Andaman Sea Rays in Myanmar

Guide to the Rays of the Andaman Sea: From Seafloor Dwellers to Pelagic Giants

Rays spend their time in different ways across our waters—some spend most of their time lying on the sea floor, such as stingrays, while pelagic rays swim mid-water from the depths all the way to the surface, travelling long distances like eagle rays and manta rays!

Just like sharks, rays have no bones, instead possessing a skeleton made up entirely of cartilage. Large pectoral fins linked to their body and head give rays a range of shapes—from round to triangular and sometimes even diamond shapes—that help us identify each species. They use these fins like a bird flapping its wings, flying through the water with calm, hypnotising movements.

Although they all have flattened, plate-like bodies, they each have unique traits that characterise them. Sometimes nicknamed “sea flap-flaps”, rays are never aggressive to divers. They are shy creatures, usually avoiding confrontation and preferring a “running away” strategy.

FAQ – Rays of the Andaman Sea

What kinds of stingrays live on the Andaman Sea seafloor?
What pelagic rays can divers encounter in Thailand and Myanmar?
Where is the best place to see giant oceanic manta rays in the Mergui Archipelago?
Are guitarfish rays or sharks?

Andaman Sea Rays Found on the Seafloor

Stingrays

Often hiding under the sand, blue-spotted stingrays are usually spotted darting away from divers who get a little too close to their resting spots…

Blue-spotted stingray (Kuhl ray) resting in the Andaman Sea — Kuhl’s stingray or blue-spotted stingray (*Neotrygon kuhlii*) can be found lying on the bottom. It is a small species reaching up to 50cm in diameter; it lives near shallow areas but can descend to greater depths of up to 90m.

Eye of a ray hidden under the sand in Burma — When Kuhl’s stingray hides in the sand, sometimes only its eye is visible!

Every diver has a favourite when it comes to marine life, whether you want to be dwarfed by massive whales, or dazzled by the camouflage and colours of cephalopods.

Each individual has creatures that float their boat more than others, but one of the more common fascinations amongst divers is with rays. In the earth’s waters, approximately 630 species of rays and skates exist in all shapes and sizes.

The Mergui Archipelago is a paradise rich in biodiversity that proudly puts a variety of spectacular marine species on parade, and blotched stingrays are some of the most popular in the Andaman Sea.

Large blotched fantail stingray in the Andaman Sea — The blotched fantail stingray (*Taeniura meyeni*) can often be seen resting on the sea bed. These rays are nocturnal and can be spotted actively hunting at night.

Blotched stingray Andaman Sea ray species — Blotched stingray

Blotched stignray or marble ray — Blotched stingrays can be found at any diveable depth, either alone or in small groups. Not shy at all, these Andaman Sea rays can get huge—ranging from 50cm to 200cm across!

The Jenkins whipray (Himantura jenkinsii) is another species frequently found lying on sandy seafloors. They can be found alone or in small groups at similar depth ranges to marbled rays, growing up to 150cm wide.

Stingray resting on the seafloor of a Myanmar dive site — The Jenkins whipray (*Himantura jenkinsii*)

Stingray gliding over the reef in the Andaman Sea

Porcupine stingray in the Mergui Archipelago — A lot less common is the porcupine stingray (*Urogymnus asperrimus*). A rather solitary species, it lives at depths around 30m on sandy, coral, and seagrass bottoms, reaching round shapes up to 150cm in diameter. Unlike other Andaman Sea stingrays, porcupine rays lack a venomous stinging spine, but you should still keep your hands away from their thorny, textured backs!

Pelagic Rays in the Andaman Sea

Eagle Ray

While primarily a pelagic ray, surprisingly, in Myanmar, we have a resident eagle ray living in one of our secret caves! She passes by quite close when divers enter her home, and we find her in the same cave week after week. This makes for some fantastic photo opportunities, allowing us to capture close-up portraits of this lovely eagle ray.

Eagle ray swimming in the Andaman Sea — With a wingspan reaching up to 240cm, eagle rays live anywhere between the surface and 110m deep.

Eagle ray teeth used to crush hard-shelled prey — Eagle rays have plate-like teeth used to crush hard-shelled prey, including clams, oysters, sea urchins, and shrimp.

Oceanic Manta Rays

Giant oceanic manta ray hovering over the reef — The giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) is the largest type of ray in the world and can travel across vast ocean basins. It can grow up to 7m across, weigh up to 1,350kg, and live for up to 50 years! They are significantly larger than the smaller “reef mantas” frequently encountered in places like the Maldives and Indonesia.

Close-up of a giant oceanic manta ray — As filter feeders, they consume large quantities of zooplankton.

Snorkelling near a giant oceanic manta ray — They can be seen easily from the surface as they spend daytime hours within the 0 to 30m depth range. They are usually not shy and frequently hang around cleaning stations and feeding sites.

Moving in groups ranging from small numbers up to 50 individuals, they can be quite playful with one another. Breaching the surface to dislodge parasites is also a common sight.

Group of oceanic manta rays during mating season

Oceanic manta ray showing old shark bite scars — Apart from humans—their most formidable threat—mantas can occasionally be attacked by large sharks, leaving behind distinct bite marks.

Manta ray viewed from above at Black Rock dive site in Myanmar — “Black Rock” in the Mergui Archipelago is a famous dive site where we have spotted up to 50 mantas at once. It has been noted by leading marine researchers that Black Rock may serve as a major mating station where large numbers of oceanic mantas congregate.

Guitar Rays

The Andaman Sea also hosts several species of guitarfish. For a closer look at these unique animals, read our dedicated guide on guitarfish, guitar rays, and guitar sharks present throughout the Mergui Archipelago.

Shovelnose guitarfish or guitar shark in Andaman Sea, Myanmar

Guitarfish photographed in the Andaman Sea, Myanmar

Explore More of the Andaman Sea

Andaman Sea marine fauna – discover the incredible species, sharks, and rays inhabiting these waters.
Mergui Archipelago – explore the remote islands and pristine dive sites of Myanmar.
Giant oceanic manta rays – learn more about these gentle giants.
Cruises, schedules & itineraries – plan your next liveaboard dive expedition with us.