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Saleh Bay Whale Sharks

Saleh Bay in Sumbawa is a popular hotspot for divers and snorkellers to visit hoping to see the biggest fish in the world – the whale shark.

Diver and feeding whale shark,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Pook and the whale shark, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Saleh Bay is a huge body of water which feels like the open ocean. Deep into the bay are floating fishermen’s platforms, known as bagans, which attract whale sharks hoping for a free meal.

Whale sharks are big. Really big. The whale sharks that visit the bagans are 3 to 4 metres big, typically, and these are only juvenile whale sharks. The adults can reach 12 metres long and the biggest ever recorded whale shark was 18 metres long.

Whale shark,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Several Komodo liveaboards have added Saleh Bay to their Komodo National Park itineraries – look for Sumbawa or Saleh Bay on their trip itineraries). If you check the map, you’ll see it’s quite far outside the usual Komodo dive area so usually involves sailing overnight there and back.

Day boats also come from Bima, Lombok as far as Labuan Bajo for divers and snorkellers to see the whale sharks. You can compare and book whale shark tours online.

Sunlight on a whale shark,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Sunlight on a whale shark, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The whale sharks approach the boats, moving near the surface at what seems a slow pace but is actually way too fast for a human to keep up with.

Whale shark next to fisherman's boat,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark next to fisherman’s boat, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

You can see the size of the whale shark compared to the size of the boat. The local fishermen throw cups of water into the sea as the splashing attracts the whale sharks.

Whale shark filter feeding on the surface,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark filter feeding on the surface, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The whale shark filters water through its huge mouth and out through its gills, hoovering all the plankton and tiny bits of fish bait for its food.

Whale shark under the fishing platform feeding,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark under the fishing platform feeding, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Underneath the fishermen’s floating platform, called a bagan, the whale sharks come in to hoover the fishermen’s nets and the surrounding waters for a free meal.

Whale shark feeding with star markings,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark feeding, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The whale sharks pull in a tremendous amount of water, their gills rippling as they filter the water for food. Each whale shark has its own unique set of markings that looks like stars across the night sky.

Bagan (Fishing Platform) at Kwatisore, Cendrawasih Bay, Indonesia
Bagan (Fishing Platform) at Kwatisore, Cendrawasih Bay, Indonesia, August 2012 © chris@divehappy.com

The bagans stay anchored in place and also have basic shelter for the fishermen to get out of the sun (and rain). The bagan pictured here is from a liveaboard to Cenderawasih Bay, but this is what they look like in Saleh Bay too. There are also bagans in Triton Bay, which is another, very remote, location to see whale sharks.

Whale shark feeding underwater,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark doing the slurp, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

While the whale shark is feeding, it’s not really thinking about anything else. It’s just focused on slurping down as much as water as possible to find its food.

Pook and the feeding whale shark,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Pook and the feeding whale shark, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Divers can carefully approach the whale sharks which are not bothered by humans and are not interested in them as food. Still have to be careful not to get too close.

Whale shark under the dive boat,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark under the dive boat, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The whale sharks simply don’t care about divers because they are much bigger – even the juvenile whale sharks are at least three to four metres long. They simply go their own way and everyone else needs to get out the way or risk being hit by an aquatic freight train.

Two whale sharks feeding,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Two whale sharks feeding, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Whale sharks also don’t hang back when there’s already a whale shark at the platform. We had three together at one point, with two of the whale sharks hanging round together taking turns to feed.

Whale shark approaching,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark approaching, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The sheer size of the whale sharks makes it an awesome experience to see them close. It’s important to stay aware of where they are at all time and to give them space. Touching them is an absolute no-no, and you need to watch out for the movement of their huge tails.

Whale shark silhouette,  Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale shark silhouette, Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, August 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Being able to be in the water with whale sharks is nothing short of spectacular, usually as the whale sharks will circle around the platform and return over and over again to feed, so seeing them is not just a brief fly-by. That said, it’s important to remember no one can guarantee they’ll be there – so while it’s a high probability, it still needs a little bit of luck.

