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Swimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia

When we started planning our trip to Derawan Island in Indonesia, our guides asked us if we wanted to try to find some whale sharks (whaaaaa?! no way!). Even with plans to go look for them, we tried to manage our expectations so that we wouldn’t be disappointed. We’ve been on a handful of snorkeling trips where we didn’t see anything. We’ve never seen sharks and it was extremely lucky if we spotted a sea turtle! We are after all trying to find them in a HUGE ocean.

Our Most Epic Snorkeling Trip - Swimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island.Pin

Our local guides told us that we need to be flexible. Sometimes they appear and sometimes they don’t. The next morning, we got up before sunrise at 5 am and headed out into the ocean. We were one of the first groups to arrive at one of the floating fishing islands to see if they’ve seen any activity. As time passed, more groups and boats started to join. After an hour, there was word that they were spotted nearby.

Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin

You could feel the excitement in the air as everyone got ready to hop in the water. I had no idea what to expect. I was terrified. But once I got in, I was blown away to see 3 of these gentle giants swimming around. For the next hour and a half, we observed, swam with, and photographed these amazing creatures. Jacob was the only one who had the balls to free dive next to them, so he got some epic shots. I was just trying to avoid getting sucked into their mouths.

Swim with Whale Sharks in Derawan Islands.Pin
Snorkel with Whale Sharks Derawan Indonesia.Pin
Snorkeling wSwimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Swimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Most Epic Snorkeling Trip - Swimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Most Epic Snorkeling Trip - Swimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Swimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Snorkel with Whale Sharks.Pin
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks.Pin
Snorkel with Whale Sharks Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Swim with Whale Sharks in Derawan Islands.Pin
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks at Derawan Islands.Pin
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks at Derawan Islands.Pin
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks at Derawan Islands.Pin
Swimming with Whale Sharks in Derawan Islands.Pin
Swimming with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Swim with Whale Sharks.Pin
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks.Pin

At one point, we started getting stung and saw more and more jellyfish surface. There was a bigger jellyfish making it’s way up, which our guide informed us was a dangerous species, so I decided that it was time to get back on the boat! No thank you!

I even saw my favorite kind, the neon jellyfish that illuminates light right next to me. In that moment, I panicked and tried pushing it away, and the extra force of the water shattered the jellyfish! I’m still sad thinking about it. I completely forgot that neon jellyfish don’t sting. It has a short lifespan, and if it even touches a net, it shatters and dies. So beautiful and so fragile.

Jellyfish in Derawan Indonesia.Pin
Swim with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin
Swim with Whale Sharks Derawan Indonesia.Pin
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks at Derawan Island Indonesia.Pin

We couldn’t stop talking about them throughout the trip, and decided on the last day to go on a morning excursion to try looking for them again. The second time we found 2 more, and we were pretty much the only ones in the water with them.

This was the most successful snorkeling trip we’ve ever had, and I’m not sure that we’ll ever experience one quite like this. We freakin’ swam with wild whale sharks!!

TIPS FOR SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS AT DERAWAN ISLAND

  • Our guides told us whale sharks typically appear for 10 days, then leave for the next 20. Their appearance revolves around the new moon. We went 2 and 4 days after the new moon.
  • Not likely to happen, but make sure your hands are not near the whale shark’s mouth when they are feeding. They are not interested in humans as food, but they suck in a lot of water when they feed. If your arm gets stuck, you’ll drown since they descend after.
  • Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to make sure they fit best and are comfortable. You’re spending a lot of time in the water in Derawan. See the list of what we brought below.
  • There can be a lot of jellyfish in the area once the whale sharks are around, so just be aware of your surroundings. You can also use this anti-jellyfish sting lotion.
  • Don’t forget your coral safe sunblock.

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR WHALE SHARK EXCURSION:

  • Masks (Hers & His) – Be sure to try on several to see what fits your face best!
  • Snorkel – If it’s going in my mouth, I just like to have my own.
  • Fins – These shorter fins are awesome for travel!
  • Booties – We recommend fins that require booties, they’re easier to slip on and off and your feet and protected them in between.
  • Snorkeling Bag to carry your gear
  • Rash Guard – This was the best way to protect our skin from the sun.
  • Swim Suit

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS:

Would you go on this whale shark excursion? Why or why not? 

This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. Marvin

    Very nice! You have some great pictures of this experience. Would you happen to recall the price you paid per person for the snorkel tour?

    1. jacob

      Sorry – we don’t. It was booked as a big group package.

      1. Sam

        Hi Jacob! Just discovered the blog while planning a trip to Borneo. I’m curious whether you guys actually paid full price for the package? It’d be helpful to know how if there are issues that affect your reviews. Thanks.

        1. Esther JuLee

          Hi Sam. We did pay full price, but it was also a local price rather than what they would charge a non-Indonesian, since Jacob’s dad is from Indonesia.

  2. Luisa budde

    hey! my friend and me would like to snorkel with the whale sharks! Do you have an offer for a daytrip or something like these! that would be perfect!

    1. jacob

      Hi! Do you speak Bahasa (the local language)? The company we went with doesn’t speak english.

  3. Adrian

    Great blog and pictures. What time of year did you see the whale sharks. Also, which island did you stay. Did you use a dive company ?

    1. jacob

      We went in January and stayed on Derawan Island. We used a local guide company to take us out.

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