Every year, thousands of divers flock to Bali to get a glimpse of the famous oceanic sun fish – also known as “Mola Mola”.
We are often asked what the best time of the year is to visit Bali should you want to see Mola Mola.
Mola Mola like the cold water, they are in Bali year round but usually live in the deep cold waters around Nusa Penida. When the conditions are right, they come up to the “shallows” (still deep for us-they are usually seen in 18m-40m) to get the parasites cleaned off of their skin. We often refer to this as the “Bali Spa”. Cleaner fish slowly pick and eat the parasites from the big fish’s skin and then they return to the depths.
The water temperature in Bali usually drops from about mid-June/early July to mid-October / early November. These are therefore the best months of the year to see Mola Mola.
We have the most consistent sightings in July and August when we see them almost every day.
Quite unlike anything else you can find in the ocean, these prehistoric looking fish are incredible to see. They are very docile and should the divers remain relatively “quiet” in the water, you could be in for a show. They are shy and do not respond well to bubbles or scary divers swimming towards them with big cameras.
We run trips to Nusa Penida almost every day during the months of July and August-the only thing you need to be aware of are our certification requirements. Due to the currents on Nusa Penida-we require our divers to have a minimum of the Advanced Open Water certification and 30 logged dives. This is for your safety and enjoyment of the day.
If you do not meet these certification requirements, you can book in for your PADI Advanced Open Water course and visit the island with a PADI Instructor to look after you.
Experience Bali’s underwater world with Blue Season Bali, for top quality scuba diving in Bali, PADI dive courses, snorkelling trips and even professional diving internships all around Bali.
Happy diving! J
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Nora Mazit
Posted at 3:37 pm, 13 FebHi there
I’m advanced open water diver with 100+ dives. I am current in bali right now and would like to know if you are doing trip to Nusa Penida to see the Mila Mila. Not sure 8f there is chances to see them now.
Can you let me know and 8f so how much cost the dive?
The
Nm
admin
Posted at 12:02 pm, 14 FebHi Nora – I have sent you an email with all of the details. 🙂 Just let me know if you don’t receive it! Tarryn
Sophie Barbaroux
Posted at 11:09 am, 02 MarHi, we are interested to scuba dive with the Mola Mola and the Rays we just have the open water PADI certification
So I was reading that you need the advance course?