Saleh Bay is not the only whale shark hotspot in Indonesia – see Where To See Whale Sharks In Indonesia for other locations.

Komodo Dive Sites

  • Manta Alley
  • Cannibal Rock
  • Yellow Wall
  • Batu Bolong
  • Pengah Kecil
  • Siaba Besar (Turtle City)
  • Sebayur Kecil
  • Tanjung Batu Besar
  • Saleh Bay Whale Sharks
  • Komodo Dive Sites Overview

Komodo Liveaboard Trip Reports

  • Komodo Liveaboard trip report August 2022 - MSY Damai 2
  • Komodo Liveaboard trip report November 2009 - MSY Damai 1
  • Komodo Liveaboard trip report September 2008 - Indo Siren
  • Komodo Liveaboard trip report December 2006 - Komodo Dancer

Komodo Diving Podcasts

  • Komodo Diving - Underwater Tribe
  • Komodo Diving - Current Junkies

Komodo Dive Site Locations

Divehappy Komodo Dive Sites map

Indonesia Liveaboard Deals

2025 Komodo Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Damai II - 06 Jun 2025 - from €3,898.00 - Komodo (Bima - Labuan Bajo) - 37% OFF - Valid for a limited time only.
  • Indo Master - 19 Jun 2025 - from €2,524.00 - Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo - Labuan Bajo) - 25% OFF - Applies to new bookings made before May 31.
  • Adishree - 12 Jul 2025 - from €1,252.00 - Komodo Liveaboard Diving Adventure (Labuan Bajo - Labuan Bajo) - 25% OFF - Valid for a limited time only.
  • Seahorse - 21 Jul 2025 - from €4,280.00 - Bali - Sumbawa - West Flores (Denpasar - Labuan Bajo) - (20% OFF)
  • Ilike - 20 Aug 2025 - from €2,700.00 - Komodo (Bima - Labuan Bajo) - 25% OFF - Valid for a limited time only.

2025 Cenderawasih Bay Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Damai I - 30 Jun 2025 - from €4,786.00 - Raja Ampat / Cenderawasih Bay (Sorong - Nabire) - 30% OFF - Valid for a limited only.

2025 Raja Ampat Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Raja Ampat Aggressor - 02 Jul 2025 - from €2,440.00 - Derawan Islands (Berau - Berau) - Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)
  • Dancing Wind - 13 Jun 2025 - from €2,804.00 - Central Raja Ampat (Sorong - Sorong) - 25% OFF - Valid for a limited time only.
  • Damai I - 30 Jun 2025 - from €4,786.00 - Raja Ampat / Cenderawasih Bay (Sorong - Nabire) - 30% OFF - Valid for a limited only.
  • Aurora - 02 Jul 2025 - from €2,711.00 - Raja Ampat Central/North (Sorong - Sorong) - 30% OFF - Valid for a limited time only.
  • Raja Ampat Aggressor - 02 Jul 2025 - from €2,571.00 - Derawan Islands (Berau - Berau) - 25% OFF - Travel the World Special!
  • Tambora - 23 Oct 2025 - from €3,212.00 - The Spices Neira (Ambon - Ambon) - Early Bird Deal (30% OFF)
  • Tambora - 23 Dec 2025 - from €4,987.00 - Kaimana - Triton Bay - Misool (Kaimana - Sorong) - Early Bird Deal (30% OFF)

2025 Banda Sea Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Ambai - 05 Nov 2025 - from €4,708.00 - Banda Sea - Triton Bay (Ambon - Kaimana) - (20% OFF)


Diving And Travel Insurance

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities including scuba diving, as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Start Planning Your Indonesia Dive Trip Now!

:: Check the availability and pricing of liveaboards in Indonesia and book online.


:: Find the cheapest flights to Indonesia - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver. You'll typically need to fly into Jakarta and then get a connecting flight to Sorong (SOQ) for Raja Ampat, Labuan Bajo (LBJ) for Komodo, Biak for Cenderawasih Bay (BIK) - but check with your liveaboard operator on optimum flights


:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials for your scuba diving trip with our comprehensive Liveaboard Packing List


:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.


