🌊 Gliding with Giants: Rays You Can Meet When Diving in Singapore
- Cuddlefish Divers
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
Discover the beauty beneath our own backyard.
Beneath the surface of Singapore’s waters lies a surprisingly rich ecosystem, home to elegant, mysterious, and utterly captivating rays.
Yes — right here in Singapore.
When you go diving with us at Cuddlefish Divers, you’re not just logging a quick weekend dive. You’re immersing yourself in a world of graceful gliders, sandy-bottom giants, and shy electric rays that call the Southern Islands home. These creatures are proof that Singapore’s marine life is alive and thriving — if you know where to look.
🐡 1. Blue-Spotted Fantail Ray (Taeniura lymma) — The Tropical Icon
This is the classic ray most local divers fall in love with first. With bright electric-blue spots that pop against a sandy yellow body, the Blue-Spotted Fantail Ray is a living piece of underwater art.
They love sandy seabeds and coral rubble, and if you approach slowly, they’ll often stay just long enough to let you marvel at their beauty before fluttering off with elegant, wing-like motions.
👉 Depth: 5–15m
👉 Fun fact: Their vivid blue patterns act as a natural warning to predators.
💬 “Fantails are like old friends here at Hantu. You can get to meet one on any calm morning dive.” — Cuddlefish Dive Instructor
🌿 2. Mangrove Whipray (Urogymnus granulatus) — The Gentle Giant
If the fantail is charming, the Mangrove Whipray is majestic. Broad, flat, and calm as a cloud, these rays can grow to over 1.5 metres across. They’re often seen resting quietly on silty seabeds or slowly gliding past like silent carpets of the sea.
👉 Depth: 6–18m
👉 Fun fact: Their long whip-like tails can stretch well beyond their body width.
💬 “They look intimidating at first, but Mangrove Whiprays are gentle and patient with calm divers. Hover nearby, and you’ll get the perfect photo moment.”
💙 3. Blue-Spotted Stingray (Neotrygon kuhlii) — The Agile Speedster
Sleeker than the fantail and known for its quick bursts of movement, this Blue-Spotted Stingray is a little ninja of the sand. Their round blue spots are crisp and clean, and they tend to dart away the moment you get too close. Spotting one takes patience, stillness, and good buoyancy.
👉 Depth: 5–18m
👉 Fun fact: Their circular spots help distinguish them from their fantail cousins.
💬 “If you can approach a stingray without spooking it, congratulations — you’ve truly mastered slow, mindful diving.”
🐆 4. Honeycomb Whipray (Himantura undulata) — The Patterned Showstopper
Every sighting of a Honeycomb Whipray feels special. With its intricate web-like patterns, this species looks like it was painted by an artist. Honeycomb rays are rarer than their blue-spotted cousins, and they prefer the deeper, sandy channels around Pulau Jong.
👉 Depth: 10–20m
👉 Fun fact: Each individual ray’s pattern is unique — like a fingerprint.
💬 “When a honeycomb appears, everyone stops what they’re doing. It’s that breathtaking.”
⚡ 5. Numbfish (Narcinidae family) — The Shocking Surprise
Numbfish are the underdogs of the ray world — small, round, and often buried in the sand. But don’t underestimate them. These little electric rays can deliver a mild electric shock if provoked (don’t worry, it’s not dangerous).
They’re often spotted by sharp-eyed divers who know to scan the sand carefully during slow, relaxed dives.
👉 Depth: 6–15m
👉 Fun fact: Their electric organs help them hunt and defend themselves.
💬 “We call them the ‘underwater pancakes.’ Blink and you’ll miss them.”
🦅 6. Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus ocellatus) — The Jet Fighter of the Sea
And then there’s the one that takes your breath away.
The Spotted Eagle Ray is a powerful, graceful pelagic species that sometimes visits Singapore’s outer islands. With its distinctive white spots and elegant wingbeats, it looks like it’s flying through the sea. When you see one — often in the blue near Pulau Jong or Satumu — time slows down.
👉 Depth: 10–20m
👉 Fun fact: Eagle rays can leap clear out of the water!
💬 “If you spot an eagle ray here, you’ve just had one of Singapore’s most magical underwater encounters.”
🌊 Why Rays Make Diving in Singapore Extraordinary
Most divers underestimate local waters. But those who take the plunge quickly learn: Singapore has its own brand of underwater magic.
Rays are one of the best-kept secrets of our reefs and sandy bottoms. Their presence tells us that our marine ecosystem is alive, despite the bustling city just over the horizon.
Here’s why diving with rays in Singapore is worth it:
🐠 Accessible marine life: No long flights, no waiting for “the season.” These rays are here year-round.
🌱 Biodiversity at your doorstep: Blue-spotted rays, honeycombs, whiprays, numbfish — all a short boat ride away.
💪 Skill building: Clear sightings often depend on calm, controlled diving — making every encounter a learning experience.
🏝️ Conservation impact: Supporting local diving means supporting marine conservation and sustainable tourism.
✨ When you choose to dive here, you’re not just exploring a site — you’re becoming part of the story of Singapore’s reefs.
📍 Best Dive Sites to Spot Rays in Singapore
Pulau Hantu — Blue-spotted fantail rays, Mangrove whiprays, numbfish
Pulau Jong — Eagle rays, honeycomb whiprays, blue-spotted stingrays
🐠 Dive with Cuddlefish Divers: Your Gateway to Rays of Singapore
At Cuddlefish Divers, we’ve spent years exploring these dive sites and learning where rays love to hide, rest, and glide. Whether you’re:
🐡 A new diver hoping to see your first ray,
📸 A photographer chasing the perfect shot, or
🌊 A seasoned diver rediscovering Singapore’s reefs…
We’ll take you to where the magic happens.
👉 Weekend local dives to Pulau Hantu, Jong, and St John's
👉 Small groups, experienced guides, and strong conservation ethics
👉 Free briefings & ID sessions on local marine life so you know what you’re looking at
📅 Upcoming Trips:
Saturday & Sunday weekly dive charters
Special weekday trips available on request
✨ Ready to Glide with the Rays?
Diving in Singapore isn’t just about convenience. It’s about discovering a thriving ecosystem that exists in our own backyard.
These rays aren’t tourist attractions shipped in from somewhere else — they’re residents of our reefs. When you meet them, you’re experiencing Singapore in a way few people ever do.
🎯 Book your next local dive with Cuddlefish Divers today
Comments