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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. They stay closer to the shore and cities, which loses the magic.
- 5-day Expedition: Land-based trip, you go out every day. 2 days are travel days, while 3 days are spent on the water during the time the best time to have the best interactions. Some of the 5-day trips are citizen science trips where you get to work next to a marine biologist in the afternoon because the rays are more active in the morning right after sunrise and the hours leading up to sunset.
- 8-day Expedition: Land-based trip, 2 travel days, and 5 days are spent with the Mobula Rays. The boat comes back every night and everyone sleeps on land and is out on the boat every day.
Book Your Trip with Dive Ninjas Here
Where Do You Stay Each Night?
Jay wouldn’t tell where you spend the night each night, but you are in Baja California and all of the transportation and accommodations are taken care of each night. The rays are in secret areas where the best action occurs, but these areas are not divulged. You do fly into Cabo, but they build custom expeditions where you stay in small local communities on your expedition so you can be near the boat each morning.
How Can You Be a Marine Biologist for a Day on a Citizen Science Expedition?
Citizen Science expeditions for the Mobula rays are run with Mobula ray researchers and they are focused on finding nursery areas of the Mobula rays, find more population data and understand more about their environment. There is very little research done on the devil rays (Mobula rays) and they are trying to build a better understanding of the nurseries and rays so they can protect them.
Are Mobula Rays (Devil Rays, Flying Rays) Dangerous?
They are more closely related to manta rays and they do not have stingers on them. They are completely harmless.
How Do You Book a Trip to See the Flying Rays in Baja Mexico?
These expeditions should be booked far advance because they sell out quickly. Only 6 people go on each expedition to keep it intimate and give the best experience. You can book the trip through Dive Ninja Expeditions, usually a year in advance. Check out the current Mobula ray expeditions available.
How Much Does It Cost to Swim with the Migrating Flying Rays/Mobula Rays on an expedition?
The 5-day citizen science expedition with Dive Ninjas costs about $1900 + tip, while the 8-day expedition costs around $3,900 + tip. The average tip for these expeditions is about 15% of the trip cost. The cost includes everything except for dinner and flights.
Accessible Travel: What if you have limited mobility but are a great swimmer. Can You Swim with the Mobula rays?
It should be fine. We recommend speaking with the Dive Ninja Team to find out more information around accessibility options.
What Certifications are needed to swim with the flying rays?
There are no certifications required, but Jay recommends taking a freediving course before the trip, which can be taken through Dive Ninjas a few days before the trip. It helps to be comfortable freediving so you can have an optimal experience. Also, you should be comfortable swimming in the open ocean.
How old do you have to be to go on a Mobula ray expedition?
It would depend on the child. They need to be strong swimmers and very comfortable in the ocean. The days can get long on the boat and this trip is not appropriate for young children. Jay recommends for the child/children to be at least 10-12 years old to get the most out of the trip.
What Type of Gear Do You Need to Bring to Swim with the Flying Rays?
- Masks
- Fins
- Snorkel
- 3 mm wetsuit
These can be rented from Dive Ninjas if you don’t have a mask, fins, snorkel, and/or a wetsuit.
Underwater Videography and Photography Tips to Capture the Flying Rays (Mobula Rays)
- Shoot as wide as possible and use your wide-angle lens.
- Use a 15 mm fish-eye on an SLR
- Have a long lens for the surface to capture the flying rays jumping.
- Don’t use a red filter when you’re close to the surface.
Tips on How to Get Close to the Mobula Rays Underwater
- They can scare easily, so when you get in the water, slip in instead of jumping in. Refrain from splashing.
- Make sure you keep your fins underwater while you’re kicking. Turn on your side and kick sideways to help minimize splashing.
- Relax and give the school time to get accustomed to the freedivers to allow for a better interaction. The rays need to understand that you are not a predator.
What other animals/fish might you see in the Sea of Cortez?
- Fin whales
- Gray Whales
- Blue Whales
- Turtles
- Hammerheads
- Sailfish
- Schools of Tuna
- Manta Rays
- Giant Devil Rays
Don’t forget to check out this expedition on Dive Ninja Expeditions, the 2020 expedition dates just released! Check out their mailing list to get early info for these trips.
Related Episode: Dive Socorro