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- Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Sumbawa Whale Shark Tour — Swim with Giants in Saleh Bay
Duration
3 Days / 2 Nights
Tour type
Private/Group tour
Category
Nature
Provider
Sumbawa Snorkeling
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.
The tour takes 3 days and 2 nights: airport pick-up and the first hotel night in Sumbawa, whale sharks at sunrise on day 2, a second hotel night and check-out on day 3. You choose group or private snorkeling and one of three hotel pairs.
Season:
- April – December – the best time to visit;
- January – March – possible to visit, but with low chances of seeing whale sharks.
Hotels:
- Night 1 — Hotel Villa Beach Transit 2 (Google Maps)
- Night 2 — choose one:
- Kaloka Airport Hotel 3* (Google Maps)
- Grand Samota Hotel 3* (Google Maps)
- Samawa Seaside Resort 3* (Google Maps)
Important information
- Booking with full payment
- Children from 6 years old join as adults at the adult price; children under 6 are not accepted
- Group or private snorkeling: 1–5 guests; for 6 or more guests — ask the manager
- Hotel nights: the pair of hotels you select; rooms — Standard at Villa Beach Transit 2 and Samawa Seaside Resort, Superior at Kaloka Airport Hotel (with breakfast) and Grand Samota Hotel
- Schedule times are indicative and depend on the boat and weather
- 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.
- Online booking is available for dates up to 31.12.2027; for later dates, please contact the manager.
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 — Airport pick-up: the driver meets you at Sultan Kaharuddin Airport (SWQ), Sumbawa Besar.
11:30 — Lunch stop in Plampang (lunch is paid separately).
13:30 — Check-in at Hotel Villa Beach Transit 2 (night 1). Free time to rest — the trip out to sea starts before dawn.
Day 2
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks
04:00 — Departure to the boat.
06:00 — Snorkeling with whale sharks in Saleh Bay. Dawn is the best time to be in the water alongside these gentle giants. Tea and coffee are served on the boat.
10:00 — Shower and a light breakfast.
13:00 — Arrival in Sumbawa Besar and check-in at the second hotel of your pair (night 2): Kaloka Airport Hotel, Grand Samota Hotel or Samawa Seaside Resort.
Please note: the times shown are indicative and depend on the boat and weather.
Day 3
Departure
Check-out from the hotel. The transfer to the airport is not included in the package — on request, ask the manager.
Included/Excluded
- Snorkeling with whale sharks — group or private (1–5 guests), as selected in the form
- English-speaking guide
- Snorkeling equipment
- Air-conditioned car with driver
- Airport pick-up on day 1
- Return boat transfer
- 2 nights in hotels: night 1 — Hotel Villa Beach Transit 2, night 2 — the hotel of the selected pair (Kaloka Airport Hotel — with breakfast)
- Light breakfast: bread, boiled egg, chocolate bar, cup noodles, tea and coffee
- Tea and coffee on the boat
- Bottled water
- Entrance and conservation fees
- Bagan platform retribution
- Life vests
- Boat mattress
- Toilet on board
- GoPro or underwater camera
- Flight tickets
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal expenses
- Insurance (personal travel insurance or sufficient funds for emergency medical expenses are recommended)
- Airport transfer on day 3 — on request, ask the manager
- Transparent canoe (on request) — 1 000 000 IDR per person
- Drone (on request) — 900 000 IDR per drone
- Private cameraman (on request) — 650 000 IDR per booking (1–3 guests)
- Tips (optional)
Cancellation Policy
➣
For the Tour
- Cancellation more than 48 hours before the tour — no penalty.
- Cancellation less than 48 hours before the tour or at the last minute — 100% of the tour cost.
- If you decide to cancel the tour after it has started (due to feeling unwell or for any other reason), no refund is possible.
- Refunds are made according to the exchange rate set by the Bank of Indonesia on the day of payment.
- A full refund is provided if the service cannot be fully delivered by the provider.
- The processing time for refund requests is up to 5 days, and the refund will be issued within 10 days from the date of request.
➣
For the Hotel
- Kaloka Airport Hotel — free cancellation until 72 hours before arrival.
- Grand Samota Hotel — free cancellation until 3 days before arrival.
- Samawa Seaside Resort — free cancellation until 15 days before arrival; no-show — 2 nights are charged.
- Hotel Villa Beach Transit 2 — on request, confirmed at booking.
➣
If you Reschedule
- Rescheduling is possible no later than 48 hours before the tour, depending on conditions and availability.
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Sumbawa Whale Shark Tour — Swim with Giants in Saleh Bay
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From
3 450 000 Rp
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All prices listed on the website in other currencies are provided for reference only.
In accordance with Indonesian law, all payments are made exclusively in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
- © 2026 PT Bali Soul Trips. All Rights Reserved.
I recommend it, magnificent creatures!))