RRI.CO.ID, Gorontalo - The whale shark tourism site in Botubarani Village, Kabila Bone Subdistrict, Bone Bolango Regency, has emerged as a premier marine tourism highlight in Gorontalo, offering visitors rare, up-close encounters with gentle giants while driving the local coastal economy.

Operating since 2016, the site stands out for its community-based management model, where local residents directly operate and benefit from tourism services. Visitors to the coastal destination can choose from several water activity options, ranging from glass-bottom boat tours and paddle boarding to snorkeling and diving alongside whale sharks.

To ensure transparency and protect both tourists and service providers, all activity rates are strictly governed by official village regulations.

Glass-bottom boat packages are set at IDR 450,000 (approximately USD 25) per person, standard boat rentals cost IDR 100,000 for three passengers, while site access fees for snorkeling and diving are set at IDR 35,000 and IDR 60,000 per person, respectively. Additionally, 10 percent of service revenue is contributed directly to the village administration to support local development.

This community-based management model has drawn praise from local tourism awareness group representatives, who highlighted the tangible economic benefits and well-regulated service system for coastal residents.

Chairman of the Botubarani Whale Shark Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), Wahab Matoka, noted that the destination has provided a reliable source of supplemental income for local boat owners.

"When talking about improving the community's income here, that has been fulfilled. The boats available here are privately owned by local residents," Wahab said in Gorontalo on Thursday, July 30, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Wahab also emphasized the importance of standardized pricing enforced through official village regulations to maintain visitor comfort and harmonious relations between locals and tourists.

"Regarding rates, nothing is marked up and nothing is reduced, because we also want to avoid disputes between visitors and community members, ten percent goes to the village, because here the station only charges service fees," Wahab explained. ***