A jaw-dropping video filmed off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, captures the sheer scale of one of the ocean’s most extraordinary creatures: the ocean sunfish. In the footage, a diver appears almost toy-like beside the colossal fish, offering a rare and humbling glimpse into the underwater world.
The moment was captured by sea-diving tour operator Luis Miguel Gutierres Bringas, who described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The World’s Heaviest Bony Fish
Despite their immense size, sunfish are harmless filter feeders, known for their calm, slow movements and a diet primarily consisting of jellyfish.
A Rare and Remarkable Sighting
“Finding a sunfish in its natural habitat is a privilege that few get to experience,” said Gutierres Bringas in a statement to Storyful. “We were lucky enough to swim with him, observe its behavior, and learn more about these amazing animals.”
Typically found in tropical and temperate waters, sunfish are considered slow and somewhat awkward swimmers. Unlike most bony fish, they lack a gas-filled swim bladder to control buoyancy. While once believed to simply drift with ocean currents, scientists in Southern California have recorded them swimming at speeds of up to two miles per hour, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
More Than Just a Viral Video
While the video has quickly gone viral, marine experts stress that such encounters present vital opportunities for education and conservation. Ocean sunfish face threats from boat strikes, ocean pollution, and plastic ingestion—especially mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish, which can clog their digestive system and lead to starvation.
According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, even casual actions—like properly disposing of plastic—can have life-saving impacts on marine species like the sunfish.
Tour operators like Gutierres Bringas play an increasingly important role in ocean conservation by offering responsible wildlife experiences while raising public awareness. The ocean sunfish is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
A Moment to Remember
For the diver, the encounter was a striking reminder of the ocean’s scale and mystery. And for viewers on land, it’s a chance to marvel at a creature that’s rarely seen up close—let alone alongside a human for scale.
As Gutierres Bringas put it: “It’s something I’ll never forget.”
