Saleh Bay

Located off the coast of Sumbawa, Indonesia, Saleh Bay offers a rare and breathtaking opportunity to swim, snorkel, and dive with whale sharks in their natural habitat. Unlike many seasonal destinations worldwide, this unique, semi-enclosed bay is home to these gentle giants year-round. The adventure typically begins before dawn as traditional motorized boats take visitors out to the bagans (floating fishing platforms), where the whale sharks naturally gather near the surface to feed on plankton and small fish stirred up by local fishermen. Embraced by responsible tourism and strict local conservation protocols, a morning in the calm, clear waters of Saleh Bay promises an intimate, uncrowded, and profoundly humbling encounter with the world's largest fish.