Sumbawa Adventour specializes in offering unique experiences with sumbawa whale sharks in Saleh Bay
The presence of whalesharks sumbawa in Saleh Bay has been observed for many years. Their natural appearance in this bay is largely due to the regular activities of local fishermen from Sumbawa Island, who work & fishing in the area year-round.
Welcome to Sumbawa Adventour!, we specialize in offering Sumbawa Whale Shark Tours in the Saleh Bay area. Here, you’ll have the unique opportunity to encounter the world’s largest fish – the whale shark. These gentle giants are harmless and easily identifiable by their distinct patterns. Moreover, they are commonly found in the warm tropical waters of Sumbawa, particularly in Saleh Bay, near Mount Tambora, and southeast of Moyo Island.
Dive into the stunning underwater world, with its crystal-clear waters and unforgettable experiences, with all our experienced team ensures your safety and enjoyment.
Book your spot Now for an unforgettable whale shark snorkeling adventure in Sumbawa’s aquatic paradise!
Whale sharks in Sumbawa tend to school in this area, especially when fishing nets are raised. During these times, plankton, their primary food source, becomes abundant. Consequently, this creates the perfect opportunity for you to swim and dive with these magnificent creatures, whaleshark in sumbawa!.
In addition to the Whale Shark Sumbawa Tours, we offer a variety of other exciting tour packages on Sumbawa Island. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, Sumbawa has something for everyone. Some popular choice is the Sumbawa Adventour, offering flexible 3-day 2-night or 4-day 3-night packages. These tours are perfect for experiencing the best of Sumbawa in a short time. From pristine beaches to rich cultural sites, these trips ensure you get the most out of your visit.
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Sumbawa Whale Sharks : Discover the Magical experience to encounter, Located in the beautiful Saleh Bay, Whale Sharks in Sumbawa offer an unforgettable experience for underwater adventurers.
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 in sumbawa, a migration route, and an aggregation site throughout the year.
Swim alongside these gentle giants in crystal-clear waters and enjoy the stunning beauty of Sumbawa’s marine life. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a first-time snorkeler, lets know & plan the ultimate whale shark Sumbawa FAQ with our guiding complete below!.
Traveling to Sumbawa Besar
Sumbawa is part of the West Nusa Tenggara Province, situated between Lombok and Flores. Here’s how you can get to Sumbawa:
By air : Fly directly to Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport in Sumbawa Besar (airport code : SWQ). there are two times regular daily flight to Sumbawa on daily basis.
By sea and land: From Lombok, you can take a ferry from Kayangan Port (East Lombok) to Poto Tano Port 2-3 hours (West Sumbawa), and then drive for about 2-3 hours to reach Sumbawa Besar.
From Sumbawa Besar to Labuan Jambu Village
Once you arrive in Sumbawa Besar, it’s a 3-hour drive to Labuan Jambu Village. This coastal village is home to many fishermen and is the starting point for most whalesharks tours. If you are want to look a more authentic experience, staying at local fishermen wooden traditional house will give you a more experience. For further travel arrangements, you can contact the local tourism group or the Labuan Jambu Village Office.
Labuan Jambu to Saleh Bay
From Labuan Jambu, take a traditional fishing boat (Begoq) to Saleh Bay—about a 2-hour journey. Whale sharks are typically spotted early in the morning, so it’s advisable to depart around 4:00 AM for the best chances. Hiring a local guide is essential to navigate the right fishing platforms (bagan) where whale sharks frequently appear
Whale sharks are present in Saleh Bay year-round, but the best time to visit is between April and November. During these months, the water is calmer, clearer, and perfect for snorkeling or diving. This is also when plankton and small fish—primary food sources for the whale sharks are most abundant.
Whale Sharks are a Protected Species: Strict Guidelines for Safe Interaction
When interacting with this Creatures in Sumbawa, it’s crucial to follow the established safety guidelines to ensure both your safety and the protection of these majestic creatures. Here are the key rules you must adhere to:
Do Not Touch the Whale Sharks ! : Their sharp placoid scales can cause injury, and touching them is harmful to both humans and the whale sharks.
Maintain a Distance of at Least 3 Meters: Whale sharks have powerful tail fins, and getting too close can pose a risk. Always keep a safe distance to avoid being struck by their tail.
Turn Off Your Camera Flash: Bright camera flashes can disturb the whale sharks and lead to unpredictable behavior. Always turn off your camera flash to ensure the animals are not stressed.
Mandatory to Follow the Guide’s Instructions: Local guides are experts in whale shark interactions. Following their instructions is essential for the safety of both visitors and the whale sharks.
By following these guidelines, you not only protect yourself but also contribute to the conservation of whale sharks in Sumbawa, ensuring these incredible creatures remain safe and thrive in their natural habitat.
Whale Sharks are a Protected Species that recorded These regulations are set out below : Indonesia Ministry of Environment and the ministry of maritime affairs and fisheries.
To make the most out of your whale shark Sumbawa experience, here are a few additional tips:
Why Visit Saleh Bay for Whale Shark Tourism?
Saleh Bay is one of the most popular whale shark destinations in Indonesia. Its vast waters and abundant marine life make it the perfect location for spotting these gentle giants. Whether you’re looking to dive or snorkel, whale shark tourism in Sumbawa offers one of the most extraordinary experiences for nature lovers.
Book Your Sumbawa Whaleshark Tour Today!
Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Book your whaleshark tour in Sumbawa and experience the awe of swimming with these majestic creatures. Create lasting memories and explore the beauty of Saleh Bay—where the world’s largest fish roam freely.
Saleh Bay 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using this technology and acoustic surveys, it was found that whaleshark 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.
In addition, survey results in Saleh Bay show that fish larvae (Ichthyoplankton) and zooplankton, which are the main food sources for whale sharks, are more abundant in the eastern and southern regions of the bay. This area has been proposed as a whale shark conservation zone.
The Conservation Team identified the movement behavior of more than 7 whaleshark chasing fish larvae and zooplankton at depths of 20-100 meters. This finding indicates that whale sharks in Saleh Bay do not only feed at the surface, despite the fishing nets operating, but continue to hunt naturally in the waters of Saleh Bay, both during the day and at night.
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