Have you ever heard about Mola Mola? It’s a fish as big as rhinoceros, growing in a flat circular shape like a giant plate with fins, living far in the twilight zone of the deep sea. The Mola Mola might appears in utterly ridiculous shape. However, that doesn’t stop it from being one of the greatest star of the underwater world of Bali! Every year from July to November, Bali receives great influx of enthusiastic divers who just cannot wait to meet this weird ocean giant! ’Tis the great Mola Mola season in Bali; the time when the sunfish swim up to the shallower water. So, what can you do to maximise your experience in this extraordinary encounter?
Know Well That You’re In for Mola Mola Season in Bali
On this Mola Mola season in Bali, you will be in for quite a competition. Hundreds of curious divers are coming in everyday to satisfy their curiosity on this elusive animal. That means competition in the best spot and time to see the Mola everyday. You might be grouped with other 5 divers or so on one trip to see the Mola Mola. The time you have won’t be too long. On a busy day, you might only get 15 – 30 minutes to see the Mola Mola before getting replaced by other team of divers.
Maintain Your Distance
Just like any other animal living in the wild, sharing tight enclosure with human can cause distress to the Mola Mola. The minimum distance between human and Mola Mola to keep them feel safe is 3 meters at a cleaning station. This is the time when a Mola enters a deep relaxation state, as it get pampered by the cleaning fishes. When a Mola is unsettling or on the move, you should maintain at least 10m distance.
Also, never get attempted to touch or feed the Mola. This can be dangerous to the animal.
DO NOT Use Flash to Photograph Them
Unless you want to scare the animal away, please restrain to use flash to photograph the Mola. You only have limited time with them anyway, so don’t prematurely end the precious Mola visitation.
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Gently Approach the Mola Mola from Your Side
Anyone could tell the difference on a wild photography photo where the animal is calm and showing its best nature and when the animal is cornered and panicked. Do not be those intrusive photographer, especially when a Mola is modelling for you. This ocean behemoths are actually very shy! It would flee in panic when someone is getting too close—It think you are going to attack them. Never go directly on a Mola’s path or swim beneath their body; your air bubbles would floats directly to it. Also, never swim behind it as this would scare a Mola. Instead, try to gently approach the Mola from its side, keeping a respectful distance while getting a camera ready. Eventually, the Mola will get used to you and it will slow down. Now it’s the right time to take your best wildlife documentary.
Take your opportunity wisely. You might not get another chance to meet with this wonderful creature out of the Mola Mola season in Bali.
Stay for A Few Days During the Mola Mola Season
Do you really wish to leave soon right after your first Mola Mola encounter? The Mola Mola season in Bali only last just for few months a year. Take a liberty to stay for more days and get second or third dives with this wonderful giant!