Ray
Sicklefin devil ray
Mobula tarapacana
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
| 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
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- 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.