Sumbawa Island, Indonesia — pristine coastline and turquoise waters
Destinazioni

Crociera Subacquea Sumbawa

Squali Balena, Barriere Incontaminate & il Segreto Meglio Custodito dell'Indonesia

Su Sumbawa

Immersioni in Crociera a Sumbawa

Sumbawa è una grande isola nella provincia di Nusa Tenggara Occidentale dell'Indonesia, situata tra Lombok a ovest e Flores e Komodo a est. Molto meno visitata dei suoi famosi vicini, l'isola di Sumbawa offre alcune delle immersioni più gratificanti e meno affollate dell'Indonesia.

Una crociera subacquea a Sumbawa combina immersioni di classe mondiale con l'avventura di esplorare una delle ultime vere frontiere dell'Indonesia. Godetevi internet satellitare illimitato gratuito e la migliore miscela di Aria Arricchita (NITROX).

Sumbawa island coastline with mountain backdrop

Panoramica del Nostro Viaggio a Sumbawa

WHALE SHARK ENCOUNTERSFLEXIBLE BOOKINGSMALL DIVING GROUPSTRAVEL ASSISTANCEMULTILINGUAL CREW & STAFF

Esperienza

L'Esperienza di Immersione a Sumbawa

Le immersioni a Sumbawa sono un mix straordinario di incontri con grandi animali ed esplorazione di barriere incontaminate.

Incontri con Squali Balena a Sumbawa

La baia di Saleh è uno dei luoghi più affidabili dell'Indonesia per vedere gli squali balena. Questi gentili giganti si radunano attorno alle piattaforme di pesca tradizionali da maggio a ottobre.

Isola Moyo & Barriere Incontaminate

L'isola Moyo è una riserva naturale protetta al largo della costa nord di Sumbawa. Le sue barriere sono tra le più incontaminate della regione.

Porta d'Ingresso per Komodo

La posizione strategica di Sumbawa tra Lombok e Komodo la rende una tappa ideale nelle crociere subacquee estese.

Dive Sites

Top Dive Sites in Sumbawa

From whale shark encounters in Saleh Bay to pristine walls at Gili Banta, Sumbawa diving delivers a rare mix of big animal action and untouched coral reefs far from the crowds.

Moyo Island Reefs

All Levels
5–30m

Pristine hard coral gardens surrounding this protected nature reserve island, with excellent visibility, reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and clouds of colorful reef fish in crystal-clear waters.

Saleh Bay (Whale Shark Point)

All Levels
5–18m

Shallow bay where whale sharks congregate around fishing platforms (bagans). Snorkeling and diving encounters with the world's largest fish in warm, calm conditions from May to October.

Satonda Island

Intermediate
10–35m

Volcanic crater island with a saltwater lake. Underwater, dramatic walls plunge into the blue with healthy coral cover, schooling barracuda, eagle rays, and occasional hammerhead sightings.

Gili Banta

Advanced
10–40m

Current-swept island between Sumbawa and Komodo with spectacular drift dives, large schools of trevally, reef sharks, manta ray encounters, and pristine untouched coral walls.

Batu Tiang Pinnacles

Intermediate
12–35m

Submerged pinnacles covered in soft corals and gorgonian fans where currents attract pelagics including tuna, trevally, and whitetip reef sharks cruising the blue water.

Teluk Sanggar

All Levels
5–25m

Sheltered bay near Mount Tambora with healthy macro life, nudibranchs, frogfish, and volcanic sand critter diving reminiscent of Lembeh Strait but completely unexplored and uncrowded.

Best Time to Visit

Sumbawa Diving Season Calendar

The best time for a Sumbawa trip is during the dry season from April to October, when whale sharks gather in Saleh Bay and visibility reaches its peak. Sumbawa diving is excellent year-round for reef exploration.

