Under the surface, amid crevices in coral reefs or within rocky ledges in twilight depths, lurk some of the ocean’s most evocative predators: moray eels. Their sinuous bodies, razor-sharp teeth, sometimes lurid colourations, and partly hidden lives have made them symbols of mystery in marine ecosystems. Yet they are vital parts of reef health, fascinating to study, and beautiful—if observed with care. Here we explore what makes morays unique, where you can reliably spot different kinds, how to photograph them without disturbing them, their life history, threats, and what divers and citizens can do to help protect them.

What Is a Moray Eel: Biology, Diet, Lifecycle

Taxonomy & Anatomy
Moray eels belong to the family Muraenidae, part of the order Anguilliformes. There are approximately 200 species in some 15 genera. Wikipedia+2Oceana+2

Physically, morays have elongated, muscular, serpentine bodies, typically scaleless and covered in a protective mucus. Their dorsal fin runs continuously from just behind the head down the back and merges with the caudal (tail) and anal fins—a flowing line rather than distinct, separated fins. Wikipedia+1

They often have relatively small eyes—vision is less important than smell and the ability to detect vibration and chemical cues. One striking adaptation is the pharyngeal jaw (a second set of jaws deeper in the throat) which aids in capturing prey and drawing it backward. Wikipedia

There is considerable diversity in jaw and tooth shape: some morays have sharp, pointed teeth for catching slippery prey like fish; others have blunt or molar-like teeth for crushing crustaceans or shelled animals. Wikipedia

Diet and Feeding Behavior
Morays are carnivores and opportunistic predators. Their diet may include smaller fish, crustaceans (crabs, shrimp), octopuses and other cephalopods, sometimes even other eels. They lie in wait in crevices, often with only their head protruding, then ambush passing prey. Some species engage in cooperative hunting—for example, morays and certain groupers, or other fish, working in concert to flush prey from hiding. Wikipedia+2Black Turtle Dive Koh Tao+2

They often feed at night or in low-light conditions; some are more active during the day in specific habitats.

Lifecycle and Reproduction
Though many details remain poorly known, moray eels reproduce by external fertilization: males and females release eggs and sperm into the open water. The eggs develop into transparent, ribbon-like leptocephalus larvae that drift in plankton for long periods (often many months). Eventually, these settle and metamorphose into juvenile morays, which then find crevices or suitable reef habitats. Wikipedia+1

Growth rates vary among species and habitats; size at maturity also varies. Some species grow quite large (over a meter or more), others remain small.

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8 Destinations Where Divers Commonly Encounter Moray Eels (and Endemic or Notable Species)

Below are eight dive destinations around the world where moray eels are regularly seen, along with one or more species either endemic or particularly characteristic of each location, and what divers might expect.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands offer one of the most remote and biodiverse underwater environments in the Pacific. Here, divers can encounter a wide range of moray eels—about 16 species inhabit the Galápagos Marine Reserve—including speckled, zebra, and fangtooth morays. While none are endemic to the Galápagos alone, the archipelago's isolation means that local populations often exhibit unique behaviors. Cold upwellings mix with tropical currents, and rocky ledges create ideal hiding spots where morays wait for passing prey. Night dives often reveal them in full motion, hunting along lava formations and reef drop-offs.

Maldives

The coral reefs and current-swept channels of the Maldives are a haven for several species of moray eel. The most iconic here is the blackcheek moray (Gymnothorax breedeni), frequently seen peeking from coral rubble or sponge-covered overhangs. Giant morays and honeycomb morays are also common, growing up to 3 meters in length. Thilas (submerged reefs), coral pinnacles, and channel entrances are hotspots for spotting morays. Their abundance in the Maldives speaks to the overall health of the reef system, where clear water and rich biodiversity create perfect conditions for both prey and predator.

Thailand – Similan Islands, Koh Tao, Richelieu Rock

Thailand's Andaman Sea, especially around the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock, is home to a vibrant array of moray eel species. Divers frequently spot the massive giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus), yellow-edged morays, and the smaller white-eyed moray, which prefers daytime activity. These eels find refuge in the deep crevices of limestone walls, coral heads, and artificial reef structures. With a bit of patience, divers can even observe cleaning interactions between morays and cleaner shrimp or wrasses. Richelieu Rock, with its swirling schools of baitfish and strong currents, often provides the most action-packed moray sightings.

