Marine life profile
Rays
Recorded at 180 dive sitesWhere 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.
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
Sightings map
Rays locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Hog Heaven
United States of America (USA)
The main feature of this dive site is a 185' barge which has been twisted up by storms over the years to create great swim throughs. Other items at this site include a smaller barge, concrete culverts and I beams from Interstate 595 construction, an airplane wing, and a radio tower called the "jungle gym". Lots of big creature sightings here including Goliath Grouper, Manta Rays, Turtles, Cobia, Nurse Sharks, etc.
Aquarium
Mexico
Intermediate site. 47 feet maximum depth. No decent line. Also know as Jardines or finger reef, this site is expansive with many routs through its riches of life. Mini canons (fingers) of coral where you can drop down out of the current and be surrounded by healthy reef, but good buoyancy control is key. Large schools of pork fish and grunts, eels, rays and sometimes turtles can be seen here.
Bouy Line
Panama
There is a beautiful sunken Trimaran next to a reef with healthy corals and sponges. You can see nurse sharks, rays, moray eels and the most varied reef fish.
Cliff
Caribbean Netherlands
Entry at second gate Hamlet Oasis. Easy rocky entrance and you will find a pipe on your right (navigation marker) running down the reef. The reef starts straight from the shore. Follow the reef to the South, after about 10 minutes the reef becomes a huge vertical wall covered with beautiful plate corals and whip corals. Lots of creatures hiding in and on the wall. if you continue following the wall at around 18-meter depth you will come across some big elephant ear sponges. Keep an eye out for jacks and tarpons in the deeper part. When good on air you can continue to the little wreck of "La Machaca" which you will found at around 15-meter depth 30 to 35 minutes into the dive. This makes a good return point, head back in the shallower parts where you will find an abundance of life. Once you find back the pipe, that's you exit point. Perfect for the advanced course, with skills such as deep, navigation, fish ID, etc. Great for a night dive.
Djabeda Wreck
Republic of Mauritius
One of the most spectacular dive sites in the North of the island. The Djabeda Wreck is a 44 metre long, 10-metre high Japanese fishing boat. It's become a beautiful artificial wreck with soft and hard corals, and areas of dislodged debris with loads of life. Schooling fish, barracudas, stone fish, lion fish, tuna and rays can be seen in the sand. We can swim off the Djabeda on to Confetti Bay at Coin De Mire island to finish off the dive. An ideal place to start your PADI Deep Diver Specialty or your PADI Wreck Specialty with us. Best enjoyed on Nitrox!
Drop Off
Philippines
Rising dramatically from the depths of 150 meters to kiss the surface, these twin pinnacles offer one of the most exhilarating dives in the Philippines. Only their coral-encrusted tips break the surface, hinting at the explosion of marine life that thrives below. What makes this site truly unforgettable is its crystal-clear visibility and the exhilarating drift when the currents pick up — and they can get powerful! On the southern side, you’ll descend along a breathtaking vertical wall that drops deep, while a plateau at around 10 meters features intricate ridges and fascinating rock formations. This is a dive where anything can appear. Cast your eyes into the blue for schooling tuna, jackfish, and the occasional cruising ray. Along the wall, you’ll be surrounded by clouds of orange anthias and butterflyfish, with every crevice home to critters like blennies, lionfish, pufferfish, moray eels, nudibranchs, and so much more. It's an underwater spectacle that never disappoints.
Gabr el Bint
Egypt
Gabr el Bint ranks among one of the most attractive sites of North Sinai. With the access by boat, 4x4 or by camel, it is less frequently dived than the other dive sites in Dahab which has left this site in pristine condition. Gabr el Bint means 'The Grave of the Girl' in Arabic. There are two dives possible here. The ledge is riddled with exquisite coral heads that attract numerous reef species, including swarms of anthias, scorpionfish, parrotfish, crocodilefish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, trumpetfish, stingrays and very often a turtle. At the end of the ledge usually is home to a shoal of black and white snappers and twinspot snappers hang here between 5m and 10m. One of the truly breathtaking dives in Dahab.
Gordon's Bay
Australia
Gordon's Bay is renowned for its accessibility and year-round appeal for divers and snorkelers. The calm conditions and a maximum depth of 14 meters make it a popular spot for all levels of divers. Gordon's Bay is famous for the underwater nature trail, a 600-meter path marked by a chain that guides you through the site. The trail leads to "The Wall," which is home to many Port Jackson sharks and Wobbegong sharks. Along the nature trail, divers also commonly encounter the famous Blue Groper, a local legend and a favorite among divers. Photos by Aquatic Imaging Australia.
Johnny's Gorge
India
Johnny's Gorge is a bed of low-lying rocky outcrops emerging from the bottom at 26metres / 85 feet. Surrounded by sand in every direction, these rocks have become an oasis of security and food for everything from small angelfish and anemonefish to spectacular schools of mackerels, barracudas, trevallies, bumphead parrotfish, surgeonfish, and snappers. And if this isn't enough, this world-class dive site is also home to reef sharks, giant groupers, large stingrays, and visiting manta and eagle rays. There is very rarely a quiet moment at Johnny's Gorge.
