We dive with 12 different species of rays
As of August 2017, Ocean Dimensions are now diving & snorkelling in the Unesco Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll at Kihaa Maldives – the closest resort to Hanifaru Bay. We hope to see you there!
If we don’t count the guitarfish which is half ray half shark we see 12 different species of rays during our dives here in the Laamu Atoll.
Let’s see: There is the reef manta ray which we see regularly at our manta cleaning station, were we also see the odd mobula manta. Rarely we see oceanic mantas but we have seen them along the outer reef and in the channel. A family of eagle rays life along our house reef that can be seen by snorkelers and divers. The ornate eagle ray we have encountered also during a channel dive. Electric rays we have spotted on several dive sites within the Atoll hiding under a ledge. Our favourite spot to encounter the pink whip ray is Gaddhoo Etere were usually 1 female is being courted by 6 or 7 males. Swimmers and snorkelers can come across the porcupine ray even within the Six Senses Laamu lagoon. On the sandy bottom along the outer reefs we are lucky to see mangrove rays, Jenkins whip rays, cowtail stingrays and blotched fantail rays. They all differ in colouring, spots, shapes, sizes. Most of them have a painful stinger at the base of their tail that should be avoided at all times! For the majority of rays their eyes are on the top and their mouth is below as they are feeding of crabs and crustaceans on the bottom of the sea floor. On your next dive with us we will identify together which type of ray you have seen.
