I never thought my sister would say yes to a whale shark tour in Sumbawa.
She’s the kind of person who triple-checks weather apps before leaving the house. Someone who wears floaties in shallow pools “just in case.” The idea of swimming in open water—next to something the size of a small bus—was, until recently, firmly in her absolutely not column.
But when I invited her to join me on a last-minute trip to Saleh Bay for a whale shark tour Sumbawa experience, she surprised me.
“I’ll do it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But if I scream underwater, just leave me.”
She was joking. (Mostly.)
The Night Before
We arrived in Sumbawa the evening before our tour. The air was warm, filled with that salty coastal scent that I love. My sister, meanwhile, was flipping through her mental list of possible disasters.
“What if it’s too deep?”
“What if I can’t breathe?”
“What if I accidentally touch one?”
I tried to reassure her. “They’re gentle giants,” I said. “You’ll be fine. We’ll take it slow.”
But even as I said it, I wasn’t sure she’d go through with it. She had never snorkeled before. Never jumped off a boat. And certainly never shared the ocean with something that could swallow a basketball whole (not that they would—they eat plankton, not people).
Still, she didn’t back out.
Morning Jitters
We woke up before sunrise. She didn’t say much over breakfast, just quietly sipped her tea and stared out at the water.
The crew welcomed us with warm smiles. They gave us a short briefing, handed out gear, and soon we were gliding across the still morning sea toward Saleh Bay.
The light over the water was soft and golden. Sumbawa looked like a dream—mist rising over the hills, fishermen casting nets, and the gentle hum of the boat cutting through the calm.
I looked over at my sister. She was pale but determined.
“Still good?” I asked.
She nodded.
Then she whispered, “I think I forgot how to swim.”
First Splash, First Panic
The first whale shark sighting happened faster than we expected.
One of the guides spotted movement up ahead. We all leaned over the side—and there it was. A huge, dotted shape just under the surface.
The excitement on the boat shifted instantly. People adjusted their masks, readied their fins, and prepared to slip in.
My sister froze.
“Okay,” she said, half to herself. “I can do this.”
We helped her lower gently into the water with her life vest on. She gripped the rope beside the boat so tightly her knuckles turned white. I stayed close, floating beside her.
Then she looked down.
And panicked.
I could hear her breathing too fast through the snorkel. She lifted her head, eyes wide. “I can’t do it. I can’t. It’s too big. I’m going back up.”
The guide nearby gently floated closer. “It’s okay. Just hold on to this float,” he said, offering her a buoy. “Breathe slowly. No rush.”
She clung to the float. I could see tears mixing with seawater on her cheeks.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
But then, something changed.
Magic Happens When You’re Still
A minute later, the whale shark swam beneath us again.
This time, my sister didn’t try to escape. She just stared.
The whale shark moved slowly, its massive body gliding with grace through the water. Light from above danced on its back like stars. It was beautiful.
And quiet.
Completely quiet.
No one spoke. No one splashed. We all just floated there, awestruck.
I looked at my sister. Her grip on the float had loosened. Her breathing had slowed. Her eyes were wide, but no longer afraid—just amazed.
“I didn’t know something that big could move so gently,” she said softly.
Neither did I, the first time.
From Panic to Peace
We stayed in the water for almost an hour. The whale shark swam by a few more times, occasionally near the surface, sometimes dipping lower into the blue.
My sister eventually let go of the float and paddled beside me. Not too far, but far enough that I could see she was starting to trust herself—and the ocean.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” she said.
And honestly, it did feel like a dream.
There was something surreal about the whole experience. The open sea. The silence. The slow rhythm of fins moving through water. The dots on the whale shark’s back looked like constellations, and for a moment, we felt like we were floating through the galaxy.
It was one of the most peaceful hours I’ve ever spent in the ocean. And I think it changed something in my sister.
The Afterglow
Back on the boat, we wrapped ourselves in towels and sipped warm tea. My sister was smiling.
A real, relaxed, sun-warmed smile.
“I get it now,” she said.
And she did.
She didn’t need a hundred swims or perfect GoPro footage to fall in love with the experience. All it took was one moment—one underwater breath with a giant fish drifting by—and she was hooked.
Why Saleh Bay Is Perfect for First Timers
If you’re considering a whale shark tour Sumbawa style, especially with someone who’s new or nervous, I can’t recommend Saleh Bay enough.
The waters are calm. The guides are gentle and understanding. And the whale sharks? They’re regular visitors here, gliding through the bay in search of plankton, seemingly unaware of the awe they create.
More importantly, the experience is built around respect.
Unlike some tourist-heavy spots, the Saleh Bay whale shark tour keeps groups small and prioritizes safety—for guests and animals alike. There’s no feeding, no chasing, no loud engines. Just slow, quiet observation.
And for someone like my sister, that made all the difference.
Tips If You’re Traveling with a Nervous Swimmer
Whether it’s a friend, a sibling, or even yourself, here are a few things I learned that day:
1. Don’t Push Too Hard
Encouragement is good. Pressure is not. Let them set the pace.
2. Use the Float
Most tours provide one. It’s not just for safety—it’s for peace of mind.
3. Focus on Breathing
Panic often comes from poor breathing. Slow, steady breaths through a snorkel can bring someone back to calm.
4. Remind Them It’s Okay to Be Scared
Fear is natural. Especially in unfamiliar waters. But fear doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy it—it just means they’re human.
My Sister Now Talks About Whale Sharks All the Time
Since that day, my sister has become an unofficial whale shark ambassador.
She follows whale shark conservation pages. She reads about migration patterns. She tells everyone about her “brush with the ocean gods.”
And every time someone mentions they’re scared to swim in the sea, she smiles and says, “So was I. But trust me, it’s worth it.”