Skate Fish

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

With more than 17 genera and over 150 species, skate (fish) are the largest suborder of cartilaginous fish within the family Rays and Skates. Unlike other rays, which are ovoviparous and live-bearing, they lay rectangular eggs popularly called “mermaid’s purses.“ They resemble other species of rays with their flat body shape, flat pectoral fins that extend the length of their bodies, and mouths located on the underside of their bodies. They are benthic feeders that spend most of their time camouflaged on the sea floor and can be distinguished from other rays by their round to diamond-shaped shape, their pointed “noses,“ and two dorsal fins on their tails.

Divesites
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© Alamy-Nature Photographers Ltd

With an abundant population and wide distribution, they are commonly sighted amongst scuba divers. In fact, skates can be found in most parts of the world from the warm tropical waters circling the equator to near-Arctic waters of the northern hemisphere, and live in both shallow and extremely deep areas of the ocean. Want to go diving with skates? Explore the map below for the most popular dive sites where they have been encountered.

Dive Sites with This Animal

DivePoint Hudhuran Fushi, 20193 Male
West Rock (Wreck) (★4.4)

West Rock (Wreck) (★4.4)

West Rock is home to a small wreck that is easy to dive, which lies upright in a small bay at a depth of about 26m. Parts of the hold can be explored. The superstructure and the mast come down to 10m.
PT. BAHARI INTAN ABADI, 80224 Denpasar Selatan
USAT Liberty Wreck (★4.7)

USAT Liberty Wreck (★4.7)

This is the only historical shipwreck in Bali, ranked #3 in the world for Wreck diving! The wreck is 25 meters form shore at a depth of 4 to 29 meters below the surface with most of it occuring in a shallow area. This dive site does not have strong currents, has clear water, and warm temperatures. Difficult entry!
Stollis Centro de Buceo, 17212 Tamariu / Girona
Badia de Tamariu (★4.2)

Badia de Tamariu (★4.2)

The boat jetty and the entrance to this house reef are only 30 m from the base. The most beautiful part of the bay is reserved for divers and swimmers and secured by a buoy line. This beautiful house reef offers something for everyone down to a maximum depth of 15 m.
Ducks Diving Superior, Marsa Alam
Marsa Gabal el Rosas (Ducks center) (★4.5)

Marsa Gabal el Rosas (Ducks center) (★4.5)

Narrow entrance with a sandy bottom. Nice coral. A good dive site to make drift dives from the zodiac on the North Anemone City. Good for experienced and beginner divers.
Oceanos Expediciones Y Buceo, 44110 Guadalajara
Los Arcos National Park (★4.1)

Los Arcos National Park (★4.1)

Los Arcos National Park is one of the most popular places to dive in Puerto Vallarta. Nestled in a cluster of granite islands in the southern part of Banderas Bay, this dynamic underwater world is full of places to explore like El Bajo and Devil’s Canyon. There’s lots of marine life to explore as well.
Manfred S. (#68310)
Kalawy House Reef, South (★4.4)

Kalawy House Reef, South (★4.4)

A beautiful house reef sitting just off-shore from the Magic Life resort. Easily accessible from the beach or the jetty with calm conditions and very clear water.
OCTOPUS DIVE, 11615-600 SÃO SEBASTIÃO
Ilha Montão de Trigo (★4.5)

Ilha Montão de Trigo (★4.5)

The island of Montão de Trigo, sometimes called Ilha Monte de Trigo, is an island in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is located between the Bertioga bay and São Sebastião channel, approximately 10 km from the mainland. The island has a conical shape that resembles, as the name implies, a pile of wheat.
SUB SAOS - SAMOTHRAKI DIVING CENTER, 68002 SAMOTHRAKI
Kipos Slope (★4.9)

Kipos Slope (★4.9)

