Whale Shark in Sumbawa : Opportunities to See and Swim
Opportunities to See and Swim with Sumbawa Whale Sharks in Saleh bay
Opportunities to Encounter, Spot & Swim with Whale Sharks in Sumbawa Saleh Bay
Teluk Saleh, with its unique biogeography and rich ecosystem, serves as a vital feeding ground for whale sharks. The shallow depths and abundant marine life provide an ideal habitat, while the daily activities of local fishermen play a crucial role in attracting these gentle giants to the surface. During the early morning hours, whale sharks often rise to feed on the easy pickings left by hundreds of “Bagan” fishing boats operating overnight. This interaction highlights the ecosystem’s importance in sustaining the whale shark population.
From a tourism perspective, the main question for visitors is whether they’ll have the chance to see these magnificent creatures. However, guaranteeing a 100% success rate in spotting whale sharks is unrealistic. This type of tourism involves visiting their natural habitat in the open sea, where conditions are unpredictable, and sightings depend on various natural factors. While Teluk Saleh offers one of the best opportunities, there is always a possibility of not encountering a whale shark, making each sighting a special and unpredictable experience.
Local Operator and some fact about Whale Shark Encounters
We take pride in providing tours sumbawa that allow visitors to spot and swim with whale sharks. With strong coordination among local fishermen and individuals at sea, we continuously gather reliable information about whale shark in sumbawa sightings. This collaborative effort ensures the best chance of experiencing these magnificent creatures up close.
Whale Shark Tour Package in Sumbawa
Here are some fascinating facts about whale sharks:
- They are capable of diving to depths of over 1,200 meters.
- Whale sharks migrate and explore vast oceans, traveling in groups to coastal areas around the globe to feed seasonally.
- They primarily consume plankton and small crustaceans by filtering large volumes of water.
Despite their massive size, whale sharks are known for their gentle and non-aggressive behavior. They are often curious and enjoy approaching swimmers, making them a safe and fascinating species to interact with in their natural habitat.
Joining our tour offers not just an adventure but also a deeper understanding of the unique ecosystem that sustains these gentle giants.
Behavior during tourism: This fish can exhibit various behaviors during visits, such as diving and approaching slowly, suddenly moving away, or sharply retreating and not responding. These behaviors are not aggressive, as they are natural to the species. As visitors wishing to see or even swim with these gentle giants, the safe distance recommended by conservationists or tourism experts should be maintained during interactions, both from the human side and the whale shark side.
Why is Saleh Bay a preferred & ideal stop for Whale Sharks?
A study conducted by Conservation Indonesia on the population of whale sharks in Sumbawa in this area reveals that Saleh Bay, with its shallow waters, is an important habitat for the life cycle of these fish. It serves as a feeding ground, a nursery for juvenile whale sharks, a migration route, and an aggregation site throughout the year.
Behavior of Whale Sharks in Saleh Bay
Whale sharks in Sumbawa Saleh Bay can be found year-round. In fact, 40 percent of the population structure is dominated by young individuals. The population in Saleh Bay has been identified as the second-largest population of whale sharks in Indonesia, with 110 individuals recorded in 2022, after the population in Cendrawasih Bay in West Papua.
A study conducted by Conservation Indonesia on the whale shark population in this area reveals that Saleh Bay, with its shallow waters, is a crucial habitat for the life cycle of these creatures. It serves as a feeding ground, a nursery for juvenile whale sharks, a migration route, and an aggregation site throughout the year.
Biodiversity of Sumbawa Saleh Bay
The Conservation Team has revealed the high biodiversity of coral reef fish in Saleh Bay, with 560 species observed, some of which may potentially be new species. The unique biogeography of Saleh Bay, as a semi-enclosed bay, makes it a home for fish species that have not been previously described. Additionally, mesophotic coral reefs at depths greater than 30 meters have also been discovered. These findings highlight the importance of this ecosystem as a refuge for marine life from local and global threats, including rising sea temperatures. However, the mesophotic coral reef ecosystem remains largely unexplored to date.
Findings on Whale Shark Behavior in Sumbawa
Through the use of the Baited Remote Underwater Video System (BRUVS), operated for 3,600 minutes of observation, researchers found only a few predators in the area, including blacktip reef sharks, bluespotted ribbontail rays, giant moray eels, and spotted moray eels (Gymnothorax isingteena). The spotted moray eel was a new discovery, as it was previously only found in areas from Japan to northern Australia. In general, few large fish were observed, although some grouper and snapper were still seen. This suggests overfishing of coral fish in Saleh Bay (Link 3).
Using this technology and acoustic surveys, it was found that whale sharks in Saleh Bay actively chase food at depths of 20–100 meters. This behavior indicates that they are still feeding naturally, despite the fishing activities occurring on the surface.
