Darwin; often drift dives |
Stingrays
Stingrays are perhaps the best-known rays among divers and snorkelers. You can recognize them by their flat, round to diamond-shaped bodies and their long tails, which often contain venomous spines. Unlike manta rays and eagle rays, they usually lie still on the sandy bottom (often partially buried), where they search for small crustaceans, small fish, and worms.
Although most species are fairly docile, you should always keep a safe distance: the barb on their tail is a defense mechanism and can be dangerous if you come into unexpected contact with them. Fortunately, stingrays aren’t aggressive and usually just swim away if you get too close. However, this is the type of ray responsible for Steve Irwin’s death, which is why some people are still afraid of them. You’ll mostly hear this from non-divers. There’s no need to be afraid, because as always, you should keep your distance and leave every animal alone and treat it with respect.
Where and when can you see stingrays?
Stingrays are widespread and can be seen year-round in tropical and subtropical waters. Most species are bottom-dwellers, so you’ll find them mainly on sandy flats, in lagoons, or around coral reefs. Sometimes it takes a bit of searching to find them, because they burrow into the sand and are well-hidden.
| Location | Period | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Cayman Islands (Stingray City) | All year round | Iconic, interactive spot with dozens of southern stingrays |
| Bahamas (Compass Cay & Bimini) | All year round | Stingrays in clear, shallow water—often visible while snorkeling |
| Moorea (French Polynesia) | All year round | Snorkeling with stingrays in the lagoon, often with blacktip sharks |
| Great Barrier Reef (Australia) | All year round | Various species, including the blue-spotted stingray |
| Maldives (sand flats around resorts) | Dec – May | Often during night dives or at dusk |
| Egypt (Red Sea) | All year round | The blue-spotted stingray is common at dive sites |
| Bonaire & Curaçao | All year round | Frequently seen on sandy bottoms along the reef |
Thornback rays
Spiny rays are found primarily in temperate and cold seas, such as the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. They have a diamond-shaped body, a fairly short tail, and live mostly on or just above the seafloor. Unlike manta rays or eagle rays, for example, they rarely swim in open water. Spiny rays are shy, well-camouflaged, and are often only spotted when they swim away. For divers in European waters, an encounter with a spiny ray is a special moment, especially since some species, such as the common spiny ray, are vulnerable due to bycatch and slow reproduction. To prevent extinction, they are bred in captivity and released into the ocean in some countries (such as the Netherlands).
Where and when can you see spiny stingrays?
Spiny stingrays are found primarily in the temperate and cold coastal waters of Europe, where they are present year-round. Because they lie well-camouflaged on the seafloor, you often don’t notice them until they swim away. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms and are most commonly spotted while diving on shipwrecks, in estuaries, or on flat seabeds with little current. You can encounter spiny stingrays at specific locations in the Netherlands, France, and the UK.
Guitar Rags
Guitarrays are a distinctive group among cartilaginous fish; with their elongated, shark-like snout and flattened body, they resemble a cross between a shark and a ray. They belong to a separate order (Rhinobatiformes) but share characteristics with both groups. Guitarfish live primarily on or just above sandy bottoms, where they feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. Guitarrays are highly endangered: some species are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, primarily due to bycatch and overfishing.
Many species are rarely seen by recreational divers, as they often live at greater depths or in areas with little tourist diving activity. Nevertheless, there are regions where the chance of an encounter is real, especially in tropical and subtropical waters.
Where and when can you see guitarfish?
Guitarfish are found worldwide, but it is mainly in tropical coastal waters that divers occasionally encounter them. They often lie motionless on sandy or muddy bottoms and can be well camouflaged. You’ll have the best chance of spotting them during calm dives on sandy plateaus or near mangroves, estuaries, and reef edges.
| Location | Period | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique (Tofo & Vilanculos) | May–October | Regular sightings of giant guitar rays on sandy flats |
| Red Sea (Egypt, southern reefs) | All year round | Guitar rays are sometimes seen at Daedalus, Fury Shoals and St. Louis. Johns |
| Philippines (Apo Island, Tubbataha) | March – June | Rare, but possible near sandy drop-offs and reefs |
| Bahamas | All year round | Chance to see guitar rays in lagoons, often during calm, shallow dives |
| Australia (Shark Bay & Ningaloo) | April–October | Various species, including the giant shovelnose ray (a family related to guitarfish) |
The best places to dive with different species of rays
When we look at the number of species, the likelihood of sightings, and the diversity within the ray family, a few areas really stand out. Here are our top 3…
🥇 Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Raja Ampat is one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world, including for stingrays. In addition to stingrays, the area is also rich in sharks, colorful coral, and tropical marine life, making every dive here a special experience. The best time to visit is from October through April (western sites) and May through September (southern Misool).
- Rifmantas at cleaning stations (Manta Sandy, Manta Ridge)
- Oceanic manta rays in open water or near deep drop-offs
- Blue-spotted stingrays on the sandy bottom
- Marble rays, often burrowed
- Eagle rays around reefs with currents
🥈 Maldives
Known for its cleaning stations where various stingrays gather. The best time to visit is from June through November (for Hanifaru) and December through May for clear visibility and drift diving.
- Rifmantas (Hanifaru Bay, cleaning stations at resorts)
- Eagle rays
- Stingrays on sandy flats near resorts and reefs
- Occasionally, a guitarfish or rarer species during night dives
🥉 Baja California, Mexico
Fewer species, but spectacular aggregations of thousands of animals and seasonal diversity. The best time to visit is May–July (mobula aggregations) and October–December (for larger species).
- Mobula rays in huge schools (usually dominated by one species, but sometimes several)
- Occasional eagle rays in Baja Sur
- Stingrays in lagoons (La Paz, Cabo Pulmo)
- Possible oceanic manta rays in open water
🎖️ Honorable Mentions:
- Komodo (Indonesia) – for manta rays, stingrays, and eagle rays in the current
- Great Barrier Reef (Australia) – many species of stingrays + a chance to see eagle rays and manta rays
- Galápagos – giant manta rays, mobula rays, eagle rays (but fewer bottom-dwelling species)
See manta rays, mobulas, and stingrays with EWDR
Ready to hit the water? Check out some of our trips to the destinations mentioned above here. Have specific requests? Feel free to contact us for a travel proposal.
