Where to dive with eagle rays

What they are

Spotted eagle rays have a dramatic spotted pattern on the back, a duckbill-shaped snout and a long, whip-like tail that can reach 2.5 to 3 times the width of the disc. The tail carries venomous spines used in defence. They feed on clams, oysters, shrimp, octopus, squid, sea urchins and bony fish.¹

Sources differ on maximum size: the Florida Museum gives a disc width of 3 m and a weight of 230 kg, while FishBase and the Bimini Biological Field Station give 230 cm disc width for the Atlantic species. FishBase says the Indo-West Pacific species can exceed 3 m.^1,2,3,4

Where and when divers see them

The whitespotted eagle ray lives in tropical to warm temperate Atlantic waters, over the continental shelf in lagoons, estuaries, coral reefs and open water, commonly to at least 60 m. The ocellated eagle ray ranges from East Africa and the Red Sea to Hawaii and French Polynesia, in coastal waters from 1 to 100 m, usually 20 to 25 m.^2,3,4

In open water they often form large schools close to the surface, and they can leap clear of the water when pursued.¹

Conservation status

On the IUCN Red List, the whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) was assessed as Endangered in July 2020, and the ocellated eagle ray (Aetobatus ocellatus) as Endangered in July 2023. The Bimini Biological Field Station notes that the species is also at risk from the aquarium trade.^2,3,4

How to behave around them

Spotted eagle rays are generally shy and wary of divers, and hard to approach. The Florida Museum notes that they are considered potentially dangerous to humans because their venomous tail spines can inflict serious wounds. No eagle-ray-specific code was found; Lady Elliot Island's (Great Barrier Reef) general marine encounter guidelines give these rules.^1,5

• Lady Elliot Island guidelines: approach marine life only from the side, leaving a clear path ahead.⁵
• Lady Elliot Island guidelines: do not chase, corner or disturb animals, or make them change direction.⁵
• Lady Elliot Island guidelines: do not touch or hold on to marine life.⁵
• Lady Elliot Island guidelines: keep your distance when taking photos.⁵