:: Find available places to stay in Indonesia on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too. The Jakarta Airport Hotel, located in Terminal 2, is convenient for a transit stayover.


:: Need inspiration? See our Best Places To Dive In Indonesia for ideas of where to go and what to do.


Dive Happy Podcast Newsletter

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Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Last Minute Liveaboard Deals May 2025

More Indonesia Diving Stories

  • Indonesia Entry Requirements May 2025
  • Where To See Manta Rays In Indonesia
  • Where To See Whale Sharks In Indonesia
  • Komodo Dive Sites Overview
    • Manta Alley, Komodo
    • Cannibal Rock, Komodo
    • Yellow Wall, Komodo
    • Batu Bolong, Komodo
    • Pengah Kecil, Komodo
    • Castle Rock, Komodo
    • Crystal Rock, Komodo
    • Sebayur Kecil, Komodo
    • Siaba Besar, Komodo
    • Tanjung Batu Besar, Komodo
    • Saleh Bay Whale Sharks
  • Gangga Island Diving Trip Report December 2023
  • Menjangan Island Diving November 2023
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard June 2023 Trip Report
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard Deals 2025
  • Diving Raja Ampat – A Quick Guide
  • How To Get To Raja Ampat
  • Raja Ampat Christmas Liveaboard Trip Report December 2022
  • Sorong Airport Guide
  • Komodo Liveaboard Trip Report August 2022
  • Diving The USAT Liberty Shipwreck, Bali June 2022
  • Bali Muck Diving June 2022
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard Trip Report 2020
  • Raja Ampat Liveaboard May 2018 Trip Report
  • Raja Ampat to Triton Bay Liveaboard Trip Report 2017
  • Raja Ampat to the Banda Islands Liveaboard Trip Report
  • Raja Ampat to Triton Bay 2008
  • Diving Triton Bay 2017
  • Triton Bay Whale Sharks
  • Indonesia’s Best Scuba Diving
  • Cenderawasih Bay
  • Bali Scuba Diving
    • Menjangan Island
  • Lembeh
  • Bangka
  • Kalimantan
  • Palau Weh
  • Banda Sea
    • Gunung Api
    • Ambon
    • Nusa Laut
    • Banda Islands
    • Banda Islands Land Tour
    • Manuk
  • Diving Raja Ampat Podcast
  • Diving Bali Podcast
  • Diving Cenderawasih Bay Podcast
  • Diving Triton Bay Podcast
  • Misool Eco Resort Podcast
  • Diving Indonesia

Raja Ampat Liveaboards

  • Budget Raja Ampat Liveaboards 2025
  • Mid-Range Raja Ampat Liveaboards 2025
  • Luxury Raja Ampat Liveaboards 2025

Dive Happy Podcast

  • Tonga Humpback Whales Podcast
  • Tubbataha Reef Diving Podcast
  • The Father Of Palau Diving: Francis Toribiong
  • Sogod Bay Diving Podcast
  • LAMAVE Volunteer Whale Shark Research
  • Dream Job: What’s It Like To Be A Marine Biologist?
  • Dumaguete Diving Podcast
  • Komodo Diving Podcast
  • Diving The Yonaguni Monument, Japan Podcast
  • Diving Koh Lanta Podcast
  • Moalboal Diving Podcast
  • Diving The Banda Sea Podcast: Part 2
  • Diving The Banda Sea Podcast: Part 1
  • Diving Hawaii Podcast
  • Diving Malapascua Podcast
  • Diving Taiwan Podcast
  • Diving Japan Podcast
  • Diving HTMS Chang And Alhambra Rock Podcast
  • Diving The WW2 Shipwrecks Of Coron Podcast
  • Diving Lembongan Podcast
  • Diving Romblon: the Philippines’ Secret Super Macro Paradise
  • Triton Bay Diving 2020 Podcast
  • Dream Job: Liveaboard Cruise Director Podcast
  • Diving Triton Bay Podcast
  • Diving Tubbataha Reef Podcast
  • Diving Yap Podcast
  • Diving Truk Lagoon Podcast
  • Diving Sogod Bay Podcast
  • Misool Eco Resort Podcast
  • Diving Palau Podcast
  • The Manta Rays Of Myanmar’s Black Rock Podcast
  • Diving Myanmar Podcast
  • Diving Bali Podcast
  • Diving Cenderawasih Bay Podcast
  • Diving Komodo Podcast
  • Diving Raja Ampat Podcast
  • Dive Happy Podcast Home Page

