Stingrays of the Lagoon

The Indian River Lagoon is home to several species of rays, with the Southern Stingray and the Atlantic Stingray being the most common. These fascinating cartilaginous fish—close relatives of sharks—are perfectly adapted to life in the shallow, sandy bottoms of the estuary.

Rays are incredibly graceful swimmers, using their large pectoral fins to "fly" through the water. They are often spotted by our guests gliding just beneath the surface or resting partially buried in the sand.

Stingray Facts

• •Stingrays do not have bones; their skeletons are made entirely of cartilage.
• •Their eyes are on top of their bodies, but their mouths and gills are underneath.
• •They use sensors called ampullae of Lorenzini to detect the electrical signals of hidden prey.
• •They often bury themselves in the sand to hide from predators and ambush prey.
• •Their stinger is a defensive weapon only used when they feel directly threatened.

Rays prefer the shallow, sandy, and muddy bottoms of the lagoon where they hunt for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. They are frequently seen in water only a few feet deep.

From the elevated deck of our catamaran, guests often have excellent visibility down into the water. Look for large, dark, diamond or circular shapes gliding smoothly over the bottom. Sometimes you'll even see them leap out of the water!

Are stingrays dangerous?

What is the 'Stingray Shuffle'?

Why do stingrays jump out of the water?

How big do they get?