This deep shore dive in Samothraki begins with a gradual descent before turning into a steep sandy slope. A rapid depth transition beyond 10m suits certified deep and technical divers. It offers extended bottom time potential and is suitable for decompression dives, with a vast abyssal landscape at depth.
CNM DIVE, 13211-698 JUNDIAI
Trinta Reis (★4.6)

Trinta Reis (★4.6)

This small island, which provides dives at a depth of 22 meters, is located in the Outside area, in front of Abreus Cove. Its main highlight is the passage through a canyon formed by two rocky walls.
PLONGEQUILIBRE, 75008 PARIS
Marsa Shagra House Reef (★4.4)

Marsa Shagra House Reef (★4.4)

Marsa Shagara is a bay with an easy sand bottom entrance that leads to South or North reef dives. The depth starts at 1m and drops to 40m + outside the bay. It is one of the most pristine house reef dives in the south. This dive is great for entry level and experienced divers.
Blue Bottom Diving, 38660 Adeje
El Puertito (★4.1)

El Puertito (★4.1)

El Puertito is a bay protected from currents, with lots of aquatic life, the perfect place to make your first dive in Tenerife and training dives for all levels.
iStock-MaRabelo
Shark & Yolanda Reef (★4.6)

Shark & Yolanda Reef (★4.6)

The most famous site in Ras Mohammed. There are many ways to dive the site so there is something for everyone here. Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, and Satellite Reef make up the 3 pinnacles. On Yolanda Reef you can find toilets and a mast laying around from the sunken Yolanda wreck.
Madeline A. (#3070231)
Catalina Aquarium (★4.4)

Catalina Aquarium (★4.4)

An enjoyable, easy, shallow dive with lots of stingrays, lobsters, and reef life. Usually the second dive for dive charters due to its shallow depth. A great snorkel as well.
PT. BAHARI INTAN ABADI, 80224 Denpasar Selatan
Manta Point, Sekar Kuning (★4.6)

Manta Point, Sekar Kuning (★4.6)

Located in the south of Nusa Penida Island and facing the Indian Ocean, Manta Point can often have big waves. This dive site has large rock mounds which are often visited by manta rays for self cleaning, giving this site it’s name.
Stefan W. (#4062960)
Viva Shallow (★4.2)

Viva Shallow (★4.2)

Viva Shallow is approximately 9 m. deep and is one of the most beautiful diving spots for beginners, certified divers and photographers. Great reef with plenty of marine life.
Punta Amanay SL, 35660 Fuerteventura, Corralejo
Bocayna (★4.5)

Bocayna (★4.5)

La Bocayna stands out among many dive sites on the north side of Lobos for its variety of seascape and routes. We anchor where the platform falls from 15m towards a sandy area at a right angle to approximately 22m.
Orca DiveClub Moreen Beach, Marsa Alam
Abu Dabour (★4.5)

Abu Dabour (★4.5)

The nearby jetty can be used to enter this dive or you can enter from the shore through a very nice small canyon leading you to the clear blue water. This dive starts with a sloping sand bottom where you can choose to head to the north or south reef.
BOURAIL AQUA DIVING, 98870 BOURAIL
Faille de Poe (★4.4)

Faille de Poe (★4.4)

Located in the middle of the Poe Lagoon, the rift is a really atypical site. It is an old river bed with limited visibility, often with a lot of current and an exceptional fauna. Minimum requirement is 20 dives.
Swiss Divers Association, 39390 Acapulco
El Rincon - Acapulco (★4.3)

El Rincon - Acapulco (★4.3)

Due to its sheltered location, “El Rincón” is an ideal place for snorkelling, divers for shallow dives and for beginners and various diving specialty courses. The shallow diving depth of up to 12m has plenty of space for a variety of marine flora and fauna. The main attraction are the artificial reefs.
CNM DIVE, 13211-698 JUNDIAI
Morro de Fora (★4.6)

Morro de Fora (★4.6)

An excellent location, this spot is close to Conceição Beach and offers dives of up to 16 meters. Very well known for the concentration of fire corals.