Swim with Migrating Flying Rays (Mobula Rays) in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes

Listen above to this podcast episode about swimming with the migrating flying rays (Mobula rays). Mobula Rays are many times known as devil rays, flying rays, or devil fish. I interviewed Jay Clue from Dive Ninjas about this amazing one-of-a-kind bucket list experience to witness thousands of Mobula rays underwater.

Mobula Rays in Baja California Sur, Mexico Photo by Jay Clue

The Experience: Swimming with Flying Rays (Mobula Rays)

In Baja California (Baja Mexico) there is a large aggregation of flying rays twice a year. It is mind-blowing as they come together to mate and feed every year in Baja. It’s one of those things you could do every day and it would never get old.

Fly into Cabo and you will wake up in the morning to see the sunrise rising over the ocean. You’ll leave your hotel and get on the boat with a small group of people and head out into the Sea of Cortez. As the boat cruises, you’ll finally know you’re in the right spot when you start to hear ‘pop pop pop’ which is the sound of the Mobula rays flying out of the water and landing.

Mobula Rays in Baja California Sur, Mexico Photo by Jay Clue

These flying rays are very acrobatic, and they jump up to 3 meters out of the water. They are great at getting out of the water but aren’t very graceful getting back into the water. You’ll start to see them jump out of the water. For every Mobula ray that jumps, there are probably a few hundred Mobula rays (flying rays) underwater.

The boat will follow the school on the surface for a while. Once the guides feel it is ok, then everyone puts on snorkeling gear and then slips into the water to witness this incredible experience. Many people only expect to see 20-30 rays in the water, but many times the first time people witness this migration, they end up seeing schools of thousands of Mobula rays.

Mobula Rays in Baja California Sur, Mexico Photo by Jay Clue

Once the rays were comfortable with the freedivers, they would freedive down next to the school and stay with the school for 3-4 hours. On one particular day, Jay dove 50 meters deep and found himself still in the school; these schools of rays are absolutely massive.

What Is It Like to Swim with Flying Rays (Mobula Rays)?

It’s like flying with a gigantic flock of birds, but underwater. The Mobula rays are about 3 feet (1 meter) wide and they swim in unison like they are soaring underwater. It is a completely awe-inspiring experience.

Photo by Jay Clue

Why Should You Experience These Schools of Mobula Rays

It’s the largest aggregation of a species on the planet. It only happens in special times of the year and is a very rare and incredible experience. It’s wild in the sense that this is something you would see on National Geographic or on BBC. You become a part of the school when you swim with it.

When Does the Mobula Ray (Flying Ray) Aggregation Happen?

There are 2 times of year to see these incredible schools of flying rays.

* Mid to late November through January is a smaller migration of rays off of Baja Mexico. Schools are 50-100, maybe a couple hundred.

* Mid to late April through early July is the best time to see them as there are giant schools of Mobula rays, with schools containing thousands of rays.

Drone footage of schooling mobula rays off the coast of Baja California with Dive Ninja Expeditions

What Are the Different Ways to see the Giant Schools of Mobula Rays

* Day Trip: There are some companies that offer day trips to see the giant schools of Mobula/Devil/Flying Rays. These trips are limited in their offering because you don’t have enough time to truly experience the rays.