A boat tour company must have felt very privileged to come across this rare creature while they were out in Devon waters – and plenty said they were jealous of the encounter
Sophie Roberts Head of Social Newsdesk
11:05, 01 Jul 2026
UK waters are vibrant and buzzing with life at this time of year(Image: Getty)
The coastal waters surrounding Plymouth and the wider Devon region are a hidden treasure trove of marine biodiversity, offering some of the most vibrant and unexpected wildlife encounters in the UK.
Supported by dense seagrass meadows, nutrient-rich currents, and sheltered bays, this stretch of the English Channel is far more than just a home for our familiar grey seals and playful dolphins – it acts as a bustling highway for seasonal sea wanderers that you may not expect to see.
Just last month, onlookers were stunned by the rare appearance of a porbeagle shark. This robust, critically endangered relative of the great white is usually an elusive, fast-moving offshore predator, making its coastal cameo an incredibly lucky and privileged find.
And now, nature has delivered yet another marvel. Boat trippers exploring the Devon coastline have just reported a close encounter with an ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Known for its bizarre, flattened, “swimming head” appearance and prominent dorsal fin, this gentle giant is the heaviest bony fish in the world. They occasionally ride warming summer currents into our waters to bask at the surface and feast on jellyfish.
Sharing the amazing encounter on Instagram, tour boat company Plymouth Marine Safari said: “This last week we have been seeing more sunfish than ever in Plymouth waters. We have spotted more than 10+ in this last week, but the tricky part is if we stop to watch them as soon as they get near the boat, they love to disappear.
“Here’s a short video of one that stuck around long enough for skipper Kev to get a quick video! Let’s see how many we can see this week.”
The post garnered more than 700 likes – and many wished they had been on the boat trip to experience the exciting encounter firsthand.
One wrote: “So so jel.” Another said: “Would love to see one!” And a third simply gushed: “Wow!”
Ocean sunfish come up to the surface to bask in the sunshine(Image: Getty Images/Flickr RF)
If seeing an ocean sunfish is on your bucket list, you’re in luck. They are more commonly spotted in Devon between June and September when the ocean is at its warmest.
While they were historically considered a very rare sight in the UK, sightings have become increasingly regular in recent years due to slowly warming sea temperatures.
If you’re lucky, you may see them on boat trips at this time of year. They enjoy “basking” flat on their sides at the water’s surface to soak up the sun before diving deep into cooler waters to hunt.
Don’t be disappointed if sunfish don’t appear because there is plenty more marine life to marvel at. It’s possible to see dolphins, whales, seals and even turtles during the summer season.
Basking sharks, seahorses, crabs and puffins are other creatures to keep an eye out for. You’ll be feeling like David Attenborough in no time!