SeaTrek now offers cruises in three locations in Indonesia to enable guests to see Whale Sharks throughout the year. From Triton Bay in remote West Papua to Sumbawa Island in the southern stretches of the Indonesian archipelago and Sulawesi in the centre of these scattered islands, the Indonesian expedition cruise operator SeaTrek Sailing Adventures offers more cruises than any other operator, and year round opportunities for guests to see and snorkel close to the world’s largest fish, the spectacular Whale Shark.
According to the latest IUCN assessments there are thought to be only about 128,000 to 200,000 mature Whale Sharks left in the oceans with 75% of the population found in the tropical and temperate waters of Indonesia.
These incredibly gentle giants of the sea have been estimated to live to over 100 years of age, reaching maturity at around 30 years old. They feed on plankton and small fish, which are abundant in the ocean, and are in turn preyed upon by larger fish and sharks. By regulating the population of smaller fish, whale sharks help to ensure that other marine species have enough food to survive.
However, Whale Sharks, are being overfished and poached for their highly sought-after fins and meat. With their numbers decreasing each year, if these creatures became extinct, the ocean would lose an important part of the long-term regulation of plankton levels.
Commenting, Michael Travers, Head of Comms for SeaTrek Sailing Adventures said “Whale Sharks are attracted to the baitfish that local fishermen, who live on floating platforms, put out to catch fish in large nets. The fishermen are now seeing the value of Whale Sharks beyond their meat and understand that tourists want to see and snorkel with them. By tipping us off when they spot a school, they can earn a bit of extra money to supplement their wages and by paying the fishermen to pass on their sightings, we have set up the perfect symbiotic relationship between man and beast that is a modern-day win / win success story. We hope that by bringing people to see these magnificent creatures we can raise awareness of the urgent need for conservation and help to sustain the numbers of Whale Sharks for future generations.”
Due to the unique series of itineraries that keep ahead of the trade winds, SeaTrek offers guests the opportunity to spot Whale Sharks as part of three separate itineraries while sailing aboard its traditional, UNESCO-heritage, Indonesian wooden pinisi sailing ships.
The Papua’s Whale Sharks and Birds of Paradise cruise includes time at Triton Bay in Papua (available October – January). This 10-day immersive safari to Raja Ampat seeks out the wildlife, birdlife, and marine life in this protected National Park. Stopping to relax on idyllic white sand beaches and trekking to refreshing jungle waterfalls. Guests can also go bird watching in search of the Birds of Paradise, snorkel over some of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs that are teeming with more fish species than anywhere else on the planet, and swim with stingless jellyfish in a marine lake. The 10-day cruise costs from $7,100 per person (£5,680 pp) including full board and all airport transfers. Excludes international flights.
Alternatively, the 8-day Whale Sharks, Corals & Dragons cruise calls in at Sumbawa Island which is located between Lombok and Flores (available April – August). In addition to Whale Sharks there are plenty of opportunities to get up close to wildlife from rare encounters with the Komodo Dragons to seeking out bats, butterflies, and bugs on a gentle trek through Komodo National Park. There is also the chance to swim with manta rays and sea turtles and see a kaleidoscope of colourful coral reefs, surrounded by hundreds of fish and coral species below the waves. The 8-day cruise costs from $4,200 (£3,500 pp) including full board cruise, all airport transfers, two nights resort stay in Bali either side of the cruise and domestic flights to or from Komodo. Excludes international flights.
Or in the water’s around Sulawesi on SeaTrek’s 14-day Rare Species, Remote Cultures & Remarkable Corals cruise (in February) and the 14-day Corals, Cultures & Dragons cruise (in March) there are opportunities to see Whale Sharks, snorkel in coral rich waters and amongst giant clams; explore reefs teeming with fish, swim in lakes filled with stingless jellyfish, and snorkel with the beautiful and endangered Banggai Cardinal Fish. On jungle treks spot the Golden Birdwing and see the cuscus and the black-crested macaque. There’s a visit to a colony of possibly the strangest and most unique flightless birds, the rare Maleo and the chance to witness one of nature’s most mesmerising evening shows as large flocks of hornbills fly into their night-time roosts at dusk. The 14-day cruise costs from $9,950 per person (£7,961pp) including full board and all airport transfers. Excludes international flights.
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