Caribbean – Bonaire, Florida Keys, and Beyond

Moray eels are common sights on Caribbean reefs, particularly around Bonaire, the Florida Keys, and other southern Caribbean islands. Species like the green moray (Gymnothorax funebris), spotted moray (G. moringa), chain moray (Echidna catenata), and golden-tail moray (G. miliaris) dominate the scene. Green morays can grow quite large and often remain partially exposed, their characteristic gaping mouths misleadingly interpreted as aggression—it’s actually a breathing mechanism. Many dive sites here are shallow and accessible, making them perfect for observing these eels without needing deep technical dives. Night dives add another layer, revealing their hunting behaviors in full.

Red Sea – Egypt and Sudan

In the coral gardens and steep drop-offs of the Red Sea, divers often come across several visually striking moray species. The banded moray, honeycomb moray, and the uniquely patterned Gymnothorax rueppelliae—named after the 19th-century German explorer Eduard Rüppell—are especially prominent. The Red Sea is part of the Indo-Pacific bioregion; yet, its isolation has led to a concentration of species found nowhere else. Wreck dives around Hurghada and the reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park offer reliable opportunities for sightings, especially in areas where caves and coral overhangs are abundant. The water clarity here also makes for excellent photography conditions.

Canary Islands – Eastern Atlantic

The Canary Islands, along with Madeira and the Azores, are volcanic islands that offer prime habitat for several interesting moray eel species. Most notable is the Canary moray (Gymnothorax bacalladoi), an endemic species found only in this region. Black, brown, and fangtooth morays are also commonly seen slinking between boulders and artificial reefs. Divers often find them resting inside submerged lava tubes or darting through rubble on night dives. Despite their Atlantic location, the subtropical climate and warm currents create a reef-like ecosystem rich in fish and crustaceans, providing an abundance of prey for these agile hunters.

Hawaii

Hawaiian reefs are home to over 40 species of moray eels, making them one of the most eel-rich environments in the Pacific. While most species here are not exclusive to Hawaii, some, like the dwarf moray, are rarely seen elsewhere. Undulated morays, yellow-margin morays, and stout morays are all frequently observed by divers. The islands’ lava tubes, underwater caves, and fringing reefs provide excellent hiding spots. On night dives, morays often leave their dens to hunt, and lucky divers may witness them stalking crabs or small reef fish. Because Hawaiian reefs are relatively isolated, their ecosystems are fragile—careful observation is essential.

Raja Ampat and the Coral Triangle

No list of moray eel hotspots would be complete without the Coral Triangle, particularly Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and Papua New Guinea. This region has the highest marine biodiversity on Earth, and moray eels are no exception. Divers can find dozens of species here, from the familiar giant moray to the recently discovered Uropterygius hades, a striking, pitch-black eel found in estuarine mud. Raja Ampat’s limestone karst formations, mangrove fringes, and coral-dense slopes provide unlimited hiding places. Cleaner shrimp often cluster near moray dens, creating compelling photo opportunities. This region is also a frontier for eel research—divers who record behavior, sightings, or new morphologies can make genuine scientific contributions.

Recommended Operating Procedures for Photographers & Scuba Groups

To see moray eels at their very best—and to photograph them well—you need patience, care, and some discipline in the group. Here are suggested procedures to help avoid scaring the fish, allowing all divers in your group to get close, and achieving good images.

1. Pre-dive briefing

   • Discuss the plan: who is going where, what routes are being taken, and any potential safety stops. Identify in advance which species/group you hope to see.

   • Remind divers to maintain neutral buoyancy, control their movement, and avoid sudden motions.

   • Assign roles (e.g., guide spotter, back-up safety diver, photographer(s)), with clear signals.

2. Approach gently, minimize disturbance

   • Keep noise low: bubbles, equipment clinks, and fin kicks generate disturbance. Use smooth fin strokes, keep fins out of sediment.

   • Approach from downhill or from outside a moray’s lair rather than coming straight into its retreat. Avoid casting shadows.

   • Stay slightly off to the side if possible; avoid looming directly over the eel or blocking its escape route.

3. Observe and wait

   • When you find a moray hiding, resist the urge to shine bright lights or wave your camera immediately. Wait for it to extend or peek. Many morays will only move out if they feel safe.

   • Use gentle lighting; avoid shining lights directly into crevices. Instead, use diffused or angled illumination.

4. Group spacing and sequencing

   • Limit the number of divers who try to photograph at the same time. One or two photographers enter first, followed by others.

   • Maintain vertical separation (some divers slightly above or to the side) to prevent clustering.

   • If the group is large, stagger the approaches or assign spots to avoid crowding.

