I dove with a sunfish for the first time 🤩
Encountering a sunfish, or mola mola, was one of the most surreal diving experiences I’ve ever had. These fascinating creatures develop their truncated, bullet-like shape because the back fin they are born with never grows. Instead, it folds into itself as the enormous creature matures, creating a rounded rudder called a clavus. The name "mola" means "millstone" in Latin, describing the ocean sunfish’s somewhat circular shape.
Sunfish are a silvery color and have a rough skin texture. They are frequently seen basking in the sun near the surface, often mistaken for sharks when their huge dorsal fins emerge above the water. Their teeth are fused into a beak-like structure, and they are unable to fully close their relatively small mouths.
Diving with a mola mola in California was an incredible experience. Watching this massive yet gentle creature glide through the water was mesmerizing. They move with a unique grace, despite their size and unusual shape. Seeing one up close allowed me to appreciate their distinctive features and behavior in a way that photos and videos can’t capture.
This dive was a reminder of the incredible diversity of marine life and the unexpected encounters that make diving such an exciting and rewarding activity. If you ever get the chance to dive with a sunfish, don’t miss it – it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