Mike's Maze
Sint Maarten
Part of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area. It starts at approximately 40 feet (12 m) and boasts healthy coral formations and numerous maze-like swim throughs, passageways wind around coral heads, through arches and over bridges. This location is where the Nature Foundation conducted one of its coral reef restoration projects. Common critters: Many of the 60 TWA fish species! French Angelfish, schooling Chubs, Spiny Lobster, & Foureye Butterflyfish, Elkhorn Coral formations, Special guests: Spotted Eagle Rays, Squid, Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Sexy Shrimp in anemones, staghorn coral formations
Nunn's beach is a swimming beach, with easy access via a board walk. This dive is parallel to the Breakwater Wall, 20 to 50m off the wall. Swim due East and from 4m onwards, signs of reef appear. looking around these reef systems, you may find Weedy Seadragons, Shaw's Box fish, Angel Sharks, Fiddler Rays, Reef fish, Nudibranchs, sponges, soft corals and false corals. The reef systems can be sparce or prolific, depending on how far off the Breakwater wall you are. Best dived on a Westerly or Southerly wind and low swell for the best visibility. This area can be dived all year round, take a dive float and flag, as this is open sea and boats move through the area.
Diving in Ras Mohamed is a top attraction for divers due to its stunning coral reefs and rich marine life. Key highlights include: Home to vibrant ecosystems with diverse hard and soft corals. Popular spots include Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, known for their beauty and marine life. Encounter species like clownfish, turtles, and even sharks. Clear waters often exceed 30 meters, ideal for underwater exploration. Suitable for all skill levels, with guided tours available. With its breath-taking underwater scenery, Ras Mohamed is a must-visit for diving enthusiasts.
Shallow Blinders
South Africa
A short swim from the shore in Plettenberg Bay lies a trio of pinnacles that is a photographer’s paradise! This large reef is home to many fish species and is a nursery in the summer months. Summer also brings the ragged-tooth sharks to this reef; however pajama sharks, leopard sharks and puffadder shy sharks are spotted all year round. Sightings of rays, cuttlefish and boxfish on the swim out are common and nudibranchs, octopus, sea spiders and scorpion fish inhabit the reef itself, making it ideal for macro photography.
Baix De Naix
Mozambique
45 Minute Boat Ride from Inhaca -normally done with two tanks per Diver on the Boat is an Underwater Reef system -similar to Aliwal or Two mile -called Baix de Naix. Observation of the prevailing current will determine the Anchor position or start point of the dive. This underwater paradise has everything to offer
Baixa do Max
Portugal
Diving on a wall reef between 15 and 33 meters, subject to currents, sometimes strong and with some undulation, only for experienced divers and not every day.
Baixinha
Portugal
Reef near Ilhéu da Cal, with depths between 7m and 30 meters, with some stone walls at the bottom, sometimes with some current. Visibility between 20 and 30 meters
Bat Galim בת גלים
Israel
In the public beach of Bat-Galim, a shallow dive (up to 10m) with opportunity to visit the wreck of Arlozerov immigrant ship (sank in 1947) to the north and the cement ship to the west.
Beach House
United States
Also known as “Brown House“. A vast north/south reef ranging between 50 feet to 63 feet. Medium to strong currents for an easy drift dive. Visibility can vary based on currents.
Benchmark
Mozambique
Spectacular reef, as it stands one of the best reefs in Morrungulo, many more still to be found of course. Straight offshore from Peri-Peri Dive Camp. It takes around 30mins to arrive, possible to find dolphins and hammerheadsharks on the way.
Bequia Head
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Long drive from the dive shop, this dive site is exposed to extremely strong currents and rough seas therefore only dived in perfect conditions and by expert divers only. Max depth 40m/120ft along steeply sloping reef, this is a drift dive with negative entry as no moorings and all divers must have their own SMB.
Black Magic
India
This dive site is located around the island of the only active volcano in India. The dive sites have lava rock formations that give it a very distinct look. From black sand to a purple haze, with live corals, this site is definitely world-class and is also very rarely visited.
Capybara
Japan
This dive site is characterized by its stunning drop-off and abundant coral formations on the shallow reef. As you descend along the drop-off, you’ll find a gently sloping rocky area with a depth of approximately 35 meters. The site is adorned with archways, tunnels, and crevasses, offering divers various exploration routes. It’s a haven for wanderlust divers. During the safety stop at a shallower depth, there’s a high likelihood of encountering multiple hawksbill turtles. The vibrant coral and the mesmerizing dance of small fish in the shallows add to the site’s beauty.
Círculo Militar do Paraná
Brazil
Where the depth revolves around 15 m, it is fantastic and already worth the visit. The rock formations form corridors, canyons, arches, caves and small caves.
Corralito
Mexico
Great dive site for large marine life, nudis, and everything in between. Light to moderate current with max depth 18m/ 60 feet and water temp in the high 21-26 Grad/ 70s/low 80s. Also a good spot for a night dive.