Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Gorontalo: A Complete Guide & Honest Review

Have you ever dreamed of swimming alongside the ocean’s gentle giants? While there are a few famous spots to see whale sharks in Indonesia, Gorontalo in North Sulawesi offers one of the most accessible experiences. Just 14 kilometers from the city centre, these magnificent creatures gather incredibly close to the shore.

However, as magical as it sounds, a trip to the Gorontalo whale shark point comes with its own set of logistical challenges—especially when it’s time to head home.

In this complete Gorontalo Whale Shark Guide, we share our honest firsthand experience from our visit. We break down the exact costs (from boat rentals to snorkel gear), the booking process, and what it’s really like to be in the water with these giant fish. More importantly, we’ll share a crucial travel warning about the “return trip trap” where Grab taxis disappear, and how the incredible kindness of local Indonesians saved us from missing our onward transit to Manado!

🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: 【インドネシア・ゴロンタロ】港からすぐ！ジンベエザメシュノーケリング完全ガイド

Where is Gorontalo? A Quick Guide to Sulawesi’s Hidden Capital

Gorontalo is a city on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It has a population of approximately 200,000 and is the capital of Gorontalo Province. Although the population is relatively large, it is not very crowded, probably due to its large area (about 65 square kilometres).

Along the coast, 14 km southeast of the city centre, there is a spot where whale sharks can be seen.

Our Snorkelling Reviews in Indonesia:
➡ Raja Ampat Snorkelling Guide: How to DIY Kri Island, Nab Boat Rides, and Review of 15 World-Class Spots
➡ Snorkelling in the Togean Islands: Honest Reviews
➡ Maratua Island Snorkeling Guide: Best Guesthouses, Tips, and Hidden Spots
➡ Biak Island: Snorkeling and Sightseeing
➡ Bali Snorkelling Spots Review: around Amed Beach in Rainy Season

How to Get to the Gorontalo Whale Shark Point from the City Centre

From the hotel where we were staying we arranged a taxi using the Grab app. The Grab fare was 67,000 rupiah.

Gorontalo Whale Shark Fee: Exact Costs for Boats, Snorkelling, and Gear

The whale shark viewing spot is a few metres offshore and is reached by a small boat.

Boats can accommodate up to three people plus a boatman and cost Rp 80,000 per boat. Snorkelling costs an additional Rp 35,000 per person and diving costs Rp 60,000 per person. In addition, snorkelling equipment rental is extra.

A Quick Note on Ethics: The Gorontalo Whale Shark Debate

Before you plan your trip, it is worth addressing an important aspect of this experience. Swimming with whale sharks in Gorontalo is highly convenient, but it is also a subject of ongoing debate among marine conservationists and eco-conscious travellers.

The reason these massive creatures gather so incredibly close to the shore is due to feeding. Local fishermen feed them waste products from a nearby shrimp factory, which keeps the whale sharks returning to the same spot daily.

On one hand, this unique setup has put Gorontalo on the tourist map, providing a vital source of income for the local community and raising local awareness about protecting these gentle giants. On the other hand, marine biologists raise valid concerns: feeding wild animals can alter their natural migration patterns, make them overly dependent on humans, and increase the risk of injuries from boat propellers.

While we found seeing them to be an incredible experience, we believe it is essential to approach this activity with a deep sense of responsibility. If you choose to visit, please make sure to follow the local guidelines strictly to minimize your impact:

• Never touch the whale sharks. Keep a safe distance of at least 3 to 4 metres at all times.
• Do not use flash photography under any circumstances.
• Use reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen, or better yet, wear a long-sleeved rash guard to avoid chemical runoff in the water.
• Avoid making loud noises or splashing excessively when entering the water.

Ultimately, the choice to visit is up to each individual traveller. But if you do decide to go, being a respectful guest in their home is the absolute least we can do.

What It’s Really Like: Snorkelling with Giant Whale Sharks in Gorontalo

After paying the fee, you will be asked to go towards the beach. There is a row of small boats where you can board the boat with the boatman.

Once on board, you are ready to go. You will find that it is a good swimming distance from the beach, where you can see and snorkel with the whale sharks.

We were out in the ocean for about half an hour and saw two large whale sharks.

There is a changing room with showers.

Our Snorkelling Reviews in Indonesia:
➡ Raja Ampat Snorkelling Guide: How to DIY Kri Island, Nab Boat Rides, and Review of 15 World-Class Spots
➡ Snorkelling in the Togean Islands: Honest Reviews
➡ Maratua Island Snorkeling Guide: Best Guesthouses, Tips, and Hidden Spots
➡ Biak Island: Snorkeling and Sightseeing
➡ Bali Snorkelling Spots Review: around Amed Beach in Rainy Season

The Return Trip Trap: Why Getting Back to Gorontalo City is a Challenge

Getting back to Gorontalo City from the whale shark viewing spot was not as easy as it was on the way there. Grab taxis were not available due to a traffic jam in the city centre, and we were told that there were no taxis available.

We saw a few motorbike taxis which are called bentor carrying two passengers, but were consistently full. The market price to Gorontalo city is said to be 15,000 rupiah per person.

Stranded at the Coast: How Local Kindness Saved Our Transit to Manado

When it was time to go home, we couldn’t find any taxis or bentors and were getting a bit impatient, when an Indonesian woman who had also come to see whale sharks came to the parking lot. I spoke to her and she was very friendly and agreed to give us a lift back to town.

In fact, we had booked a car to Manado after visiting whale sharks, and we were running out of time. It was frustrating because of the congestion around the market in Gorontalo, but we were able to get a proper lift back to our hotel. Indonesians are really kind people.

Next Trip: How We Travelled from Gorontalo to Manado and then to Bunaken Island