Spotted Eagle Ray
Aetobatus narinari
Sighting evidence at Salt River Canyon, US Virgin Islands
Photo: michel candel · CC BY-NC-SA
Salt River's open canyon mouth channels spotted eagle rays up from deeper water during incoming tides, creating predictable blue-water encounters at the canyon rim. Schools of up to a dozen individuals have been documented wheeling in formation just off the wall edge, drawn by the current upwelling nutrient-rich water. Their 2-metre wingspan and polka-dot patterning make every pass a memorable spectacle even for experienced divers.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Spotted Eagle Ray is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.