My Recent Dive Trips

  • November 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • October 2024: Forgotten Islands and Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • August 2024: Komodo and Saleh Bay liveaboard, Indonesia
  • May 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • April 2024: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • February 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • January 2024:Gangga Island Resort, Indonesia
  • December 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • Mejangan Island, Bali
  • October 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • June 2023: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • April 2023: Maldives liveaboard
  • April 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2022: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • December 2022: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2022: Komodo liveaboard, Indonesia
  • June 2022: USAT Liberty shipwreck, Bali, Indonesia
  • April 2022: Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand
  • March 2022: Manta Rays at Koh Bon, Thailand
  • January 2022: Richelieu Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • March 2021: HTMS Chang and Alahambra Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2020: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2019: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2019: Malapascua, Philippines
  • June 2019: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • April 2019: Tulamben, Bali
  • December 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • December 2018: Anilao, Philippines
  • October 2018: Moalboal, Philippines
  • October 2018: Malapascua, Philippines
  • July 2018: Tulamben, Bali
  • May 2018: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • April 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines

My Less Recent Dive Trips

  • May 2017: Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
  • April 2017: Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
  • April 2017: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • March 2017: Triton Bay, Indonesia
  • March 2017: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • September 2016: Tulamben, Bali at Alba Dive Resort
  • August 2016: Cenderawasih Bay on Damai 1
  • April 2016: Sogod Bay at Sogod Bay Scuba Resort
  • February 2016: Raja Ampat and Banda Islands on Damai 1
  • April 2015: Anilao at Crystal Dive Resort
  • March 2015: Myanmar and Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • May 2013: Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • April 2013: Tubbataha Reef on Discovery Palawan
  • January 2013: Komodo, Indonesia on MSY Damai
  • August 2012: Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
  • April 2012: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • January 2012: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2011: Hanifaru, Maldives
  • June 2011: Tubbataha Liveaboard Hans Christian Andersen
  • April 2011: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • April 2011: Carpe Vita Liveaboard, Maldives
  • March 2011: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
  • December 2010: Menjangan, Bali
  • July 2010: Tofo, Mozambique
  • July 2010: Sardine Run, South Africa
  • May 2010: Sangalaki / Derawan, Tambora
  • March 2010: MV Flying Seahorse, Similan Islands
  • March 2010: MV Orion, Southern Maldives
  • January 2010: Big Blue Explorer, Palau
  • November 2009: MSY Damai, Banda Sea Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MSY Damai, Komodo Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MV Orion, Maldives Liveaboard
  • September 2009: MV Scubanet, Koh Losin, Thailand
  • May 2009: MSY Seahorse, Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • March 2009: Sachika Liveaboard, Maldives
  • February 2009: Daytrips, Koh Lanta, Thailand
  • January 2009: MV Jazz, Burma (Myanmar) Liveaboard

Back In The Day Bragging Rights Dive Trips

  • November 2008: Borneo Explorer, Visayas Liveaboard
  • September 2008: S/Y Siren, Komodo Liveaboard
  • August 2008: Ocean Rover, Sulawesi Liveaboard
  • August 2008: NAD Lembeh Resort, Indonesia
  • June 2008: Koh Tao
  • March 2008: Maldives, Bandos Island
  • February 2008: MSY Seahorse, Raja Ampat Liveaboard
  • January 2008: MV Jazz, Burma Liveaboard
  • October 2007: Bali Dive Safari
  • September 2007: Davao, Philippines
  • July 2007: Great White Sharks, Rodney Fox Liveaboard
  • June 2007: Big Blue, Palau Liveaboard
  • May 2007: Whale Sharks at Exmouth, Australia
  • April 2007: Borneo Explorer, Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard
  • December 2006: Komodo Dancer, Komodo Liveaboard

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