When is the Mola Mola Season in Bali?

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!