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Sumbawa Whale Shark Tour — Swim with Giants in Saleh Bay

Duration

2 Days

Tour type

Private tour

Category

Nature

Provider

Sumbawa Holiday

LanguageEnglish, Indonesian

Overview

Sumbawa lies near Lombok, about an hour and a half by flight from Bali. Surfers know it for its waves and the relative absence of crowds. Beyond the breaks, the island offers something rarer: the chance to swim alongside whale sharks at sunrise in the calm waters of Saleh Bay.

These gentle giants live up to 100–150 years and feed on plankton, small fish, and crustaceans. They are an endangered species and entirely harmless to humans. Despite their size, whale sharks move slowly and can be observed from just a few meters away. No scuba certification needed — snorkeling at the surface is enough.

Add Moyo Island · +1 day (optional)
For travelers who want more than the whale shark encounter, the tour can extend with a day on Moyo Island. A mototaxi ride through dense jungle leads to Mata Jitu Waterfalls — turquoise pools cascading through thick tropical forest. The day continues at the white-sand beaches of Takat Sagele and ends at an oceanfront villa, with no other guests in sight.

Choose the standard tour for the whale shark experience, or extend with Moyo for a deeper look at Sumbawa beyond its main attraction.

Choose your tour:

  • Snorkeling with Whale Sharks · 2 days / 2 nights
  • Whale Sharks & Moyo Island · 3 days / 2 nights

Season:

  • April – December – the best time to visit;
  • January – March – possible to visit, but with low chances of seeing whale sharks.

We offer hotel:

Important information

  • Booking with full payment
  • For children over 6 years old
  • Suitable for any fitness level
  • If necessary, we recommend taking motion sickness tablets
  • We do not recommend planning trips to other islands if your departure from Bali is in less than two days
  • BaliSoulTrips.com is not responsible for the presence of whale sharks during snorkeling — please remember that this is the wild, and their appearance is highly unpredictable. To increase your chances, plan your visit according to the season.
  • In case of strong waves in the snorkeling area, the company reserves the right to change the location for your safety.
  • We act as a booking service and intermediary between the client and the provider offering services in Indonesia.
  • In rare cases of overbooking or unforeseen circumstances, the provider reserves the right to replace the booked hotel with another of the same category and price.
  • We guarantee transparent public prices and conditions with no hidden fees.
  • We carefully select the best providers and continuously work on improving our service.

Tour Plan

Bring With You
  • Sunscreen with high protection
  • Light change of clothes
  • Swimsuit / swimming trunks / shorts
  • Hat
  • Headlamp
Day 1 — Arrival in Sumbawa

10:30 – Your driver will meet you at Sultan Kaharuddin Airport (SWQ), Sumbawa Besar. After a brief introduction, you will head toward the eastern coast of the island.

11:00 – Lunch in the town of Sumbawa Besar. You’ll have the opportunity to taste local cuisine in one of the trusted cafés.

13:00 – Transfer to the village of Labuan Jambu. The drive takes about 2 hours, offering scenic views of hills, rice fields, and the coastline along the way.

16:00 – Check-in at Villa Beach Transit 2 Hotel, located near the pier. Here you can relax and rest after the journey.

19:00 – Free time. You may have dinner at the hotel if you wish — they offer simple local dishes made from fresh seafood and rice.

Day 2 – Snorkeling with Whale Sharks

04:00 — Early departure from the hotel. Your driver will pick you up and take you to the pier.

04:10 — Boarding the speedboat and departure to the whale shark encounter point near Sumbawa.

05:30 — Arrival at Whale Shark Point. At this time of day, during sunrise, the chances of meeting these gentle giants are especially high. You will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel with whale sharks, observing their graceful movements in the crystal-clear water.

08:00 — A light breakfast will be served on board: fresh fruits, bread, tea, and coffee.

08:30 — Departure back to the shore.

10:00 — Arrival at Labuan Jambu Harbor, followed by a return to the hotel to shower and pack.

11:00 — Check-out from the hotel and transfer back to Sumbawa Besar (travel time – approximately 2 hours).

12:30 — Optional stop for lunch (at an additional cost).

14:00 — Check-in at your pre-selected hotel. Here you can relax in comfortable surroundings, unwind in the lounge area, or rest on the veranda.

17:00 — Optionally, you can enjoy the sunset from the rooftop of Akaya Bar, which offers a stunning view of the city and mountains.

Day 3 – End of the Journey

After breakfast — free time. At the scheduled time, your driver will arrive at the hotel and take you to Sultan Kaharuddin Airport (SWQ) according to your flight schedule.

Included/Excluded

  • Transfer according to the program
  • Snorkeling
  • 1 night at Hotel Villa Beach Transit before snorkeling
  • 1 night at the selected hotel before departure
  • Light breakfast on the boat
  • Licensed English-speaking guide
  • GoPro rental
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Airplane tickets
  • Insurance (personal travel insurance or funds for medical services in case of necessity are recommended)
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Tips are not required, but are always appreciated (optional)

Cancellation Policy

For the Tour
For the Hotel

Customer Reviews

5.0 Rating
1-1 of 1 review
  1. I recommend it, magnificent creatures!))

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Price List
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350 
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Guests

1

Adults

350 

Services

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