Eagle ray
Aetobatus narinari
Confirmed at 36 dive sites in the atlas
Photo: michel candel · CC BY-NC-SA
Spotted eagle rays travel in loose aggregations through open water, exploiting tidal currents at channel corners to cover large distances efficiently while searching for mollusc-rich sandy patches. Their powerful pectoral fins and graceful undulating flight through the water column make them a highlight of any drift dive at Guraidhoo. As active foragers of buried bivalves and crustaceans they play an important role in bioturbating sandy habitats and recycling nutrients.
Best months across all sites
Jan
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Where to see it
- Bay of PigsJardines de la Reina, CubaYear-round→
- Bianca CBianca C Wreck, GrenadaYear-round→
- Five-Mile ReefSodwana Bay, South AfricaYear-round→
- Floors ReefGoat Island, New ZealandYear-round→
- Guraidhoo CornerSouth Male Atoll, MaldivesYear-round→
- Julian Rocks SouthByron Bay, AustraliaYear-round→
- Maamigili Beyru (Whale Shark Point)Ari Atoll, MaldivesYear-round→
- Muri MuriBora Bora, French PolynesiaYear-round→
- Shark BankMahé, SeychellesYear-round→
- The CathedralOsprey Reef, AustraliaYear-round→
- The ShelfGladden Spit, BelizeYear-round→
- Tiki PointMoorea, French PolynesiaYear-round→
- Valley of the RaysManta Ridge, Federated States of MicronesiaYear-round→
- Aride BankPraslin, SeychellesSeasonal→
- Banana Beach WallPríncipe Island, São Tomé and PríncipeSeasonal→
- Brissare RocksMahé, SeychellesSeasonal→
- Bunaken TimurBunaken, IndonesiaSeasonal→
- Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)Ari Atoll, MaldivesSeasonal→
- German ChannelBlue Corner, PalauSeasonal→
- HorseshoeCocos (Keeling) Islands, AustraliaSeasonal→
- HP ReefNorth Male Atoll, MaldivesSeasonal→
- Invisible BankHavelock Island, IndiaSeasonal→
- Johnny's GorgeHavelock Island, IndiaSeasonal→
- Kudarah ThilaAri Atoll, MaldivesSeasonal→
- Les Mamelles ReefSenegal, SenegalSeasonal→
- Lockheed L-1011 TriStar WreckAqaba, JordanSeasonal→
- Manta Cleaning StationGerman Channel, PalauSeasonal→
- Manta PointNusa Penida, IndonesiaSeasonal→
- Punta CahuitaCahuita, Costa RicaSeasonal→
- Superman's FlightAnse Chastanet, Saint LuciaSeasonal→
- Teavanui PassBora Bora, French PolynesiaSeasonal→
- The NurseryByron Bay, AustraliaSeasonal→
- Twin PeaksSiete Pecados, PhilippinesSeasonal→
- West ChannelAldabra Atoll, SeychellesSeasonal→
- Yellow Wall of TexasRinca Island, IndonesiaSeasonal→
- Admiralty Anchor (Osprey Reef)Great Barrier Reef, AustraliaRare→