Before I joined the whale shark tour in Sumbawa, I thought I knew what to expect.
Big fish. Blue water. A few photos. Maybe some nerves.
But what actually happened during my trip to Saleh Bay totally caught me off guard—in the best possible way. This wasn’t just a snorkel-and-go kind of day. It was layered with emotions, lessons, and jaw-dropping moments that I couldn’t have planned for.
So, if you’re thinking of seeing the whale shark Sumbawa is famous for, let me walk you through the 10 things that surprised me most.
1. They Appear So Close to the Boat
I thought we’d spend hours searching the bay, maybe get lucky with a sighting from a distance.
Nope.
Within 15 minutes of reaching the first fishing platform (bagan), one appeared right next to the boat. Just gliding along like it owned the place (which, honestly, it does). No one yelled or splashed. Everyone just froze.
Looking down at a 6-meter-long fish from a few feet away was the moment it became real.
2. Whale Sharks Move with Stunning Grace
They are massive—yes. But also… elegant?
I expected clumsy, slow movement. But these giants flow. They don’t twist or thrash. Every movement is deliberate and smooth, like slow-motion choreography under water.
You could just float and watch one swim loops around you for twenty minutes, and it would feel like five seconds.
3. I Was Way More Nervous Than I Thought I’d Be
I’ve snorkeled before. I’m not new to the ocean. But the first time I slid into the water and saw one of the whale sharks heading my way?
My breath hitched. Not because I was scared of it, but because it felt huge. There’s something raw about being in the wild, in its territory. You realize how small you are, how new you are to this environment.
But after a few minutes, the nervousness faded into something closer to awe.
4. You Can Feel Their Presence Before You See Them
This one was strange.
There were moments when I didn’t see the whale shark yet—but I felt it. Maybe the water shifted. Maybe my body knew before my brain did.
And then—boom—it would appear in the corner of my mask. Massive, calm, unreal.
It was like the ocean whispered before introducing the star of the show.
5. The Experience Is Incredibly Quiet
No motors. No chaos. No shouting.
The boat engine would be turned off, and we would just float in the middle of the sea, waiting. When the whale sharks came, they made no sound. Even in the water, everything felt muted.
I expected excitement. I didn’t expect silence. And that silence made the whole thing feel spiritual.
6. It’s Not Just One—You Might See Several
On my tour, we saw five different whale sharks over a few hours.
Each had its own look—some with scars, others longer or wider, and one with spots that reminded me of stars. They came and went as they pleased. Some circled the boat. Others passed through and disappeared into the blue.
I’d been hoping for one sighting. I got a symphony of sightings.
7. You Don’t Need to Chase—They Come to You
I thought we’d be swimming hard, chasing them through open sea. But here’s the thing: if you’re respectful and still, they approach you.
That was a huge surprise.
The best moments happened when I just floated. Not kicking, not trying too hard. Just waiting and watching. And every time, one would come closer—sometimes within a few meters.
The whale sharks weren’t performers. They were just curious co-swimmers.
8. Saleh Bay Is Wildly Beautiful
I came for the whale sharks. I didn’t realize I’d fall in love with Saleh Bay itself.
It’s massive and untouched. Green hills in the background. The sea changes colors as the sun moves. No hotels in sight. No noisy boats.
Just the ocean, the sky, and the occasional bagan floating like a wooden island.
I’d never felt so far from crowds and so close to something ancient.
9. The Local Fishermen Know Everything
These guys don’t speak in hashtags or wear diving suits. But they know everything.
They know when the whale sharks are near. They can read the wind, the tide, even the way birds move. They don’t track them with GPS. They just know.
It made me respect the place even more. This isn’t just a tourist thing. It’s a place where humans and nature still work side by side.
10. It Was More Emotional Than I Expected
I thought it would be cool. Maybe even inspiring. But I didn’t expect it to stir something deep inside me.
There was one moment I’ll never forget. I was swimming near one of the whale sharks, just the two of us. It looked at me—actually looked—and didn’t change direction.
It felt like time paused.
I floated there, water around my ears, heartbeat slowing down, feeling like a guest in some grand underwater cathedral.