Sabah's biggest seasonal visitor
Whale shark
The biggest fish in the sea passes through Sabah's northern waters in the spring months. A guide to the migratory season and where divers encounter them.
Highlights
- Migratory filter feeders the length of a boat passing through Sabah's waters
- Sightings cluster roughly from March to September around Lankayan Island
- Encounters are incidental surface sightings or snorkelling opportunities
- Seasonal visitors to the protected Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area
- Strict no-touch code of conduct applies to all marine encounters
- Protected by Sabah law and international CITES regulations
Overview
They are the biggest fish in the sea. A gentle filter feeder the length of a boat passing quietly through the blue water is the encounter most divers hope for. In Sabah these animals are migratory visitors. They pass through the northern waters in a season clustering roughly from March to September. During these spring months they move through the Sulu Sea to feed on seasonal blooms.
The most frequent reports come from the waters around Lankayan. If you dive here in the spring you have a chance of crossing paths with one. The encounters are usually incidental surface sightings or a sudden shadow overhead on a safety stop. Spotting one is a matter of being in the right part of the sea at the right time. A sighting is a true bonus for divers exploring the shallow patch reefs.
What it is
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a cartilaginous fish rather than a true whale. You recognise them instantly by their sheer scale. They have broad flat heads and a distinctive pattern of pale spots and stripes over a dark grey back. Each animal carries a unique pattern. Researchers use these markings to identify individuals.
They are filter feeders. They swim with their massive mouths open to sieve plankton and small fish from the water column. They move with a slow sweep of their large tail. They appear unhurried to a diver yet they cover ground much faster than a person can swim. They pose no threat to humans.
Where you see it in Sabah
The primary corridor for these visitors lies in the Sulu Sea off the east coast. They pass through the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA). This 46,317-hectare protected zone surrounds Lankayan Island Dive Resort. Around the island you dive a shallow continental shelf where depths rarely exceed 30 to 35 metres. This contrasts sharply with the deep vertical drop-offs of Sipadan.
During the migratory window they are occasionally spotted in the blue water above the deeper Lankayan wrecks. With luck you might spot one from the dive boat travelling between sites. The boat crew keeps watch on the surface. If they spot a dorsal fin breaking the water they position the boat carefully. The encounters are usually snorkelling sessions rather than scuba dives. With luck they also swim past divers hanging on a safety stop above the artificial reefs.
When
Whale sharks pass through between March and September and are seen occasionally. Their visits coincide with changes in the sea temperature and localised nutrient blooms. The exact timing shifts slightly each year. They are seasonal visitors rather than resident animals. The water temperature remains a comfortable 26 to 30 degrees Celsius year-round. To improve your chances it helps to consult a guide on when to dive Sabah and plan your trip during these months.
What it does
Divers and snorkellers observe them feeding or travelling. They glide just below the surface to scoop up nutrient-dense water. Sometimes they hang vertically to pump water through their gills. They are entirely focused on their food source. They ignore people provided everyone keeps a respectful distance. If a boat engine revs or a diver swims directly at their face they dive deep and disappear. The thrill comes from sharing the water with such a massive animal going about its natural business.
Photographing it
Capturing a clear image of an animal this large takes preparation. The water around Lankayan often carries a high sediment load from mainland river systems. The sediment shows up in photographs as fine snowy particles. Visibility averages between 3 and 15 metres. A wide-angle lens is essential to fit the animal in the frame from a short distance.
Be sure to turn off your strobes. Flash photography startles them and violates local etiquette. Use natural light. Keep the sun behind you if possible. Do not chase them. Swim parallel to the animal. If you kick hard to catch up you will only photograph the tail. The shot people want shows the wide mouth and the distinctive spotted flanks.
Good habits around them
Give the animal space and follow your guide's briefing.
- Keep a respectful distance from the body and tail.
- Never touch the animal.
- Do not block its forward path. If it turns toward you move aside.
- Enter the water quietly. A loud splash will drive them down.
- Observe them passively.
Conservation
Sabah enforces strict protective laws. Marine turtles are completely protected under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. The state treats the possession or hunting of protected marine life as a serious offence carrying heavy penalties. The species also gained international protection under CITES Appendix I in force 5 March 2026.
The SIMCA zone operates as a strict no-take area managed by Reef Guardian. Your daily conservation fee helps pay for radar tracking systems and high-speed sea patrols. The area became the first marine site in Malaysia to achieve IUCN Green List status in May 2022. The patrols protect the reefs and fish you come here to see. You can read more about these efforts on the conservation page. Similar protective measures apply to the resident green turtle populations nesting on the island.
Where to dive with them
The only resort in the immediate area offers a quiet base for exploring the patch reefs and wrecks. You reach the island by speedboat from Sandakan in about 90 minutes depending on sea conditions. You dive shallow sites on the continental shelf. The pace is deliberately slow. Many visitors book a Two Coasts trip to experience both the macro life of the Sulu Sea and the pelagic action of the Celebes Sea.
Lankayan Wreck
Skill level: Advanced Beginner | Depth range: 15–24 m This confiscated Chinese wooden fishing vessel was scuttled by Reef Guardian and the Sabah government to create an artificial reef. It sits upright and attracts giant groupers and bamboo sharks. During their migration whale sharks occasionally pass in the blue water above the structure.
Mosquito Wreck
Skill level: Intermediate | Depth range: 15–25 m An authentic Japanese WWII Mosquito Fleet vessel lying heavily degraded on its side. Dense schools of jacks and barracuda patrol the perimeter. Divers looking upward occasionally report passing shadows in the blue water above the intact bow gun.
Nearby places and alternatives
Lankayan
Dive Lankayan Island in Sabah's Sulu Sea.
More details →
Lankayan Island Dive Resort
Discover Lankayan Island Dive Resort in Sabah's Sulu Sea.
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Two Coasts: Sipadan and Lankayan
Combine the deep walls of Sipadan with the macro wrecks of Lankayan on a two-week Sabah itinerary.
More details →
When to dive Sabah
Find out the best months to dive Sabah.
More details →
Conservation in the Semporna islands
Learn how marine parks, strict Sipadan permit limits, turtle hatcheries and active coral restoration protect the reefs of Semporna for visiting divers.
More details →Send your planned dates and the names of everyone coming. Tell the team about your current certification level. The team comes back with what can be arranged for a spring trip to the Sulu Sea.