COMMUNITY-BASED
WHALE SHARK TOURISM
LABUHAN JAMBU VILLAGE, SUMBAWA
Hello, I am a Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). I
am popular as Pakek Torok (Pakek means shark
and Torok means deaf) around Saleh Bay, Sum-
bawa. I have big body like a whale, but I belong
to the family of sharks because I breathe with
gills. That is why people call me as Whale Shark.
Stated under the category
of “Endangered” on IUCN
Red List.
I feed on plankton and
small fish (masin) or
small shrimp (rebon).
Male whale sharks have claspers (two
reproductive organs) in the lower body,
while the female whale shark does not.
Fully protected in Indonesian waters
based on the Minister of Marine Affairs
and Fisheries Regulation
No 18/KepMen-KP/2013.
The largest fish in the world that
can grow up to 18 meters long
and weigh 20-30 tons.
Are known to be able to dive until 1880
meters depth (the deepest recorded!).
Conservation International Indonesia Elasmobranch
(Shark and Rays) Conservation Program aims to use
scientific information related to population dynamics and
movement of whale sharks and manta rays in supporting the
management of marine protected areas and the development
of sustainable community-based tourism.
Whale shark conservation program in Saleh Bay, Sum-
bawa, where whale sharks love eating and swimming
around Bagan boat:
Satellite tagging and
monitoring whale shark
Education and outreach
to local community
Support citizen science
initiative by Bagan fishers
to identify whale shark
sighting
 WHALE SHARK TOURISM DON’Ts Dos
SALEH BAY, SUMBAWA
Keep 3 meters
distance from whale

GENERAL RULES Litter to the ocean

Use flash camera
while in front of the
sharks’ body or head

whale sharks’ eyes

• Fill out the reservation sheet and

release statement Take position next to
• Follow guidance from tour guide Use accessories
(e.g. bracelets, whale sharks’ body

• Maximum duration of activities: chains, etc.)

observation from boat 60 ------

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minutes, swimming / snorkeling 30

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Keep 4 meters

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distance from whale

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Feed the whale shark

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Smoke on board
minutes, diving 45 minutes sharks’ tail

• Snorkeling activities are only

allowed for guests who have a
diving certificate Make any physical
• Guests who do not have a diving contact with the whale
shark (touching,
Be calm and move

certificate do observation from boat pulling, or riding

gently when whale
shark approach

• Maximum number of tourists are 6

guests per boat for all activities Bring plastic bottle to
boats
Use sun cream/lotion Wear swimming
suit/rash guide

Reservation
Reservations must be made no later than two days prior to observing whale shark tours. Please contact Mr. M. Tourist itinerary from recreational
Iqbal Hidayat on number +628123721461. boats (liveaboard)
Important! - Submit reservation sheet and liability
Whale shark movements cover very large area, therefore there is no guarantee for tourists to be able to see statement, then have briefing/
with the whale sharks in every whale shark tour. technical meeting from whale shark
tour guide
- Whale shark observation activities
- Return to liveaboard
Land-based tourist itinerary
Day 01
- Arrive in the village and visit the whale shark Labuhan Jambu Village is located in
tour station Tarano District, Sumbawa Regency, West
- Submit reservation sheet and liability Nusa Tenggara with an area of 32.33
statement, then have briefing/technical meeting with km2. It is located in the eastern area of
whale shark tour guide Saleh Bay which is now being prioritized
- Check in homestay as one of SAMOTA's tourist destinations
- Tour around the village (Teluk Saleh, Moyo Island, and Mount
- Free program and overnight at homestay Tambora) by the Sumbawa Regency
government. Fisheries potential, namely
Day 02 fishing by Bagan boat, is one of the main
- Departure to sea at 04.00 WITA from land by livelihood activity for community. The
bringing personal needs (towels, drinking water appearance of whale sharks around the
bottles, clothes, hats, etc.) Bagan boat has been known for a long
- Whale shark observation activities time, but not until 2017, when conserva-
- Breakfast on boats tion management effort and communi-
- Return to the village (around 08.00) for free time and ty-based ecotourism of whale sharks was
homestay check-out (12.00) initiated in Saleh Bay, Labuhan Jambu
- Travel to Sumbawa Village.