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Botubarani village in Indonesia’s Gorontalo province has become a destination for tourists seeking to see and swim with whale sharks, AnewZ reports. Residents, whose main source of income was once fishing, now earn money from boat rentals, diving services and drone use.
Ansar Lasimpala, 47, who switched from fishing to the boat business, operates a glass-bottomed boat. He said he earns up to 3 million rupiah ($167) a month, compared with about 400,000 rupiah from fishing. Around 80 people in the village earn income from these activities.
Botubarani became better known in 2016 after videos showing around a dozen whale sharks appearing together went viral on Facebook. Residents say the animals have been seen near the coast for decades, but the videos helped turn the village into a tourist destination.
Tourists come to the area specifically to see the whale sharks. Renee Westerbeek, a 55-year-old Dutch tourist, said she chose Gorontalo province for the opportunity to snorkel with them.
Locals call the whale sharks “Serli,” a shortened form of the Indonesian phrase “sering terlihat,” meaning “often seen.”
Sukirman Tilahunga, who heads a monitoring team established by the fisheries ministry, said waters off Botubarani provide a feeding ground for whale sharks at all stages of their life cycle. Juvenile males, usually 4 to 6 metres long, are commonly seen near the village. Whale sharks can live for up to 100 years and grow to about 18 metres.
Souvenirs featuring whale sharks are on sale at a shop near Botubarani beach. The photo was taken on July 29, 2026, in Bone Bolango regency, Gorontalo province.
Tourism growth raises conservation concerns
Despite the economic benefits, conservationists say frequent feeding and interactions with tourists could disrupt the animals’ natural behaviour and pose risks to their health.
According to estimates by the environmental group Konservasi Indonesia, 699 whale sharks remain in the eastern islands of the Indonesian archipelago. The species is classified as endangered.
Under current regulations, feeding whale sharks is prohibited, and authorities are trying to reduce the practice. Sukirman said the animals come to the area because natural food is available in its waters.
He has also developed a solar-powered marine device that attracts plankton and small fish with light, creating a natural food source for the animals.
Iqbal Herwata Putra, a representative of Konservasi Indonesia, said further measures were needed, including official conduct guidelines for tourism operators.
“If interactions continue from morning until evening, how can these whale sharks carry on with their usual activities?” he said.
