Destinations
Sumbawa Liveaboard
Whale sharks, pristine reefs and one of Indonesia's best-kept secrets
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About Sumbawa Liveaboard
Sumbawa is a large island in West Nusa Tenggara, between Lombok to the west and Flores and Komodo to the east. It sees a fraction of the visitors of its neighbours, and its diving is some of the most rewarding and least crowded in Indonesia, from whale sharks in Saleh Bay to the coral gardens of Moyo Island.
A Sumbawa liveaboard combines that diving with the feeling of exploring one of Indonesia’s last frontiers. Our phinisi Neptune One sails here with unlimited satellite internet and Nitrox blended on board by a Bauer membrane compressor.
Our Trip Snapshot
- Flexible booking
- Whale shark encounters
- Small dive groups
- Travel assistance
- Multilingual crew
Experience
The Sumbawa Diving Experience
Sumbawa combines big animals with reefs that hardly anyone dives. Ocean currents carry nutrients through its bays and channels, drawing whale sharks, manta rays and a wealth of other life to waters few divers ever reach.
Whale sharks
Saleh Bay is one of the most reliable places in Indonesia to meet whale sharks. From May to October they gather around the traditional fishing platforms, called bagans, in warm, shallow water.
Moyo Island
Moyo is a protected nature reserve off the north coast. Its reefs have exceptional hard coral, reef sharks, turtles and clear water, usually with no other dive boat in sight.
Gateway to Komodo
Sumbawa sits between Lombok and Komodo, an ideal stop on longer voyages. Gili Banta, on the edge of Komodo National Park, has fast drifts with mantas, sharks and big schools of fish.
Dive sites
Top Dive Sites in Sumbawa
From whale sharks in Saleh Bay to the walls of Gili Banta, Sumbawa mixes big animal encounters with coral reefs far from the crowds.
Moyo Island reefs
All levels↕ 5–30m
Hard coral gardens around a protected island, with clear water, reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and clouds of reef fish.
Saleh Bay
All levels↕ 5–18m
A shallow bay where whale sharks gather around the fishing platforms. Snorkel or dive with the world’s largest fish in warm, calm water from May to October.
Satonda Island
Intermediate↕ 10–35m
A volcanic island with a saltwater crater lake. Underwater, steep walls with healthy coral, schooling barracuda, eagle rays and the odd hammerhead.
Gili Banta
Advanced↕ 10–40m
A current-swept island between Sumbawa and Komodo with fast drifts, big schools of trevally, reef sharks, manta rays and pristine coral walls.
Batu Tiang pinnacles
Intermediate↕ 12–35m
Underwater pinnacles covered in soft coral and gorgonian fans, where the current brings tuna, trevally and whitetip reef sharks.
Teluk Sanggar
All levels↕ 5–25m
A sheltered bay below Mount Tambora with volcanic sand critter dives: nudibranchs, frogfish and more, with no other divers around.
Best time to visit
Sumbawa Diving Season Calendar
The best time for Sumbawa is the dry season from April to October, when the whale sharks are in Saleh Bay and the water is clearest. The reefs are good to dive all year.
| Month | Water temperature | Visibility | Currents | Season highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 10–15m | Mild | Wet season |
| Feb | 28°C | 10–15m | Mild | Wet season |
| Mar | 29°C | 15–20m | Mild | Transition |
| Apr | 29°C | 15–25m | Mild | Season opens |
| May | 28°C | 20–30m | Moderate | Whale sharks arrive |
| Jun | 27°C | 20–30m | Moderate | Peak whale shark season |
| Jul | 26°C | 20–30m | Moderate | Peak season |
| Aug | 26°C | 20–30m | Moderate | Peak season |
| Sep | 27°C | 20–25m | Moderate | Great conditions |
| Oct | 28°C | 15–25m | Moderate | Season winds down |
| Nov | 29°C | 15–20m | Mild | Transition |
| Dec | 29°C | 10–15m | Mild | Wet season |
Recommended months
Conditions
Water Conditions and Gear
- Temperature
- 26–29°C (79–84°F)
- Visibility
- 15–30m (50–100ft)
- Currents
- Mild to moderate, depending on the site
- Best visibility
- May to September
- Thermoclines
- Occasional on the deeper sites around Gili Banta
- Wetsuit
- 3mm full wetsuit
- Certification
- Open Water for most sites, Advanced for Gili Banta
- Nitrox
- Recommended on days with several dives
Marine life
What You Will See in Sumbawa
Sumbawa lies in the Coral Triangle, with whale sharks, manta rays, reef sharks and plenty of critters on reefs that very few divers visit.
Whale sharks and rays
- Whale sharks in season
- Reef manta rays
- Eagle rays
- Mobula rays
- Blue-spotted stingrays
Sharks
- Whitetip reef sharks
- Blacktip reef sharks
- Grey reef sharks
- Bamboo sharks
- Hammerheads at Gili Banta
Pelagics
- Giant trevally
- Dogtooth tuna
- Napoleon wrasse
- Schooling barracuda
- Spanish mackerel
Macro life
- More than 100 nudibranch species
- Frogfish
- Seahorses
- Octopus
- Mantis shrimp
Reef life
- Pristine hard coral gardens
- Gorgonian sea fans
- Barrel sponges
- Clouds of anthias
- Clownfish colonies
Travel
How to Get to Sumbawa
Sumbawa is usually dived as part of a longer voyage. Our current Sumbawa trip is Neptune One’s ten-day crossing from Bali to Labuan Bajo, which follows the north coast of Sumbawa past Moyo and Satonda to Gili Banta.
To reach the island on your own, fly to Sumbawa Besar (SWQ) or Bima (BMU) from Bali or Jakarta, or take the 90-minute ferry from Kayangan on Lombok to Poto Tano. Our team helps you plan your flights.
