Honeycomb Stingray
The honeycomb stingray is a large, bottom-dwelling ray found along South Africa's subtropical eastern coastline.
Native to the western Indian Ocean, it turns up in KwaZulu-Natal's coastal shallows and estuaries, where shore and surf anglers occasionally hook one while targeting other species. It's not a primary target, but its size and power make any encounter memorable.
Scientific Name: Himantura uarnak
Also known as Reticulate whipray
- Diamond-shaped pectoral disc with a sharply pointed snout; overall brown background covered in a pale yellow-brown honeycomb or reticulated spot pattern — unmistakable at a glance.
- Extremely long whip-like tail with no fin folds, tipped with one or more venomous barbed spines — handle with serious caution.
- Disc width reaches up to 200 cm; large individuals can weigh over 100 kg, though most encountered inshore are considerably smaller.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the western Indian Ocean; in South Africa it occurs along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, where warm subtropical waters suit it.
- Moves between coastal marine shallows and brackish estuaries — an amphidromous species comfortable in both environments.
- Typically found on sandy or muddy bottoms in depths of roughly 20–50 m, though it ventures into very shallow surf and estuary mouths.
Key Locations
- KwaZulu-Natal coastline — the warm Indian Ocean waters here represent the species' South African range, from estuaries to nearshore surf beaches.
- KwaZulu-Natal estuaries — tidal systems along this coast provide the brackish habitat the species regularly uses.
Specific Spots
- Sandy estuary mouths and tidal flats — rays work these areas on the flood tide, rooting through soft substrate for buried prey.
- Shallow nearshore sand patches adjacent to reef structure, where invertebrates and small fish concentrate.
- Surf zone gutters along KwaZulu-Natal beaches, particularly where a sandbar creates a deeper trough running parallel to shore.
Honeycomb Stingray FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Honeycomb Stingray?
Fresh or frozen prawn, squid, and cut fish (mullet, sardine) are the standard bottom baits, presented on a size 4/0–8/0 circle hook on a fish-finder rig. Live or fresh whole small fish can draw attention from larger rays patrolling sandy flats at night.
When is the best time to fish for Honeycomb Stingray?
Warm summer months (October–March) align with peak water temperatures in the 23–26°C range and coincide with the species' pupping season, generally the most active period inshore.
How do you catch Honeycomb Stingray?
Most encounters in South Africa happen incidentally, shore or surf anglers fishing the KwaZulu-Natal coast with bottom rigs for other species hook them on bait. Dedicated ray fishing means fishing sandy bottom at night with heavy surf gear and fresh bait, with the rod in a sand spike and the reel's clicker on.
What do Honeycomb Stingray eat?
Feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, crabs, prawns, worms, molluscs, and small bony fish. For bait fishing, fresh prawn, squid, or cut fish presented on the bottom directly imitates this natural forage.
Where do Honeycomb Stingray live?
Native to the western Indian Ocean; in South Africa it occurs along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, where warm subtropical waters suit it. Moves between coastal marine shallows and brackish estuaries, an amphidromous species comfortable in both environments.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Honeycomb Stingray.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Honeycomb Stingray water
Pick Honeycomb Stingray and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Honeycomb Stingray
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Honeycomb Stingray are.
Open the map, filter by Honeycomb Stingray, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.