Diamond Ray
The diamond ray is an endemic South African species that draws dedicated surf-casters along the country's sandy coastline. Twice as wide as it is long, this butterfly ray can reach a disc width of 2. 5m and over 100kg — big enough to test heavy shore tackle.
Anglers find them in numbers from KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape, often in the surf zone and shallow bays.
Scientific Name: Gymnura natalensis
Also known as Backwater butterfly ray, diamond back skate, short-tailed ray
- Kite-shaped disc roughly twice as wide as it is long; pectoral fin tips angular, giving a clean diamond outline in the water.
- Dorsal surface light grey-brown with large diffuse darker blotches overlaid with broken white rings — resembles rock lichen and blends with sandy or muddy seabeds.
- Tail very short relative to disc size; carries one or more caudal stings — handle with care when beaching.
- Disc width to 250cm; typical catches are well under that, but fish over 1m across are common in productive surf zones.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Endemic to southern Africa — found along the South African coast from the Western Cape through KwaZulu-Natal, and into Namibia and southern Mozambique.
- Prefers shallow coastal waters: surf zones, sandy bays, estuaries, and coastal lagoons, generally from the shoreline down to about 75m.
- Rests and forages on sandy or muddy substrates, where its camouflage pattern makes it nearly invisible from above.
- Moves into estuarine waters as well as open surf, making it accessible to both shore and estuary anglers.
Key Locations
- Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape) — a well-documented surf-casting destination where charter operations report high catch numbers, including multi-fish sessions in summer.
- Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha area) — shallow sandy bays provide classic diamond ray habitat accessible from shore.
- KwaZulu-Natal coast — warm Indian Ocean water and sandy surf beaches along this coastline fall squarely in the species' core range.
Specific Spots
- Sandy surf gutters and troughs — the ray lies flat on the bottom in these depressions waiting for food to wash through with the surge.
- Shallow bays and estuary mouths where tidal flow concentrates crabs, worms, and small fish over soft substrate.
- Sandbanks and flats at low to mid tide, where rays move in to feed as water covers the flat and retreats with the ebb.
Diamond Ray FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Diamond Ray?
Fresh or cut fish bait, whole sardine, mackerel, or mullet, is the go-to for surf fishing; the scent trail in moving water draws rays from a distance. Whole squid or squid strips work consistently and stay on the hook well in rough surf conditions.
When is the best time to fish for Diamond Ray?
Summer (November–February) appears to be the most productive period, charter records from Jeffreys Bay point to February as a peak month with large numbers of fish present.
How do you catch Diamond Ray?
Most diamond rays in South Africa are caught by surf-casters fishing heavy bottom rigs with natural bait from sandy beaches and bays. Anglers cast beyond the surf gutter, let the bait sit on the bottom, and wait for the distinctive heavy pull that signals a ray has picked up the bait.
What do Diamond Ray eat?
Feeds on crabs, squid, polychaete worms, and small fish, a mixed bottom-feeding diet that responds well to fresh or cut bait presented on or near the sand. Despite a reputation as a scavenger, diamond rays actively hunt live fish; whole live baitfish or large cut fish baits account for many catches from the surf.
Where do Diamond Ray live?
Endemic to southern Africa, found along the South African coast from the Western Cape through KwaZulu-Natal, and into Namibia and southern Mozambique. Prefers shallow coastal waters: surf zones, sandy bays, estuaries, and coastal lagoons, generally from the shoreline down to about 75m.
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