5. Camera settings & equipment prep

   • Prepare your camera before approaching: set the focus mode (preferably manual or pre-set to a near distance to the reef), white balance (or RAW so you can adjust it later), and lens choice (macro, semi-macro, or wide with close focus).

   • Use strobes or external lighting carefully: avoid backscatter by lighting from angles, using snoots or diffusers.

   • Use a short shutter duration to freeze motion (eels may lunge), but balance with an aperture suitable for depth of field.

6. Respect safety & the animal’s limits

   • Never force a moray out; if it retreats, respect that.

   • Keep a safe distance from its open mouth and teeth; morays can strike if provoked.

   • Be aware of your limbs, hoses, etc., so you don’t accidentally poke into its space.

7. Post-dive debrief & sharing

   • Discuss what worked and what didn’t in terms of approaching and photographing.

   • If images are good, share responsibly, crediting species, location, time, and behavior.

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Tips for Best Photography Results

To capture striking photos of moray eels, here are specific techniques and tips:

• Golden hour underwater: early morning or late afternoon light tends to have a softer angle and more atmospheric shadows, especially on shallow reefs.

• Night dives: many morays are more active or more visible at night; their behavior (emerging from lairs, hunting) can make for compelling shots. Use lights carefully.

• Use of wide apertures and shallow depth-of-field: when focusing on an eel’s head or mouth, a shallow depth can isolate texture and detail of teeth, mottled skin, mucous etc.

• Macro & close-focus wide-angle: For smaller species or environmental portraits (capturing both the eel and its environment), a wide-angle lens with close foreground works well.

• Natural behavior: aim to capture the eel hunting, interacting with cleaner shrimp, opening its mouth (but not in an aggressive pose necessarily), or cooperating with other species. Behavior tells a story.

• Color correction: Due to depth and water filtering, colors shift (reds and oranges are lost first). Use strobes or post-processing to restore color; shoot in RAW if possible.

• Composition: leading lines (crevice, rock ledge), texture, contrast between eel patterns and background. Eyes and mouth are often focal points; consider how light falls there.

Conservation Status, Threats, and What Can Help

Conservation Status

• Many moray eel species are currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, or they are not evaluated in detail. For instance, the green moray (Gymnothorax funebris) is not currently threatened according to major assessments. Oceana+1

• However, there is limited data for many species. Some, especially those with a narrow range (endemic to small islands or river mouths) or habitats under acute threat, may be more vulnerable, although this has not yet been fully assessed.

Significant Threats

1. Habitat degradation: The degradation of coral reefs due to bleaching (caused by ocean warming), acidification, sedimentation, and pollution (including nutrients, plastics, and toxins) reduces both shelter (such as crevices and overhangs) and prey availability. similandivecenter.com+2abyss.com.au+2

2. Overfishing & bycatch: While morays are not commonly targeted commercially (though in some places morays are eaten, which can lead to risk due to ciguatera poisoning) they may be caught inadvertently, or their prey may be overfished. X-Ray International Dive Magazine+2abyss.com.au+2

3. Pollution and water quality: Runoff, plastic pollution, and chemical contaminants can harm morays directly or indirectly through their prey and habitat.

4. Disturbance from tourism: Poor diving practices, anchoring on reefs, excessive light or noise deposition in delicate reef zones can stress morays and cause them to hide permanently.

5. Climate change: Warming waters, more frequent bleaching, increased storm damage, and sea level changes can all threaten reef structure.

What Divers and Others Can Do

• Support or dive with operators who follow sustainable practices: no anchoring on corals, good buoyancy, limited group size, proper lighting, etc.

• Help collect data: Citizen science (taking photos with species ID, GPS, depth, and date) can help fill gaps. Reporting unusual sightings, monitoring population trends.

• Support reef protection: marine protected areas (MPAs), reef restoration, pollution control, and warming mitigation.

• Educate tourists and local communities about the importance of not feeding morays, not disturbing them, and not collecting them for the aquarium trade, among other key considerations.

• Legislation and enforcement: support laws that protect habitat, limit pollutants, and regulate fisheries of reef species.

Summary

Moray eels are among the ocean’s most mysterious, beautiful, and ecologically important creatures. From coral reefs in the tropics to rocky island walls in the Atlantic, and from isolated estuarine habitats, they thrive in many places, yet are vulnerable in many ways. For scuba divers and underwater photographers, the key to memorable encounters lies in patience, respect, and good technique—approaching gently, allowing the eel to reveal itself, and capturing its character rather than startling it. Through increased awareness, responsible tourism practices, and scientific engagement, we can help ensure that these elusive predators continue their vital work in reef ecosystems for generations to come.