Ocean Sunfish
Mola mola
Sighting evidence at Vicente Roca Point, Isabela Island
Photo: Randy Puckett · CC BY-NC
Ocean sunfish visit Vicente Roca Point in significant numbers during the cold garúa season (June to November) when Cromwell Current upwellings create the cold thermocline they prefer. Divers regularly encounter multiple Mola mola in a single dive, sometimes being approached by individuals seeking cleaning services from the small wrasses associated with the reef. At up to 2,000 kilograms, an encounter with a sunfish at close range in the blue water here is among the most surreal experiences in Galapagos diving.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Ocean Sunfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.