Explore the Tambora Sea
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Whale Shark in Sumbawa, Indonesia.
Whale shark Sumbawa, Indonesia. The presence of whale sharks is an extraordinary natural tourist attraction, and is often used for marine tourism activities such as snorkeling or simply watching from the boat.
They are explorer fish that have quite extensive migration patterns. They usually move following ocean currents, water temperatures, and especially the availability of food such as plankton, small fish, or fish eggs.
In Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), there is the presence of whale sharks that attract attention, especially in the waters of Saleh Bay. These whale sharks usually appear around the area, especially at certain times of the year, when water conditions are favorable, such as abundant plankton—their main food.
Waters such as Saleh Bay in Sumbawa are known to have favorable conditions, such as nutrient-rich waters and high biological productivity. This makes whale sharks tend to stop by there often, even though they do not settle.
To ensure that whale sharks continue to make Sumbawa one of their “stopover homes”, it is important for us to maintain the marine ecosystem there, reducing destructive activities such as overfishing, marine pollution, or direct interference from humans.
Interesting facts about whale sharks that you can find in Sumbawa waters, especially in Saleh Bay
• Friendly and Long-Lived Sea Giants
Despite their enormous size (they can grow to 12-18 meters in length!), whale sharks are actually harmless to humans. They are filter feeders, feeding on plankton, fish eggs, and small crustaceans.
Whale sharks in Saleh Bay are often seen swimming slowly near the surface, allowing tourists to observe them quite easily. However, it is important to keep your distance so as not to disturb them.
Whale sharks have a slow growth rate, around 20-30 cm per year. One of the reasons for their long life is that whale sharks take a long time to reach adulthood, around 25-30 years. The lifespan of whale sharks is estimated to reach 70-100 years and the whale sharks that are often seen in Indonesia are generally young whale sarks with a body length of around 4-10 meters.
• Unique Patterns on Their Bodies
Each whale shark has a unique pattern of white spots, similar to human fingerprints. This pattern is used by researchers to identify individual whale sharks and study their behavior
The whale shark’s skin is one of the thickest in the animal world, reaching up to 10 cm thick! This skin protects them from predators.
• Global Migratory Creatures and the Impact of Mariculture on Whale Sharks
The whale sharks in Sumbawa are most likely part of a population that migrates across the Indian Ocean. They often “stop over” in Indonesian waters because they are rich in food sources.
One of the reasons whale sharks are often seen in Saleh Bay is the presence of floating net cages (KJA) in the area. These cages are used to cultivate fish such as grouper and milkfish, which produce leftover fish food and attract large amounts of plankton. This creates an abundant food source, attracting whale sharks to come closer.
• Protection in Indonesia
Whale sharks are protected in Indonesia through the Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 18 of 2013. This regulation prohibits the capture, trade, or actions that endanger whale sharks, making Indonesia one of the countries that is serious about preserving this species.
Your guide to Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, to see whale sharks
1. Way to Sumbawa Island
From Lombok:
Airplane: You can fly from Lombok International Airport (LIA) to Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport in Sumbawa Besar. The flight usually takes about 30 minutes.
Ferry and Bus: From Kayangan Port (East Lombok), take a ferry to Poto Tano Port in Sumbawa. The ferry ride takes about 1.5-2 hours. After that, continue by bus or motorcycle taxi to Sumbawa Besar city.
- Another easy way from lombok by komodo boat tour: you can join the open trip komdo tour from Lombok, you will be taken directly using a boat tour to Whale shark point on the 2nd day and continue the journey to the national park, Komodo Flores.
From Bali:
Airplane: There are flights from Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali to Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport in Sumbawa Besar, although the schedule is not every day.
Land and Sea Route: Take a bus or vehicle from Bali to Lombok, then continue the route as above (ferry + bus).
2. To Saleh Bay, where whale sharks point
From Sumbawa Besar city, you can rent a vehicle (motorcycle or car) or take local transportation to the Saleh Bay area. The distance is about 2-3 hours depending on the location of the departure point (such as Labuan Jambu or Kwangko Village, which are often popular places to start the tour).
3. Whale Shark Tour
Local operators usually offer the opportunity for you to see and swim around whale sharks. One of them is the 4D / 3N Komodo trip from Lombok, this tour offers an interesting itinerary to see whale sharks on the 2nd day of their itinerary.
- Cost: Tour prices can vary, depending on the number of participants and the facilities provided. For solo travelers, you can join another tour group to save money
Tips For Solo Travelers
Prepare Accommodation: Around Saleh Bay or Sumbawa Besar city, there are several simple inns. You can also stay at homestays in fishing villages for a more authentic experience.
Bring Snorkeling Gear: If you want to snorkel near whale sharks, make sure to bring your own gear or rent it from a tour operator.
Be Safety Mindful: Keep a safe distance from whale sharks, do not touch them, and follow the directions of your guide for a safe and eco-friendly experience.
Local Transportation: If you don’t rent a vehicle, local motorcycle taxis or rental vehicles can be an alternative for mobility.
We recommend you to join the open trip komodo boat tour from lombok, besides you can join the tour starting from only 1 person. You can also get a tour to the island of flores also to komodo national park to see the beauty of the island there and the komodo dragon whose habitat is only there.
Best Season to See Whale Sharks in Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
The best season to see them is usually when plankton is abundant, which often occurs during the change of seasons or certain seasons (usually between April to October in some locations in Indonesia). However, bad weather conditions such as heavy rain or big waves can reduce the chances of seeing them, because they tend to swim deeper.
The number of whale sharks that appear on the surface in waters such as Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, is highly dependent on several factors, including weather, season, and food availability. Usually, if the weather conditions are stable (such as calm seas, warm water temperatures, and not too strong winds), the chances of seeing more whale sharks will increase.
In general, reports from tourists or tour operators in the area indicate that the number of whale sharks seen can vary, from only 1-2 to more than 10 at one time. However, this is not a definite number, because whale sharks are wild creatures whose movement patterns are difficult to predict.
Whale sharks tend to be more active on the surface in the morning, so it is advisable to start your trip at dawn for those of you who want to get watching experience whale sharks sumbawa.
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