Dive site · access from Derawan Archipelago (Derawan, Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua)
Talisayan Whale Shark Bagans
Not a dive site.
- Depth
- 0–5m
- Current
- Mild
- Minimum level
- Open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- Snorkel-only interaction with whale sharks around bagan lift-net fishing platforms
- Roughly 2h by boat from Derawan on a 5am departure, mid-June to mid-September
- Food-attracted animals; WWF Indonesia's code of conduct bans feeding, touching and chasing
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Conditions can change. Confirm depth, current and access with a local operator.
Access and timing
Plan this through Derawan Archipelago (Derawan, Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua)
Best overall months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Derawan Archipelago (Derawan, Sangalaki, Kakaban, Maratua)
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Talisayan Whale Shark Bagans.
Reef manta ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Pelagic thresher shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Whale shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | occasional |
| June | peak season |
| July | peak season |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Bigeye trevally
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Grey reef shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked August 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Get to know the right whale shark interaction tour, WWF Indonesia
- Whale Shark Point, Scuba Junkie Sangalaki
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.