Mola Mola Season is Here: Your Guide to Spotting the Elusive Oceanic Sunfish
Every scuba diver has a “bucket list” of incredible creatures they dream of seeing in the wild. For many who visit our corner of paradise, the number one spot on that list is held by one of the ocean’s most bizarre and magnificent inhabitants: the Mola Mola, or oceanic sunfish.
And we have exciting news for all you divers: the best time of year to see them is right now. The water is cooling, the currents are shifting, and Mola Mola season in Lembongan is officially underway! This is your ultimate Nusa Lembongan Diving Guide to spotting this gentle giant.
Meet the Mola: The Ocean’s Strangest Star
What makes the Mola Mola so special? Well, for starters, it looks like a giant swimming head with fins. As the world’s heaviest bony fish, these prehistoric-looking creatures can weigh over 2,000 kg. They get their “sunfish” nickname from their habit of basking on their side at the ocean’s surface to warm up after deep dives.
They are drawn to the reefs around the Nusa Islands for one primary reason: to visit “cleaning stations,” where smaller fish like bannerfish and angelfish bravely swim up to them and eat the parasites off their skin. Witnessing this symbiotic relationship is an incredible spectacle.
A Diver’s Guide to Finding Mola Mola
Spotting a Mola is a combination of timing, luck, and being in the right place. Here’s what you need to know.
- When is Mola Mola Season? The peak season runs from July through October. During these months, deep, cold-water upwellings bring the Mola from the abyss up to recreational diving depths to get cleaned.
- Where are the Hotspots? The most famous dive site for Mola sightings is Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida, just a short boat ride from Lembongan. Its sheltered bay and deep channel to the open ocean make it a popular cleaning station. Other potential sites include Blue Corner and Toyapakeh.
- The Diving Conditions (Important!): Finding Mola Mola requires specific dive conditions, and these dives are not suitable for beginners.
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- Depth: Mola are often found deep, typically between 25-40 meters. You will need an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent to dive to these depths.
- Cold Water: That deep, nutrient-rich water is cold! Water temperature can drop to a chilly 20-24°C (68-75°F). A 5mm wetsuit is highly recommended.
- Currents: The dive sites are exposed to strong and sometimes unpredictable currents. Excellent buoyancy and confidence in currents are essential.
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Dive & Stay: Let Us Handle the Details at Gecko Bungalows
Planning a diving adventure to a new destination can be overwhelming, but we’re here to make it simple. At Gecko Bungalows, we offer the perfect, comfortable base for your trip, combining a relaxing stay with world-class underwater adventure.
When you book your “Dive & Stay” adventure at Gecko Bungalows, we can help arrange your dive trips with top-rated, safety-conscious local dive centers. We have excellent relationships with the best operators on the island who know the Mola sites intimately. You can relax knowing you’re diving with experienced professionals, and after an exhilarating day at sea, you can return to the peace and comfort of our garden and pool.
Responsible Diving Code of Conduct: Remember, we are visitors in their world. If you are lucky enough to spot a Mola:
- Do not chase or block its path.
- Approach slowly and from the side.
- Never touch the Mola or the cleaning fish.
- Keep a respectful distance of at least 10 meters.
A Mola Mola sighting is the holy grail for many divers, and while it’s never guaranteed, putting yourself in the right place at the right time is the first step. The season is on, the ocean is calling, and your adventure awaits.