Whale shark · Indonesia
Where to see whale sharks in Indonesia
About this list
A common trap when looking for places to see whale sharks in Indonesia is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the whale shark as a target species, 4 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Gorontalo & Olele, Kaimana & Triton Bay and Raja Ampat. Encounters are split into scuba diving, freediving, snorkeling and land-based watching. Two "whale shark tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. All 4 operators on this list publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare them directly. Estimated prices are not shown. The 3 operators that state a season for whale shark programs in Indonesia cluster in Oct–Jun. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.
Whale shark season in Indonesia
Oct–Jun
- JanJanuary: in season
- FebFebruary: in season
- MarMarch: in season
- AprApril: in season
- MayMay: in season
- JunJune: in season
- JulJuly: not in season
- AugAugust: not in season
- SepSeptember: not in season
- OctOctober: in season
- NovNovember: in season
- DecDecember: in season
The months 3 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the whale shark season table.
4 listed operators
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Indonesia · Gorontalo & Olele
Gorontalo Dive Center
FreedivingScuba divingSnorkeling- Season
- Nov–Jun
- Price
- IDR 1,350,000 / person
- Checked
- Official source
Indonesia · Kaimana & Triton Bay
Triton Bay Divers
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- EUR 48 per dive
- Checked
- Official source
Indonesia · Raja Ampat
Mermaid I
Scuba divingIsland hopping & boat tripsLiveaboard- Season
- Sep–May
- Price
- €5,000 and up
- Checked
- Official source
Indonesia · Raja Ampat
Mermaid II
Scuba divingIsland hopping & boat tripsLiveaboard- Season
- Dec–Oct
- Price
- €3,000 and up
- Checked
- Official source
Whale shark season
Whale sharks in other countries
Other marine life in Indonesia
Activities in Indonesia
- Scuba diving in Indonesia306
- Snorkeling in Indonesia179
- Family water activities in Indonesia168
- Island hopping and boat trips in Indonesia150
- Beaches and water play in Indonesia55
- Freediving in Indonesia40
- Marine life encounters in Indonesia34
- Liveaboards in Indonesia21
- Surfing and SUP in Indonesia20
- Swimming in Indonesia3
Frequently asked questions
Where can you see whale sharks in Indonesia?
4 operators name the whale shark as a target species. Main regions: Gorontalo & Olele, Kaimana & Triton Bay and Raja Ampat.
Do you have to get in the water to see whale sharks?
Formats on record: scuba diving, freediving, snorkeling and land-based watching. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.
When is whale shark season?
The 3 operators that state a season for whale shark programs in Indonesia cluster in Oct–Jun. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.
Will I definitely see them?
No. Whale sharks are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.