Good news for Sunny Garcia ... the surf legend is making real progress in his recovery -- even saying a few words -- after nearly dying following a suicide attempt in Oregon back in April.
The 49-year-old, whose battled depression, was hospitalized in ICU after the incident ... and there were times it didn't look good. Back in July, he underwent surgery after a bout with pneumonia.
Now, the Hawaiian native -- who came up with stars like Kelly Slater and Jamie O'Brien -- is continuing to fight ... and his daughter is reporting the "little triumphs" he's making in his recovery.