Access points: Bali and Labuan Bajo
The voyage starts in Bali (DPS) and ends in Labuan Bajo (LBJ). Sumbawa Besar (SWQ) and Bima (BMU) have flights from Bali.
Departure ports can change. Our reservations team confirms the exact meeting point when you book.
Beyond diving
What to Do in Sumbawa
Sumbawa is more than a dive destination. Above the waterline there is world-class surf, a famous volcano and plenty more to explore.
Surf at Lakey Peak
Lakey Peak near Hu’u is one of Indonesia’s best-known surf breaks, with consistent lefts and rights from May to October.
Trek Mount Tambora
Hike to the rim of Tambora, whose 1815 eruption was the largest in recorded history. The view into the caldera is unforgettable.
Explore Moyo Island
The Moyo nature reserve has waterfalls, wild deer and tropical forest, plus some of the best snorkelling in the region.
Discover Sumbawa Besar
The island’s main town has traditional markets, the old Sultan’s Palace of Dalam Loka and authentic Sumbawan food.
Travel tips
Tips for Travellers
- 1
Time it for the whale sharks
Come between May and October for the best chance of whale sharks in Saleh Bay. June to August usually brings the most consistent sightings. Ask us whether your departure includes a stop there.
- 2
Getting around
Sumbawa is large and public transport is limited. A liveaboard takes care of the logistics and takes you straight to the best sites and remote islands.
- 3
Combine it with Komodo
Many voyages pair Sumbawa with Komodo. Sailing between Bali and Labuan Bajo via Gili Banta covers two world-class regions in a single trip.
- 4
Respect the wildlife
Moyo is a nature reserve and the whale sharks of Saleh Bay are vulnerable. Keep your distance, follow the guide’s briefing and never touch the animals.
Travel essentials
Practical Travel Information
- Visa
- Most nationalities can buy a 30-day visa on arrival, extendable once. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR). There are ATMs in Sumbawa Besar and Bima, but carry cash for remote areas and small islands.
- Language
- Bahasa Indonesia is the national language and Sumbawan is spoken locally. Our dive guides and crew speak English.
- Tipping
- Tipping the crew is customary. As a guide, guests leave Rp 270,000 to 360,000 per person per day.
- What to pack
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hiking shoes for Moyo or Tambora, seasickness tablets and an underwater camera.
- Health
- No vaccinations are required; hepatitis A and B and typhoid are recommended. Dive insurance is strongly advised, as the nearest recompression chamber is in Bali.
- Electricity
- 220V, 50Hz, with European two-pin plugs (types C and F). Bring a universal adapter.
- Time zone
- Central Indonesia Time (WITA), UTC+8, the same as Bali.
Our itinerary
Explore Sumbawa by Liveaboard
Neptune One’s Bali to Labuan Bajo voyage sails past Lombok and along the north coast of Sumbawa, with stops at Moyo, Satonda and Gili Banta before Komodo National Park. Read more in our guide Lombok to Komodo.
Schedule
Upcoming Sumbawa Trips
Live availability and prices for Neptune One voyages along Sumbawa.
The fleet
Your Boat
Your trip
What Your Trip Includes
Included in the price
- Cabin accommodation with en-suite bathroom
- Airport and hotel transfers at the start and end of the trip
- All scheduled dives, with tanks, weights and weight belts
- Three meals and three snacks a day
- Coffee, tea and snacks all day
- Unlimited satellite internet
- Snorkelling gear
- A maximum of four divers per guide
- Stand-up paddle boards and kayaks
Not included
- Nitrox
- Rental equipment such as BCD, regulator and wetsuit
- Single cabin supplement
- Park and port fees
- Private dive guide
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- 15-litre tanks
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sumbawa and how do I get there?
Sumbawa is in West Nusa Tenggara, between Lombok and Flores. You can fly to Sumbawa Besar (SWQ) or Bima (BMU) from Bali or Jakarta, take the ferry from Lombok, or join a liveaboard such as Neptune One’s Bali to Labuan Bajo voyage, which stops along the coast.
Where can I see whale sharks in Sumbawa?
In Saleh Bay, where whale sharks gather around the fishing platforms to feed on the small fish drawn by the platform lights. The season runs from May to October. Ask us whether your departure includes a stop there.
How do I get from Lombok to Sumbawa?
The public ferry from Kayangan on Lombok to Poto Tano on Sumbawa takes about 90 minutes. You can also fly from Lombok (LOP) to Sumbawa Besar (SWQ). On a liveaboard, the boat takes care of the crossing.
How do I get to Moyo Island?
Moyo lies just off Sumbawa’s north coast, about two hours by boat from Sumbawa Besar. It is a protected reserve with little infrastructure, so a liveaboard is the easiest way to dive its reefs.
Is Sumbawa suitable for beginners?
Yes, for most sites. Moyo and the sheltered bays have gentle currents and clear water, ideal for Open Water divers. Satonda and Gili Banta can have stronger currents and suit intermediate to advanced divers.
What else can I do in Sumbawa?
Sumbawa is famous for the surf at Lakey Peak. You can also hike to the rim of Mount Tambora, walk to the waterfalls on Moyo, visit traditional villages and explore the markets of Sumbawa Besar.
Explore more
See Other Destinations
Komodo
Manta rays, strong-current reefs and the Komodo dragons, in a UNESCO World Heritage national park.
Explore →
Bali
Manta rays at Nusa Penida, mola in the cool season and the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben.
Explore →
Banda Sea
Schooling hammerheads, volcanic islands and deep blue walls in the old Spice Islands.
Explore →Get in Touch
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