MOBULA RAYS AGGREGATION - BAJA CALIFORNIA MEXICO
MOREImagine to swim above thousands small Munk’s Pigmy Devil rays (mobula munkiana) gliding slowly in warm water. You cannot see nor the beginning nor the end of the massive squadrons moving along the south-west region of Gulf of California : an endless flow of rays dancing in mid water.
They are unique, unbelievably graceful : mouths spread open while looping for food, full of energy when they speed towards the motionless surface one upon the other, doing aerial twirls and ending to splash down with slaps and loud noises.
Little is known about these acrobatic and hypnotic small elasmobranchs, except they have strong aggregative behaviour, low fecundity and delayed reproduction. Few studies revealed that in the Sea of Cortes there are nursery areas and that juveniles spend half first year inside those areas, which offers protection and abundant food resources during the early life stages. Nobody knows why Munk’s Devil rays launch themselves into the air and spin at once out of the water, before slapping back onto the surface, which has given the nickname of “popcorn rays”. It might be for getting rid of parasites, or in the process of courtship and reproduction, communication or other needs. It is still a fascinating mystery.
In Spring, waters of the southern-west coasts become the scene of unbelievable natural events : mobula munkiana teem with the larger aggregations of the year. We will be there to experience the feeling of snorkelling, swimming and freediving among giant schools of rays, as if they were squadrons of birds flapping long wings underwater.
The group size is limited to max 5 participants plus the guides.
Classic tour 2025
04 – 11 May
four spaces
Combo tour 2025
30 April – 11 May
four spaces
Isla Cerralvo
ins and outs
Your journey
We will snorkel, free-dive and take underwater pictures, record videos. Above-water pictures will be funny and interesting, when mobulas breach the water surface and splash down with myriads of drops lightened by the sun rays.
We operate with the more experienced captains and fishermen of the area, keen in dropping people just in the right position to reach the mobulas’ swimming and helping everybody in going back to the boat.
In details
Classic tour. 6 days, 6 nights :
* 5 full days at sea, from morning to evening, depending on the actions and our souls ;
* 6 nights’ accommodation in private villa, double room with private bathroom
* board basis : group meals full board, except drinks ;
* private use of the lancha (with covering, no bathroom) .
The group size is limited to max 5 participants plus the guides.
Combo tour : please send an email to enquiry
Is this trip right for you ?
You need to be an active mate, patient and resolute.
Be conscious that might be days without good conditions to take pictures, since mobula munkiana feed on plankton, hence underwater visibility might be lesser than expected.
This trip is perfect for people who are not addicted on schedules, as the programme might change without prior warning in order to grasp the better opportunities : ie going out to sea in late afternoon if top predators (like orcas, tunas, etc) have been sighted.