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Whale sharks — the world's largest fish, reaching up to 12 metres in length — are occasionally spotted in Komodo National Park waters. While Komodo is not a guaranteed whale shark destination like the Maldives or Oslob, encounters do occur and are among the most memorable experiences a diver can have.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Best months | December–March (wet season) |
| Trigger | Plankton blooms driven by nutrient-rich upwellings from the Indian Ocean |
| Encounter probability | Low — perhaps 5–10% chance on any given trip during peak months |
| Where | Open water between sites, occasionally at manta cleaning stations, near Manta Alley |
| Depth | Surface to 20 metres — often spotted from boats before divers enter the water |
Whale shark encounters in Komodo are unpredictable and opportunistic. They are not the target of specific dive plans but may appear during transit between sites, at the beginning or end of a dive, or cruising through a dive site. When spotted from the boat, guides may offer snorkellers and divers the chance to enter the water for a brief encounter.
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