How likely am I to see whale sharks at Saleh Bay, and when is the best season?
Whale sharks gather near local fishermen's bagan platforms in Saleh Bay, where small fish attract them close to the surface. Sightings are common but not guaranteed on any single sailing. April–October (dry season) is best, with June–September offering the calmest seas for a longer encounter.
What is the difference between sailing from Lombok and flying straight into Labuan Bajo?
Flying takes about 1–1.5 hours and goes directly to Komodo National Park. Sailing from Lombok is a 4D3N journey that adds the Sumbawa crossing, Saleh Bay whale sharks, and Tambora-area beaches — places you cannot reach on a standard Labuan Bajo-only tour.
Will I get seasick on the crossing, and when is it roughest?
The open-water stretch near Sangeang Island, typically on the second night of sailing, has the strongest swells on the route — rougher than the sheltered waters inside Komodo National Park. Bring motion-sickness tablets or patches, and consider requesting a mid-ship cabin.
What does a typical day look like on the 4D3N liveaboard?
Days alternate between early-morning trekking or snorkeling stops, midday sailing between islands, afternoon swimming breaks, and evening anchorage with dinner and stargazing on deck — with one or two overnight sailing legs between destinations.
Are the cabins private, or is this a shared-dorm boat?
Sukha Sail offers both: private en-suite cabins (Kanawa, Manjarite, Padar, Rinca) with air conditioning, and lower-deck share cabins for solo travelers or budget groups — so privacy level depends on the cabin tier you book, not a fixed dorm setup.
What should I pack that I wouldn't need for a single-day Komodo tour?
Motion-sickness medication, a light jacket for breezy mornings/nights at sea, a dry bag, a power bank (charging access is limited at times), cash for park fees and tips, and swimwear/reef-safe sunscreen for multiple snorkel days rather than just one.
Is the Lombok–Komodo sailing crossing safe?
Boats on this route carry standard maritime safety equipment (life rafts, life jackets, EPIRB, fire extinguishers, radio), and the corridor through Saleh Bay and along Sumbawa is a regularly traveled route for licensed tour operators. Sea conditions are the main variable, not vessel risk.
How many nights are actually spent sleeping on the boat vs. on land?
All three nights of the 4D3N trip are spent aboard the boat, anchored in sheltered bays overnight — not sailing underway the whole night, except on the designated open-water crossing leg near Sangeang.
Are the whale sharks at Saleh Bay wild, or are they fed/baited?
Local fishermen's bagan platforms in the bay naturally attract small fish, which in turn draws whale sharks close to the surface. This is a longstanding local fishing-community practice, not a staged tourist feeding — the whale sharks remain wild and free to leave at any time.
Do I need swimming or snorkeling experience to join the whale shark swim?
Basic swimming ability is recommended since it's open-water snorkeling, not a pool or shallow reef. You can also observe from the boat or wear a life jacket if you prefer not to swim directly near the whale sharks.
