The mola mola, or ocean sunfish, is normally spotted in places like Bali during the coldest months. But in Maumere Bay, we’ve seen them in February. This makes it one of the rarest and most exciting marine encounters you can experience here.
A Sunfish in February?
In our experience, it is rare to see a mola mola in Maumere Bay. This massive, alien-looking fish usually prefers colder waters. In Bali, for example, they are only visible in August and September, when cold-water thermoclines rise to the surface.
That is why we were so excited to spot two or three mola molas in February. The sightings happened when the water was cooler than usual. It was one of those surreal moments. You are on the boat, looking at calm blue water, and suddenly there it is. A floating fin, a strange circular shape. Then it dives again.
What is a Mola Mola?
If you have never seen a mola mola, imagine a giant fish that looks like a flattened disc, almost like a swimming head with fins. It is the heaviest bony fish in the world, weighing between 1,000 and 2,300 kilograms and growing up to 3.3 metres tall from fin to fin.
They belong to the Molidae family and are best known for:
- Their lack of a true tail
- Their slow, clumsy swimming style
- Their habit of basking near the surface
What Do They Eat?
Mola molas feed mostly on jellyfish, but they also eat:
- Small fish
- Salps
- Squid
- Zooplankton
They are gentle and completely harmless to humans. Despite their bulk, they pose no threat to divers and often glide by with almost no reaction to your presence.
Why Are They Surfacing?
Mola molas dive hundreds of metres into cold water to feed. Afterward, they float near the surface to absorb heat from the sun. This is what gives them the nickname sunfish. It is also when divers and snorkellers get lucky enough to spot them.
We have also seen them hover motionless near cleaning stations, where fish like wrasse and butterflyfish nibble off parasites. These moments are often long enough for a great photo.
Why Are They in Maumere?
Usually, mola molas are found in regions with cold-water upwellings, like Nusa Penida in Bali, where they are predictable during the colder months. August and September are the traditional season.
Maumere, however, has a different story. Our sightings in February may be due to:
- Shifts in oceanic currents
- Localised upwellings
- Maumere’s deeper offshore topography, which allows cooler water to reach the surface even when the season is warm
Whatever the reason, this makes Maumere an emerging hotspot for rare marine life, and mola molas are now part of that growing list.
More Facts You’ll Want to Know
- Thermoregulation: After deep dives, they come up to warm themselves in the sun.
- Predators: Despite their size, mola molas are preyed upon by orcas, sea lions, and large sharks.
- Conservation status: Listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. They are threatened by plastic pollution, bycatch, and boat strikes.
- Behaviour: They are solitary, slow-moving, and often appear to be lost, which only adds to their mystery.
Why This Matters
Seeing a mola mola is on many divers’ bucket lists. Most people travel to Bali or colder regions to try and catch a glimpse. To see them in Maumere, and in a month like February, is a reminder of how wild and surprising the ocean can be.
This is not just another dive. This is a chance to witness something rare and majestic in one of Indonesia’s most underrated marine environments.
Want to See a Mola Mola for Yourself?
At Happy Dive Retreat, we dive these waters every day. From rare sightings to coral gardens and reef sharks, we’ll guide you to the best of what Maumere Bay has to offer.
Book your dive trip with us today and discover Maumere’s wildest side.
Contact us today to get started!
