Ocean Sunfish in June?

[Hintermann]

I am going to Bali/Komodo in June 2014 to dive and watch the Bali Arts Festival. The dive schedule includes 4 days of diving in Tulamben Bay followed by a week's liveaboard cruise to the Komodo National Park.

One of the creatures that I am hoping to see in Tulamben - but admittedly very unlikely in June - is the famous Mola Mola, more commonly known as the Ocean Sunfish. This odd looking pelagic is usually seen between July and October in Tulamben and neighbouring areas and I am hoping that I may meet an early arrival in June. I have even offered the dive guide a USD 50 reward if he/she can get me close to a free swimming adult specimen.

What are my chances of seeing one?

 

[ocdiver1]

not good at all in Tulamben. Far better chance at Nusa Punida/Lembongan although June is a little early for the season

 

[frogfish]

Mola molas are rarely seen in Tulamben, but it does happen. As ocdiver1 suggested, you will have a better chance in Penida/Lembongan, or you could try the Gilis off Candidasa.

I also saw a Mola at Manta Alley in South Komodo once, so there is a chance there as well

 

[divewench1]

Better chances of seeing the Mola2 at Gili Tepekong/Gili Mimpang and the Nusa Penida sites, and having seen them as early as February, you can never tell whether June will be a good month, as it will more likely on how cold the water is; the colder the better the chances.:cold::cold:

 

[Hintermann]

OK. I am staying in Sanur for 4 days to see the activities related to the Arts Festival before going to Tulamben to dive. Since I have not actually paid any deposit except for the Liveaboard and Pondok Ayu hotel in Sanur, I could alter my plans a little to see if I can get to Nusa Penida for a day. Amanda, is there a local Dive centre that you'd recommend that does day trips to the island?

 

[jake11]

We saw them in September in Nusa Penida. June might be a bit early??? Have fun!

 

[Hintermann]

OK. I tweaked my itinerary a little and found that there are a few dive operators that do day trips to Nusa Penida. Assuming that they go in June (will check), $95 for the boat trip, 2 dives and lunch seems reasonable. They need a max of only 2 divers to go and unless I am very unlucky, things should be all right. There might be an outside chance of seeing the Mola Mola but even if I miss, I'll get 2 good dives in.

 

[OnTheSpot]

I would try getting a day trip that includes manta point, there's a much better chance of seeing these at this time of year. You may get lucky with the Mola Mola's, wildlife has annoying habit of not doing what we expect. Should have no trouble getting the 2 required divers and the daytrips do run in June. I dived Tulamben last month for the first time, can't recommend it highly enough. Seraya Secrets(macro) and Batu kelebit (nice coral garden) are also worth a try. Some pictures I took at Tulamben https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151428343811173.1073741826.211548796172&type=1. Enjoy!

 

[Hintermann]

I would try getting a day trip that includes manta point, there's a much better chance of seeing these at this time of year. You may get lucky with the Mola Mola's, wildlife has annoying habit of not doing what we expect. Should have no trouble getting the 2 required divers and the daytrips do run in June. I dived Tulamben last month for the first time, can't recommend it highly enough. Seraya Secrets(macro) and Batu kelebit (nice coral garden) are also worth a try. Some pictures I took at Tulamben https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151428343811173.1073741826.211548796172&type=1. Enjoy!

Thanks. I have seen plenty of manta rays in my time in the Maldives and elsewhere and in any case have a liveaboard cruise booked to Socorro in May 2015. Therefore, I won't go looking for mantas on the Bali / Komodo trip next year but will certainly interact with any specimens that happen to be around. But the Ocean Sunfish is an entirely different matter and the Bali trip might be my only chance - albeit a slim one - of seeing it (unless it is found in Kimbe Bay and surrounding areas in October).

My Tulamben itinerary will not be affected by the Nusa Penida side trip. In Tulambern, both Sereya Secrets (night dive) and Batu Kelebit are both on the menu, as are the Liberty Wreck (day & night), Drop Off, Coral Garden, Kubu, Tianyar, Batu Belah (night dive), Emerald, Big Tree and Alamanda. The final dive is planned to be the Tulamben drift. Liberty Dive Resort have provided an excellent itinerary and guide.

On that trip I am certain to see another critter that I have wanted to all my life. This one weighs around 60 kilos and lives on land. No prizes for guessing what it is.

 

[zivva]

Agree with Divewench1, water temp is one of the most important aspect.

We had some temperature drops last week around Penida (and a few mola² spotted on the north coast, at Manta Point & in Crystal Bay) because of upwelling caused by big swell & strong wind but in average, water is currently still quite warm around the island (got 28°C @ Pura Ped & Toyapakeh this morning ...). It was much more cold last year at the same time of the year.

Hopefully we will start freezing soon, not only to get better chances to spot the big fish but also to get better viz ... & hopefully for you temperature will drop sooner next year