There are some dreams you hold onto for years. You picture them over and over in your head — how it’ll feel, what you’ll see, how your heart might skip a beat. For me, that dream was simple: to swim with a whale shark. Not just anywhere, but in Indonesia, in a place that locals speak of like a secret — Saleh Bay, Sumbawa.
I’d always loved the ocean. Grew up on documentaries, listened to David Attenborough narrate the underwater world like it was poetry. But never, in all those years of watching, had I imagined I’d one day swim right next to one of the ocean’s most majestic creatures.
But here I was — standing on the edge of a small boat at sunrise, wetsuit clinging, heart pounding, staring down at what looked like a shadow… a very big one.
How It All Started
It began, like most epic things do, on a whim. I had a break between work projects, a cheap flight alert, and a growing restlessness in my chest. So I packed light, booked a few nights in Sumbawa, and set my sights on finding the gentle giants that call Saleh Bay home.
I didn’t want the overly touristy stuff. I wanted something raw. Real. Almost spiritual. Something that felt like a true whale shark diving Sumbawa experience — not just a tour, but a memory stamped deep into my soul.
And that’s exactly what I got.
The Morning of the Dive
It was early — too early, some might say — when I boarded the boat. The sky was still yawning, spilling soft pastel colors across the sea. The crew offered warm smiles and coffee. Not the fancy kind, but it hit just right.
As the boat cut through the calm waters, I kept scanning the horizon. The bay was still, with surrounding hills casting sleepy shadows across the surface. I half-expected to be let down. After all, nature doesn’t work on human schedules.
But nature, it turns out, had other plans.
First Glimpse of a Giant
“There!” one of the guides shouted, pointing a few meters ahead.
I squinted. Just beneath the surface — a slow-moving, dotted silhouette.
I couldn’t believe it.
The engine idled, and we glided toward it. Then came the words I’d been waiting for: “Go!”
I didn’t hesitate. I slipped into the water, adjusted my mask, took a deep breath… and descended.
And there it was.
A whale shark. Easily 7 to 8 meters long, moving with the kind of grace that makes everything else fade away.
What It Felt Like Underwater
You don’t realize how small you are until you’re face-to-face with something that big, yet so gentle. Its movements were unhurried, its eyes calm, as if it had seen a thousand humans like me and still chose to come close.
I floated beside it, keeping a respectful distance. Every freckle on its body, every swish of its tail — it was hypnotic.
The water was clear, surprisingly warm. Sunlight pierced through in beams, turning everything into an underwater cathedral.
And all I could think was: This is it. This is what I flew all this way for.
More Than Just One Encounter
That day, we saw four whale sharks. Four.
Each one seemed to have its own vibe. One playful, circling our boat curiously. Another, a bit shy, stayed deeper, offering only brief glances. Then came a big one — a true titan — that swam past me so slowly, I could’ve counted every spot on its back.
The guides were pros. They knew when to move, when to wait, and most importantly, how to ensure that the animals were respected. No feeding gimmicks, no forced interactions. Just honest, breathtaking encounters.
Why Saleh Bay Stands Out
I’ve snorkeled in other places before — the Maldives, Thailand, even a few popular spots in Bali. But whale shark snorkeling in Saleh Bay? It’s different.
There’s a purity here.
Maybe it’s the lack of crowds. Maybe it’s the local fishermen quietly observing from their platforms, sharing stories passed down from generations. Maybe it’s just that Sumbawa’s whale shark experience feels less like tourism and more like connection.
And the bay itself — calm, enclosed, surrounded by rolling hills — offers an ideal environment for the sharks and humans alike.
Trusting the Right People
I went with the folks from <a href=”https://whalesharksalehbay.com/”>Saleh Bay whale shark tour</a>. And I’ll say this — they get it. From the moment we met, there was a vibe: respectful of nature, passionate about the ocean, and absolutely in love with what they do.
They weren’t just there to help me see whale sharks. They were there to share a part of their home — a sacred experience that they’ve been guardians of for years.
That matters. Especially when you’re doing something as intimate and rare as diving with wild animals.
Related Experiences and Other Words People Use
I’ve heard people call it all kinds of things — swimming with whale sharks in Indonesia, whale shark watching trip, eco diving Sumbawa, snorkel with giant fish, or simply “the best experience of my life.” Honestly, they’re all true.
This isn’t something you can explain easily. It’s a feeling, a rush, a moment of pure presence that stays with you long after your skin has dried and the salt has left your hair.
A Few Personal Tips (If You Go)
If you’re thinking about making this dream real for yourself, here’s what I’d tell a friend:
- Pack light but bring a dry bag. You’ll want to protect your gear from the splashes.
- Use a mask with a good seal. You don’t want to miss the view because your goggles keep fogging up.
- Respect the animals. Keep your distance, don’t chase, and let them come to you.
- Go with the right people. Not all tours are created equal. Pick those who care.
And one more thing — don’t spend too much time behind a camera. Take a few shots, sure. But then put it down. Be there.
Was It Really a Bucket List Adventure?
Absolutely.
It’s not just the kind of thing you cross off a list. It’s the kind of thing you write about years later and still get chills.
Every now and then, when life gets noisy, I close my eyes and go back to that morning — to the gentle sway of the boat, the thrill of that first splash, the dot-patterned skin gliding past me like a dream.
And I remember what it felt like to be small, awestruck, and free.