How to spot the Sunfish when scuba diving
Mola mola
Found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Pelagic (open ocean) species, often found deep but comes shallower seasonally.
Best chances are often seasonal, coinciding with cooler waters or upwellings that bring them shallower to visit cleaning stations. Peak season around Nusa Penida/Lembongan, Bali is typically July-October/November when water temps drop (18-24°C).
Prefer cooler deep water but come to warmer surface layers. Encounter seasons often linked to thermoclines and specific temperature ranges (e.g., 18-24°C / 64-75°F in Bali Mola season).
Known aggregation points often involve deep reefs with cleaning stations (e.g., Crystal Bay, Blue Corner in Nusa Penida, Bali). Also encountered pelagically in places like the Galapagos or Azores. Approach slowly and calmly, avoid bubbles/sudden movements, do not block their path, no flash photography. Often requires deeper dives and preparedness for currents.
Worldwide observation of the Sunfish
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Data sources
- Photos: Wikimedia Commons
- Distribution and specie data: GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
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