To reach Saleh Bay for a whale shark tour, first choose where you will stay the night before: Lombok, Sumbawa Besar or Labuan Jambu. Most regular tours use a traditional boat from Labuan Jambu; our speedboat option departs from Goa Harbour near Sumbawa Besar. This guide compares the routes from Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa so you can book the right transport and meeting point.
We’re the local operator running these trips for eight-plus years; here’s the routing advice we give our own guests, written down.
The Geography in 30 Seconds
Saleh Bay is on Sumbawa, east of Lombok. Labuan Jambu is the departure village for our regular boat trips. Allow roughly 2–3 hours by road from Sumbawa Besar, followed by around two hours by traditional boat, depending on conditions and the bagan location. The speedboat package follows a different route from Goa Harbour. Do not travel to Labuan Jambu if you have booked a Goa Harbour departure.
Route 1: Arrive in Sumbawa Besar (SWQ)
For an arrival close to our Sumbawa Besar departures, check flights to Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport (SWQ). Routes, connections and operating days can change; confirm flights for your actual travel dates before paying for the tour. Arrive the day before and stay in Sumbawa Besar. Choose the regular road-and-boat day tour with scheduled pickup at 1:30 AM, or the speedboat day tour from Goa Harbour with scheduled pickup at 3:30 AM. Both start early, but they use different harbours and transfers.
Route 2: From Lombok by Ferry
From Lombok, travel to Kayangan Port in East Lombok, cross to Poto Tano in West Sumbawa, then continue by road towards Labuan Jambu. Allow about two hours for the ferry crossing and roughly five hours for the onward drive, plus the journey to Kayangan, boarding, waiting and rest stops. The private 2D1N tour from Lombok spreads the journey over two days. Solo travellers can compare the shared departure from Lombok. If you arrange the crossing yourself, consider the Poto Tano package and confirm its meeting point first.
Route 3: From Bali, Jakarta, or Abroad
If you are starting in Bali, compare travel to Lombok (LOP) with available flights or connections to Sumbawa Besar (SWQ). Check the actual flight schedule for your dates; do not assume a direct daily service. For the Lombok route, reach Lombok before your tour pickup, then follow the Kayangan–Poto Tano route above. For the Sumbawa Besar route, stay in town the night before your day tour. Travel from Bali is separate from a package labelled “start and finish Lombok” or “start and finish Sumbawa Besar” unless your booking explicitly includes it.
Route 4: Already Near the Bay? Join at Labuan Jambu
If you are already travelling around Sumbawa, stay in or near Labuan Jambu and join at the confirmed meeting point before dawn. The shared open trip is IDR 650,000 per person; compare it with the private tour from the village for your group size. Arrange your transfer to the village and confirm the departure time in advance. Coming from the southwest coast? Choose the 2D1N package from Sekongkang rather than assuming it is a short transfer to the bay.
Which Route Fits Your Travel Plans?
| Where you are staying | Route and time to allow | Package to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Sumbawa Besar — regular boat | Scheduled 1:30 AM pickup; road to Labuan Jambu, then traditional boat. | Private road + boat day tour |
| Sumbawa Besar — speedboat | Scheduled 3:30 AM pickup; transfer to Goa Harbour, then speedboat. Itinerary plans arrival in the bagan area around 5:30 AM. | Private speedboat day tour |
| Lombok | Two days / one night. Allow a travel day for road transfers, the ferry and stops. | Private 2D1N Shared 2D1N |
| Bali | Reach Lombok or Sumbawa Besar before the tour. Check connections and allow an overnight buffer. | Choose a tour after choosing your arrival point |
| Labuan Jambu | Stay near the meeting point the night before. Confirm the early-morning boat departure. | Shared boat trip Private boat trip |
| Poto Tano or Sekongkang | Choose the matching 2D1N itinerary; these starting points are separate from Sumbawa Besar. | Poto Tano Sekongkang |
Compare trips from each departure point in our Sumbawa whale shark tour packages.
Getting Around Sumbawa
Distances on Sumbawa are long. Arrange airport transfers and onward transport before travelling; our Sumbawa car rental and transport service can help with a separate transfer if needed. Check the season guide and packing guide before departure.
Where to Stay and How Much Time to Allow
Starting in Sumbawa Besar: arrive the previous day, stay in town, and confirm hotel pickup. Treat the return time on the itinerary as an estimate. Avoid booking a flight or ferry immediately after the tour.
Starting in Labuan Jambu: stay close to the confirmed meeting point the night before. Accommodation is generally simple; check the room type and facilities before booking.
Starting in Lombok: allow two days and one night for the tour. The private itinerary offers tour-only and hotel-inclusive price options, so check which column you are booking. Plan any flight or boat connection after the tour with room for delays.
Before You Book Your Transport
Send our team your travel date, number of guests, hotel or arrival airport, and preferred private or shared trip. Confirm the pickup address, harbour, hotel inclusion and onward travel plan before paying. All itinerary times are local WITA (UTC+8), the same time zone as Bali and Lombok. Ferry waits, road conditions, weather and the location of the whale sharks can change the schedule.
Ready to choose? Compare all Sumbawa whale shark tours or ask our team to check your route on WhatsApp.
FAQ: Getting to Saleh Bay
How far is Saleh Bay from Sumbawa Besar?
For the regular route, allow roughly 2–3 hours by road to Labuan Jambu, then around two hours by traditional boat. Our regular package schedules pickup at 1:30 AM. The speedboat package uses Goa Harbour instead, with a scheduled 3:30 AM pickup. Confirm your package and pickup time before travelling.
Can I see the whale sharks as a day trip from Lombok?
We don’t recommend compressing it: the ferry takes about 2 hours and the road another 5 each way. The 2D1N packages from Lombok or Poto Tano exist precisely so you don’t have to squeeze the whole journey into one exhausting day.
Is there an airport on Sumbawa?
Yes. For a tour starting in Sumbawa Besar, look for Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport (SWQ). Check available flights and any connections for your travel dates, and plan to arrive the day before the morning tour.
Do tours include hotel pickup?
Our Sumbawa Besar packages include hotel pickup: the regular itinerary schedules 1:30 AM, while the speedboat itinerary schedules 3:30 AM. Labuan Jambu departures have a separate meeting point and time. Lombok packages include the transfers described in their itinerary. Confirm your exact pickup location with our team.
