Devil Rays Appear Off Southern California Coast
Three tropical ray species migrate north as El Niño warms Pacific Ocean waters.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Environmental
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Since September 2026, three species of devil rays have appeared off the Southern California coast. The rare migration is driven by warmer ocean temperatures linked to a very strong El Niño event.
Why it matters
Warmer surface waters in the Eastern Pacific attract tropical marine life to move north from their usual habitats. This shift alters local ecosystems by reducing the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep.
Devil rays observed in the area range from 3 to 17 feet across, while water temperatures off the coast have reached 73 degrees. These tropical species are moving into the region as El Niño suppresses the standard upwelling of deep, cold water.
The players
Carl Sbarounis
He is a pilot who documented the presence of devil rays along the coast from the air.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This federal agency monitors climate patterns and has officially ranked the current El Niño event as very strong.
The details
The species sighted include spinetail, bentfin, and the critically endangered sicklefin devil ray. This influx of tropical visitors coincides with other unusual sightings this year, including a whale shark near San Clemente and hammerhead sharks near Dana Point.
Timeline
September 2026: Pilot Carl Sbarounis observed devil rays from the air.
October 24, 2026: A pod of orcas appeared off Dana Point.
October 26, 2026: Sightseeing catamaran excursion conducted from Dana Point Harbor.
The Big Picture
This occurrence aligns with the specific migration patterns identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's El Niño monitoring. The presence of these rays confirms the broader shift in marine distribution currently unfolding in the Eastern Pacific.
Residents and tourists may notice changes in marine biodiversity during coastal safaris as tropical species continue to frequent the area. These shifts in water temperature could potentially impact the quality of future whale-watching and nature excursions.
The takeaway
Ocean warming continues to draw diverse marine life into new territories, providing a rare chance to see tropical species in local waters. Visitors on ocean excursions should remain observant as these anomalous sightings become more frequent during the current season.
Further reading
Learn more about local ecological changes in our Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Gate.
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