Chasing the Ocean’s Gentle Giant: Diving with the Mola mola
Dive Sites || Malta || Gozo and Comino || Book your excursion ||
Chasing the Ocean’s Gentle Giant: Diving with the Mola mola
There are underwater encounters that leave a mark on your soul.
The first time you meet a Mola mola, or ocean sunfish, is one of them. An enormous silver silhouette rising from the deep, fins like airplane wings, and a curious eye watching you closely. They can grow over 3 meters long, weigh more than a ton, yet they glide through the water with a slow, mesmerizing grace.
As a passionate scuba traveler, I’ve chased these giants across three incredible destinations: the Galapagos, Indonesia, and Oman. Here’s how to make your own unforgettable encounter—safely and respectfully.
1. Galapagos – The Wild Kingdom of Giants
Where to go: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island.
Here, cold nutrient-rich waters attract the Mola mola to cleaning stations along sheer volcanic walls. Descend into the blue, and you might spot one emerging from the deep, tilting sideways to let smaller fish groom it.
Reporter’s tip: Move slowly and never block their path. They’re shy—patience is the key to a close encounter.
Don’t miss: hammerhead sharks patrolling the blue, marine iguanas grazing underwater, and penguins darting past in the shallows.
Best time: year-round, with calmer conditions in May.
Experience level: intermediate to advanced due to currents and cold water.
2. Nusa Penida, Bali – The Sanctuary of Crystal Bay
Where to go: Crystal Bay, a renowned cleaning station where Mola mola rise from the deep trenches to get pampered by reef fish. Visibility can reach an astonishing 45 meters.
Reporter’s tip: Mola mola often stay between 20–25 meters. Wear at least a 5 mm wetsuit—the cold upwellings that bring them in can drop water temps suddenly.
Don’t miss: giant manta rays at Manta Point, and thrilling drift dives at Toyapakeh with swirling schools of barracuda and trevally.
Best time: July–September, though sightings are possible year-round.
Experience level: mixed. Crystal Bay is accessible for less experienced divers, but some sites in Nusa Penida require advanced drift diving skills.
3. Musandam, Oman – The Off-the-Map Adventure
Where to go: The pristine reefs of the Musandam Peninsula. Far from the crowds, these nutrient-rich waters can surprise you with a Mola mola passing by coral-covered walls.
Reporter’s tip: Bring a wide-angle camera. Summer light and clear water can give you some of the most dramatic shots of your diving life.
Don’t miss: whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and massive schools of pelagics in the blue.
Best time: summer months.
Experience level: suitable for all divers, with plenty of relaxed reef dives.
Safety First
Mola mola thrive in places where conditions can change fast—strong currents, thermoclines, and depth.
- Wear the right exposure suit and carry a surface marker buoy.
- Maintain perfect buoyancy to avoid descending too deep.
- Keep a respectful distance—getting too close can stress the animal and ruin the encounter.
Why the Chase is Worth It
Seeing a Mola mola is like peering back into another age, when the ocean was home to strange, majestic creatures. It’s a reminder of how fragile and precious the sea is—and why it’s worth protecting.
As I always say: “The ocean rewards those who respect it.” If you’re lucky, one day a familiar silhouette will emerge from the blue, and you’ll know you’ve found the gentle giant you’ve been seeking.
Credits: Photo from the web
Author: Francesco Cordone
