What Divers Should Know About Mobula Ray

Mobula rays, often referred to as "devil rays" or "flying rays," are a captivating genus found across tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide. These pelagic animals display a significant size range, with species typically reaching widths of 1.1 to 5.2 meters (3.6 to 17.1 feet). While their larger manta ray relatives are better known, various Mobula species are frequently encountered by divers in open water environments.

One of their most iconic behaviors, often observed from the surface, is their spectacular breaching. Mobula rays commonly gather in groups and can launch themselves out of the water, sometimes reaching heights of up to 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) before re-entering with a splash. For those fortunate enough to observe them underwater, these rays are often seen moving gracefully in groups. An interesting fact for divers is that most Mobula species either entirely lack a tail stinger or possess one that is safely encased, with only the Mobula mobular having a "free" stinger.