The Species of Ray I’ve Met
A personal look at the rays I’ve been fortunate to encounter — moments of quiet discovery that continue to shape how I see the ocean, its movement, and the silent intelligence that connects all life beneath the waves.
Memorable encounters, favorite species, and the stories that stay with me
Unlike sharks, I never set out with a list of rays I hoped to meet. Every encounter came as a surprise — a sudden ripple of motion, a shadow rising from sand, or a silhouette passing through light. They appeared without announcement, yet left something behind — a calm, unspoken kind of wonder. Each encounter taught me something I didn’t expect to learn: that stillness is also power, and that the ocean often reveals its grace in silence, not spectacle. These are some of my favorite rays — the ones that surfaced in the frame and stayed in memory.
Some glide away. Some stay with you.
Eight Favorite Rays from My Encounters
Years ago, I began noticing that no two rays moved alike. Some looped effortlessly through blue water; others hugged the sand, leaving traces of light behind them. Each encounter — brief or lingering — carried its own rhythm and presence.
These are the species that have shaped the way I see the ocean’s quieter side. Each one carries a story about motion, balance, and the beauty of simply being.
Oceanic Manta Ray
Genus, specific epithet: Mobula birostris
Where I’ve seen them: Mexican Riviera, Indonesia
The largest of all rays, sweeping through the water like a slow eclipse — proof that size and serenity can coexist.
Bat Ray
Genus, specific epithet: Myliobatis californica
Where I’ve seen them: Southern California (U.S.)
Calm and curious, bat rays move through colder seas with quiet assurance — a reminder that grace doesn’t belong only to the tropics.
Reef Manta Ray
Genus, specific epithet: Mobula alfredi
Where I’ve seen them: Indonesia, Maldives, Philippines
Their looping circles and quiet choreography feel almost meditative — a living rhythm of patience and trust.
Blue-spotted Stingray
Genus, specific epithet: Taeniura lymma
Where I’ve seen them: Costa Rica, Pacific Ocean
Small but radiant, they carry sunlight on their skin — flashes of electric blue trailing through golden sand.
Mobula Ray
Genus, specific epithet: Mobula mobular
Where I’ve seen them: Sea of Cortez (Mexico), Indonesia, Maldives
I once surfaced into a sky full of wings — hundreds breaching at once, as if the ocean decided to take flight.
Yellow-spotted Stingray
Genus, specific epithet: Urobatis jamaicensis
Where I’ve seen them: Florida (U.S.), Caribbean, Mexican Riviera
A gentle, grounded species — more often felt than seen — like a heartbeat beneath the surface.
Spotted Eagle Ray
Genus, specific epithet: Aetobatus narinari
Where I’ve seen them: Mexican Riviera, Belize, Sea of Cortez (Mexico), Palau, Indonesia
My favorite ray: Grace in geometry — a mosaic of spots against blue, gliding between light and shadow like thoughts in motion.
Shovelnose Guitarfish
Genus, specific epithet: Rhinobatos productus
Where I’ve seen them: Southern California (U.S.)
Part ray, part shark in silhouette — a living bridge between worlds, carving soft furrows in the sand as it goes.
What These Encounters Have Taught Me
I never went looking for lessons, but the rays kept offering them. They taught me that curiosity can be quiet, that grace doesn’t ask to be noticed, and that not all beauty reveals itself through power. Each encounter reminded me to look slower, to listen more, and to let the ocean set its own rhythm.
Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones that glide past when you least expect them.
Explore Further
These are just a few of the rays I’ve had the privilege to meet. To discover more about their role in marine ecosystems — and the science working to protect them — visit Ray Conservation & Science →