Snorkelers following spotted eagle rays witness incredible sight

Snorkeling in the Galapagos islands is a wonderful experience. The animal life is spectacular and the sights are breath taking. These swimmers were enjoying the water off the shore of Espanola Island, a remote and beautiful place where tourists are not allowed without a naturalist guide and proper permits. They were following a group of eight spotted eagle rays that were thirty feet below, swimming slowly over the sand, possibly hunting for food in the sand. The larger adults were in the company of a few smaller eagle rays. It is rare to see so many together and equally rare to see baby spotted eagle rays.

As the swimmers and their guide, Ariana were following the group, they saw something incredible headed directly toward the eagle rays. A school of over one hundred golden cownose rays formed a line across the ocean floor. They met the eagle rays and continued slowly over them. The eagle rays circled back and joined the group.

As the snorkelers filmed from above, they took turns diving as deep as they could go. Kristy was able to hold her breath and reach the bottom, thirty feet down, to film the massive school of rays from close up.