There are some encounters worth traveling halfway around the world for. Swimming with whale sharks is undoubtedly one of them. Saleh Bay, on the island of Sumbawa, is home to the largest fish on Earth—reaching up to ten meters in length—and offers one of the best opportunities to observe them in their natural habitat. Despite their enormous size, whale sharks feed exclusively on plankton and are completely harmless to humans.
Your adventure begins before sunrise. A small boat will take you into the open waters of the bay, where you will arrive just as the first rays of sunlight reveal these gentle giants beneath the surface. Watching an enormous spotted silhouette slowly emerge from the depths and glide effortlessly just a few meters away feels almost unreal—as though you had stepped into the scene of a nature documentary. No previous experience is required—basic swimming skills are enough, and all the necessary equipment is provided.
This journey is built around a single extraordinary encounter unlike any other. Sharing the water with the world's largest fish is a privilege that only a handful of places on Earth can offer.
01:00 — You will be picked up by a representative of Sumbawa Snorkeling from your hotel in the Sumbawa Besar area of the city and you will go to the village of Labuan Jambu where the snorkeling tour will begin
03:00 — From Labuan Jambu village you will start on a traditional boat to Saleh Bay, where whale sharks come
05:30 — You get on the boat and get ready for snorkeling. Whale sharks come to these places to find plankton after fishermen lift fishing nets.
06:30-08:00 — Snorkeling time with whale sharks and a small snack on the boat
08:00 — Return to Labuan Jambu Village
10:00 — A short rest in the village of Labuan Jambu and return to the city of Sumbawa Besar
11:00 — Optional lunch stop in Lampang
13:00 — Approximate time of return to Sumbawa Besar and transfer to your hotel
In accordance with clause 7.3 of the user agreement, MyBaliTrips.com cannot be held responsible for the presence of whale sharks during snorkeling. It is important to remember that the whale shark is a wild and free creature. They choose their own paths and timing, so every encounter is a matter of luck and a true gift from nature, rather than a guaranteed part of the itinerary.
lunch is not included in this program, but we will stop at a local restaurant on the way to the city of Sumbawa Besar
The tour with diving to the whale sharks was a real adventure! Thanks to the organizers for providing convenient transport and assistance at every stage. Although lunch was not included, the stop at a local restaurant was a pleasant surprise. I recommend this tour to everyone on the island of Sumbawa!
Great tour! Swimming with whale sharks is an incredible experience! The guide did a fantastic job explaining things and ensuring our safety. I would go again.
We arrived at the boat in Labuan Jambu right on time, and the start of the tour itself was impressive. Swimming with whale sharks was extremely fun, but unfortunately, the weather turned bad towards the end of the tour.
sunscreen with high SPF
easy change of clothes
swimsuit/ swimming trunks / shorts
hat
it is recommended to take breakfast with you from the hotel
for people with average physical abilities
if necessary, it is recommended to drink pills against motion sickness
for children over the age of 6
refunds are processed with a 10% deduction if the cancellation is made by the client at least 48 hours before the event or with an official hospital document.
refunds are based on the exchange rate set by the Bank of Indonesia on the payment date.
full refunds are provided if the provider is unable to deliver the service fully.
refund requests are reviewed within 5 business days of the request date.
refunds are issued within 5 banking days from the agreement of the refund decision.
Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice Awards 2025Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice Awards 2025
Secure payments via Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal
