Mola Mola in Bali where to stay
- Thread starter Clernix
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Dan
Contributor
I think the Mola Mola season is over by then. The best time to see is from August to September, but you may be still lucky enough to see some stragglers. The best place to stay is in Sanur & take a boat ride to Crystal Bay in Nusa Penida. PM me if you want a good dive guide, as diving in Crystal Bay is a bit dangerous (down current) & temperature could be cold (< 70F).
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Hi Clernix,
@Dan_T is right: you're getting here a bit late for the usual sunfish season. That being said, this year is very special as we still have not had any thermoclines yet. The cold water normally arrives around April and we get a few months of cold water before the molas hit the stage. It's difficult to know what effect this will have on the sunfish. Village elders tell me they've never seen this... Will they come late? Will they come as plentiful as last year? Will they come at all?
I've been told of a couple of sightings in fairly deep water. But I'm not 100% sure of the correctness of that source!
@Clernix Nusa Penida is great for sunfish. I personally prefer Blue Corner or Toyapakeh to Crystal Bay as bubble baths while diving are not my thing. Also, have a look at sites like Gili Tepekong, Mimpang, Biaha and Selang. These often see sunfish with few divers even at times when the molas have not made it to Penida yet.
@Dan_T is right: you're getting here a bit late for the usual sunfish season. That being said, this year is very special as we still have not had any thermoclines yet. The cold water normally arrives around April and we get a few months of cold water before the molas hit the stage. It's difficult to know what effect this will have on the sunfish. Village elders tell me they've never seen this... Will they come late? Will they come as plentiful as last year? Will they come at all?
I've been told of a couple of sightings in fairly deep water. But I'm not 100% sure of the correctness of that source!
@Clernix Nusa Penida is great for sunfish. I personally prefer Blue Corner or Toyapakeh to Crystal Bay as bubble baths while diving are not my thing. Also, have a look at sites like Gili Tepekong, Mimpang, Biaha and Selang. These often see sunfish with few divers even at times when the molas have not made it to Penida yet.
Tippytoes12
Contributor
I disagree with the recommendation to stay in Sanur. This is quite a way from Lembongan. If you stay on the island itself , Nusa Lembongan and dive with an experienced local dive shop you will get there when it is relatively quiet and will have a better chance to see them if they do appear. We saw three last year in late October. Diving in the area can be challenging with strong currents , coldish water and challenging surface conditions. Masses of day boats arrive together and make these diving sites very tricky.
Bali-Freak
Contributor
I often recommend people come end-September / start-October. We usually still see them at that time and if you do have an encounter it's likely to be a much more enjoyable one because the crowds will have thinned out by then. Also the wind should have dropped so a less choppy crossing and more pleasant diving conditions.
As always with these unpredictable ugly beasts - you pays your money and you takes your choice.
Hard core divers may prefer to stay on Lembongan but Sanur offers lots more options for the non-diving hours (and family). Some really top restaurants these days, good bars, nightclub, zillions of shops, a nice beach and not too far to Kuta / Seminyak / Legian for a night out. Depends what you're looking for I guess.
As always with these unpredictable ugly beasts - you pays your money and you takes your choice.
Hard core divers may prefer to stay on Lembongan but Sanur offers lots more options for the non-diving hours (and family). Some really top restaurants these days, good bars, nightclub, zillions of shops, a nice beach and not too far to Kuta / Seminyak / Legian for a night out. Depends what you're looking for I guess.
Dan
Contributor
Exactly! That's the reason I pick Sanur. There are so many things you can do in Bali, besides diving & you want to be in the center of all of the actions.
I was not fortunate to be there during Mola Mola season, but I did not especially enjoy my stay on Lembongan. Next trip I would opt to stay in Sanur and take a day boat. I suspect that a fast, seaworthy day boat could cross the channel and get on site no later than one of the slow boats from Lembongan.
Bali-Freak
Contributor
Stop Press (a couple of hours ago):
Mola @ 22m taking a warm bath (30 degrees C).
Yes, our boat takes 30 minutes from Sanur.
Mola @ 22m taking a warm bath (30 degrees C).
Yes, our boat takes 30 minutes from Sanur.
Bali-Freak
Contributor
Yes, usually end of September is good time.
Padang Bai and Candi Dasa are more accessible for North and East Bali, but less accessible for South Bali (for example Uluwatu). For Ubud it's probably quicker from Sanur because going from Padang Bai / Candi Dasa to Ubud uses smaller and slower roads. Basically, Padang Bai and Candi Dasa are most suitable for hard core divers who just want to dive.
Padang Bai and Candi Dasa are more accessible for North and East Bali, but less accessible for South Bali (for example Uluwatu). For Ubud it's probably quicker from Sanur because going from Padang Bai / Candi Dasa to Ubud uses smaller and slower roads. Basically, Padang Bai and Candi Dasa are most suitable for hard core divers who just want to dive.
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