Gliding just beneath the surface of Florida’s coastal waters is a creature so graceful it seems to fly underwater. With wing-like fins and white spots that shimmer against deep indigo skin, the spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) looks like it was painted by moonlight.
I’ve watched them before—near the edge of a sandbar or drifting through an estuary, silent and effortless. If dolphins are the acrobats of the sea, eagle rays are the ballerinas.
What Is a Spotted Eagle Ray?
The spotted eagle ray is a large species of ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic waters off Florida’s coast. Recognizable by its distinct white spots and angular snout, it can grow up to 10 feet wide, with a tail trailing behind like a ribbon—sometimes longer than its body.
Unlike stingrays, which often bury themselves in the sand, eagle rays swim freely in the water column, often in small groups. They’re considered “pelagic,” meaning they spend most of their time off the bottom, soaring through open waters like birds in flight.
What Do They Eat?
Their favorite meal? Shellfish.
Using powerful jaws, the spotted eagle ray crushes through the hard shells of clams, oysters, and crabs, leaving behind broken bits on the seafloor. They often forage around reefs or sandy flats, digging in with their snouts like curious pigs at the buffet of the sea.
Are They Dangerous?
Despite their long, venomous tail spines, spotted eagle rays are shy and non-aggressive. Those barbs are used only for defense, and encounters with humans are extremely rare.
In fact, their biggest threat isn’t us—it’s overfishing and habitat destruction. Spotted eagle rays are classified as “near threatened” due to accidental bycatch and the loss of important feeding and breeding grounds.
Folklore and Fascination
Some Caribbean legends speak of sea spirits with spotted wings that guide sailors to safe passage. In parts of Polynesia, rays are believed to carry the souls of ancestors. It’s no surprise—watching one glide beneath the water’s surface feels almost otherworldly.
Where to See One in Florida
If you’re lucky, you might spot a spotted eagle ray while:
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Paddling in the shallows of Tampa Bay
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Snorkeling over seagrass beds
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Walking along sandbars after the tide rolls out
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Visiting an aquarium, like The Florida Aquarium or Mote Marine Lab
Inspiration for the Page
The spotted eagle ray reminds me why I write about the sea. The ocean is always more than a setting—it’s a keeper of unexpected beauty.
The next time you look out over the water, watch for a shimmer, a flicker of white on blue. It might be a wave. Or it might be a quiet miracle passing by.