diving.voyage
Rays

Marine life profile

Rays

Recorded at 180 dive sites

Where divers encounter it

Explore Rays around the world

Stingrays are a group of rays, a type of cartilaginous fish. It appears to fly underwater, cruising over sand or reef before settling where camouflage makes it easy to miss.

Dive sites180
Countries52
Animal groupRays
Safety profileGenerally Harmless

Meet the species

What to look for

How to Recognize It

Look for a flattened body with wing-like fins, eyes on top and a long tail trailing behind.

How It Behaves

It appears to fly underwater, cruising over sand or reef before settling where camouflage makes it easy to miss.

Special Ability

Its broad fins turn slow-looking movements into remarkably efficient underwater flight.

Dive responsibly

Share the water well

How to Approach

Approach from the side, remain above the bottom and leave a clear path ahead. Never corner or follow closely.

Safety

Do not touch, stand on or crowd a resting ray. Give the tail room and shuffle carefully in shallow sandy water.

Worth knowing

The detail you remember

Interesting Facts

There are about 220 known stingray species organized into 29 genera.

Where to Find

Search sandy flats, cleaning stations, reef passes and current-swept channels, especially around feeding or cleaning time.

Known countries

United States of America (USA)MexicoPanamaCaribbean NetherlandsRepublic of MauritiusPhilippinesEgyptAustraliaIndiaSint MaartenSouth AfricaMozambiquePortugalIsraelUnited StatesSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesJapanBrazil