Ray
Sicklefin devil ray
Mobula tarapacana
IUCN status: EndangeredBucket-list species
The largest of the devil rays and the signature animal of the Azores seamounts. Each summer they gather in schools at banks like Princess Alice and Baixa do Ambrósio, circling divers in slow carousels. Also called the Chilean or sicklefin devil ray.
- Max size
- Up to ~3.7m disc width
- Habitat
- Open ocean and seamounts; aggregates at Atlantic banks in summer to feed and socialise
Best places to dive with Sicklefin devil ray
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Azores
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | not seen |
| February | not seen |
| March | not seen |
| April | not seen |
| May | rare |
| June | peak season |
| July | peak season |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | peak season |
| November | rare |
| December | not seen |
Reliable in a normal summer at Princess Alice Bank and Baixa do Ambrósio, but sightings depend on making it out to the banks — weather cancels many trips. Absent outside the summer season.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Sharks, whales and rays — diving and snorkeling in the Azores, ZuBlu
- Sicklefin devil rays gathering off the Azores, Discover Wildlife / BBC Wildlife
Note on the data: Distinct from the bentfin devil ray (Mobula thurstoni); the Azores aggregations are specifically Mobula tarapacana.