Giant manta ray
Mobula birostris
Sighting evidence at Baixo do Sul, Azores — Faial and Pico
Photo: Programa Marino del Golfo de California · CC BY-NC
Giant manta rays visit the productive waters around Baixo do Sul from August through November, drawn by dense concentrations of zooplankton concentrated by upwelling around the volcanic plateau. With wingspans reaching 7 metres, these are the largest rays in the ocean and one of the most compelling encounters in diving anywhere in the Atlantic. The Azores represents a significant North Atlantic cleaning station for this Endangered species, with some individuals identified recurring across multiple years.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Giant manta ray is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.