MonthWater TempVisibilityCurrentsHighlight
Jan28°C10–15mMildWet season
Feb28°C10–15mMildWet season
Mar29°C15–20mMildTransition
Apr29°C15–25mMildSeason opens
May28°C20–30mModerateWhale sharks arrive
Jun27°C20–30mModeratePeak whale sharks
Jul26°C20–30mModeratePeak season
Aug26°C20–30mModeratePeak season
Sep27°C20–25mModerateGreat conditions
Oct28°C15–25mModerateSeason winds down
Nov29°C15–20mMildTransition
Dec29°C10–15mMildWet season

Recommended months for Sumbawa diving and whale shark encounters

Conditions

Water Conditions & Gear

Temperature

26–29°C (79–84°F)

Visibility

15–30m (50–100ft)

Currents

Mild to moderate — site dependent

Best Visibility

May – September

Thermoclines

Occasional in deeper sites around Gili Banta

Suit

3mm full wetsuit

Certification

Open Water for most sites, Advanced for Gili Banta

Nitrox

Recommended for multi-dive days

Marine Life

What You’ll See Diving in Sumbawa

Sumbawa Indonesia sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, offering encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, reef sharks, and an abundance of macro critters on reefs that see very few divers.

Whale Sharks & Rays

  • Whale sharks (seasonal)
  • Reef manta rays
  • Eagle rays
  • Mobula rays
  • Blue-spotted stingrays

Sharks

  • Whitetip reef sharks
  • Blacktip reef sharks
  • Grey reef sharks
  • Bamboo sharks
  • Hammerhead sharks (Gili Banta)

Pelagics

  • Giant trevally
  • Dogtooth tuna
  • Napoleon wrasse
  • Barracuda schools
  • Spanish mackerel

Macro Life

  • Nudibranchs (100+ species)
  • Frogfish
  • Seahorses
  • Octopus
  • Mantis shrimp

Reef Life

  • Pristine hard coral gardens
  • Gorgonian sea fans
  • Barrel sponges
  • Anthias clouds
  • Clownfish colonies
Aerial view of turquoise bay near Sumbawa island

Viaggio

Come Arrivare a Sumbawa

Ci sono diversi modi per raggiungere l'isola di Sumbawa. Volate direttamente all'aeroporto di Sumbawa Besar (SWQ) o Bima (BMU) da Bali o Giacarta.

Per le crociere subacquee, Sumbawa è tipicamente inclusa in un itinerario Labuan Bajo–Sumbawa o Komodo–Sumbawa. Il nostro team fornisce assistenza di viaggio completa.

Punti di accesso: Sumbawa Besar / Bima / Labuan Bajo Volo per SWQ o BMU, o traghetto da Lombok. Le crociere partono spesso da Labuan Bajo.

Beyond Diving

What to Do in Sumbawa

Sumbawa island is more than a diving destination. From world-class surfing to volcanic trekking, there’s plenty to explore above the waterline.

Sumbawa Surf at Lakey Peak

Lakey Peak near Hu'u is one of Indonesia's most famous surf breaks, attracting surfers from around the world with its consistent left and right barrels from May to October.

Trek Mount Tambora

Hike to the rim of Mount Tambora, the volcano responsible for the largest eruption in recorded history in 1815. The caldera offers breathtaking views and a profound sense of geological power.

Explore Moyo Island

Visit the Moyo Island nature reserve — a protected paradise with cascading waterfalls, wild deer, tropical forests, and some of the most pristine snorkeling and diving in Indonesia.

Discover Sumbawa Besar

Explore the main town of Sumbawa Besar with its traditional markets, the historic Sultan's Palace (Dalam Loka), and authentic Sumbawan cuisine and culture.

Consigli di Viaggio

Consigli per i Viaggiatori

1

Migliore Stagione per gli Squali Balena

Pianificate il vostro viaggio a Sumbawa tra maggio e ottobre per le migliori possibilità di vedere squali balena nella baia di Saleh.

2

Muoversi a Sumbawa

Sumbawa è un'isola grande con trasporti pubblici limitati. Per la migliore esperienza, una crociera subacquea gestisce tutta la logistica.

3

Combinare con Komodo

Molti itinerari combinano Sumbawa con Komodo per l'avventura subacquea indonesiana definitiva.

4

Rispettare l'Ambiente

L'isola Moyo è una riserva naturale e gli squali balena della baia di Saleh sono una risorsa fragile. Seguite le linee guida per l'interazione responsabile con la fauna selvatica.

Travel Essentials

Practical Travel Information

Visa

Visa on Arrival available for most nationalities (30 days, extendable once). Passport must be valid for 6+ months.

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). ATMs are available in Sumbawa Besar and Bima. Carry cash for remote areas and smaller islands.

Language

Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. Sumbawan is the local language. English is spoken by dive guides and crew on Neptune vessels.

