Hundreds of rays gathered just metres from a beach in Florida to enjoy the warmer waters there.

The cownose rays were seen on Wednesday afternoon (12 May) near Captiva Island, Florida, USA. The sight is part of an annual phenomenon.

Jason Koza, 34, works for YOLO watersports and captured the scene whilst operating a parasailing boat.

He said: "I was born and raised in the local area so it’s always a delight to see the various wildlife migrate to the Gulf of Mexico with the change in season when the warmer tropical weather begins.

"I was quite shocked to see that many traveling together, even though it’s common for them to do that.

"Sometimes the rays will travel just far enough offshore so that beach goers can’t see them, or won’t notice them, but in this instance they glided peacefully right along the coastline."

Hundreds of rays gathered together just metres from the beach as they enjoyed the warmer waters. The cownose rays were seen on Wednesday (12) afternoon near Captiva Island, Florida, USA as part of an annual phenomenon. Jason Koza, 34, works for YOLO watersports and captured the phenomenon whilst operating a parasailing boat.

He said: "I was born and raised in the local area so it’s always a delight to see the various wildlife migrate to the Gulf of Mexico with the change in season when the warmer tropical weather begins.

"I was quite shocked to see that many traveling together, even though it’s common for them to do that.

"Sometimes the rays will travel just far enough offshore so that beach goers can’t see them, or won’t notice them, but in this instance they glided peacefully right along the coastline.