Tipping

Customary to tip the crew. A guideline of $15–20 USD per guest per day is appreciated.

What to Pack

Reef-safe sunscreen, hiking shoes for Tambora or Moyo treks, motion sickness medication, and underwater camera.

Health

No mandatory vaccinations. Recommended: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid. DAN dive insurance strongly recommended. Nearest recompression chamber is in Bali.

Electricity

220V, 50Hz with Type C/F plugs (European style). Bring a universal adapter. Power supply can be unreliable in remote areas.

Time Zone

WITA (Central Indonesian Time), UTC+8.

Sunrise over the coastline of Sumbawa, Indonesia

Il Nostro Itinerario

Esplora Sumbawa in Crociera

I nostri itinerari a Sumbawa vi portano nei siti di immersione più spettacolari dell'isola.

Vedi Programma

Il Vostro Viaggio

Cosa È Incluso & Escluso

Cosa È Incluso

  • Liveaboard accommodation
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer
  • Diving activities
  • Three daily main meals
  • Unlimited Satellite Internet
  • Three main daily snacks
  • All-day snacks, coffee / tea
  • Tanks, weights, weight belts
  • Snorkeling gear
  • 4 on 1 diver to guide ratio
  • SUP (Stand-up Paddle board)
  • Kayaking

Non Incluso

  • NITROX
  • 15L tanks
  • Single occupancy cabin
  • Park & Port fees
  • Private dive guide
  • Alcoholic beverages & soft drinks
  • Equipment rental (BCD, Wetsuit, Regulator, etc)

FAQ

Domande Frequenti su Sumbawa

Where is Sumbawa and how do I get there?

Sumbawa is an island in the West Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, located between Lombok and Flores. You can fly to Sumbawa Besar (SWQ) or Bima (BMU) airports from Bali or Jakarta, take a ferry from Lombok to Sumbawa (Poto Tano port, approximately 1.5 hours), or join a liveaboard trip that departs from Labuan Bajo or Bali with Sumbawa as a stop along the route.

How do I see whale sharks in Sumbawa, Indonesia?

Whale sharks in Sumbawa are most commonly encountered in Saleh Bay, particularly near the fishing platforms (bagans) where they aggregate to feed on small fish attracted by the platform lights. The best season for whale shark encounters is between May and October. Our liveaboard itineraries that include Sumbawa are timed to maximize your chances of swimming alongside these gentle giants.

How do I get from Lombok to Sumbawa?

The most common route from Lombok to Sumbawa is by public ferry from Kayangan Harbor in Lombok to Poto Tano Harbor in western Sumbawa, a crossing that takes approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly from Lombok International Airport (LOP) to Sumbawa Besar Airport (SWQ). Our liveaboard trips handle all logistics, eliminating the need to arrange independent transport.

How do I get to Sumbawa from Bali?

From Bali, you can fly directly to Sumbawa Besar (SWQ) or Bima (BMU) with domestic carriers like Wings Air and NAM Air. Alternatively, you can take the scenic overland-and-ferry route via Lombok: fly to Lombok, then ferry to Sumbawa. The easiest option is boarding a Neptune liveaboard from Bali that includes Sumbawa in its itinerary.

How do I get to Moyo Island from Sumbawa?

Moyo Island lies just off the northern coast of Sumbawa, approximately 2 hours by boat from Sumbawa Besar or Ai Bari port. The island is a protected nature reserve with limited tourism infrastructure. Our liveaboard trips include Moyo Island as a diving destination, offering the most comfortable and reliable way to access its pristine reefs and waterfalls.

Is Sumbawa diving suitable for beginners?

Sumbawa offers dive sites for all levels. Moyo Island and the sheltered bays around Sumbawa have gentle currents and excellent visibility, making them ideal for Open Water certified divers. Some sites in Saleh Bay and around Satonda Island may have moderate currents better suited for intermediate to advanced divers.

What else can I do in Sumbawa besides diving?

Sumbawa is world-renowned for surfing, particularly at Lakey Peak near Hu'u on the southern coast. Other activities include hiking to the rim of Mount Tambora (the volcano behind the famous 1815 eruption), trekking through Moyo Island's nature reserve to see waterfalls, visiting traditional Sumbawan villages, and exploring the local markets of Sumbawa Besar.