You can enjoy the day trip whale watching tour from naha. Okinawa may not be at the top of your list when you think of bucket list diving destinations, but it should be. Please like, share and comment on the video as it will help others find it and allow us to keep on making videos. A whale watching guide an impressive experience to encounter in okinawa. Whale watching season is on no data okinawa is one of the best locations for whale watching as the winter brings the annual migration of humpback whales to waters off kerama islands where they give birth and nurture their young during the cold months of the year before heading back to their feeding grounds in the northern pacific.
The ocean is both terrifying and fascinating to me, a home to some of my absolute favourite creatures. Winter in okinawa is a sensational time of year for marine leisure activities. Best places for whale watching when to go whale watching. Rausu is a northeastern destination for whale watching. Instead, this subtropical forest offers a quiet and peaceful form of entertainment. Whale watching japan is home to a magnificent range of whales and dolphins, and whale watching cruises provide a sustainable alternative to whaling. Kadena air base, okinawa shortly after she downloaded the entire second season of desperate housewives from itunes, meredith jimenez got a. From november to february, winter in okinawa is much less busy and hotel prices could be cheaper. Whale watching season started and the whales are quite playful so far. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. The program follows paul watson, founder of the sea shepherd conservation society, as he and his crew aboard their various vessels attempt to deter japanese whaling off the coast of antarctica.
They are big and slow, but they love to play and have fun. Discover a group of humpback whales from alaska on your journey and. Peak mating and breeding period of the humpback whale. A view of naha city, okinawa from our boat during the whale watching tour. Diving okinawa guide to diving okinawa with marine life. You can enjoy snorkeling or diving with the goodnatured 4meter long whale sharks and have a truly memorable experience. Departing from both naha and chatan near the onna area, enjoy a morning or afternoon cruise near the zamami islands. Hi everyone my partner and i are heading to japan in april and we are interested in potentially whale watching towards the end of the month.
Feb 20, 2017 thanks to marine house seasir for the great experience. This is the season when humpback whales are confirmed to be off the coast of zamami island, and the. For more comfort, allinclusive deep blue utila offers dedicated whale shark trips in season. Join us on a whale watching tour in the surrounding warm waters of the east china sea.
Our data on temporal trends of humpback whale occurrence in okinawan waters indicated that there were peak periods of mating, birthing, and nurturing, during a breeding season. Aboard the blue line for our whale watching tour in okinawa, japan. The bones of a dead humpback whale that washed ashore at torii station on okinawa were cleaned friday and will be cured for one year before becoming specimens at the local aquariums research center. You may spot cute baby whales swimming along their moms after breeding period. Apr 20, 2018 heres my latest collaboration video with skylum software. But, if you stay at zamami island, you can get opportunities for the many seen of watching whales and touching with beautiful natures. The zamami whale watching association, founded in 1990 on okinawa s zamami island, is committed to ensuring the success of future migrations, and employs an ecofriendly stance when conducting tours.
Kerama islands are one of the best whale watching destinations of japan, very likely to encounter wild whales during tours. For travelers with more time, a trip to zamami island is an opportunity to tour one of okinawas most beautiful outlying islands while checking out the whales. Some humpback whales sticking their flippers out of the water in okinawa, japan. On this page, sail from each port on the main island of okinawa whale watching based on the activity japan reservation data of last season dec. The orca is the perfect option for people looking for the easiest and safest way to enjoy okinawa s fascinating underwater world without even changing into a swimsuit. We help you experience something new and create memories that will last a lifetime. If you want to go whale watching in okinawa, the season starts in late january and ends in late march. March marks the opening of the beach season in okinawa. The first season of whale wars was the most watched program ever for animal planet, capturing more than one million viewers for. Thus, pregnant females might give birth after midfebruary and they nurse their calves toward the end of the breeding season in okinawa. If you have never seen a whale in real life before, you are missing out on something big.
Okinawa offers a number of whale watching tours between april and december. Next is the enormous, dynamic kuroshio sea tank, where you can observe the worlds biggest fish as well as whale sharks and manta rays, which, in a world first. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Massive though not self conscious about their weight, they swim through the ocean as the giants of the sea. Humpback whale spotted breathing out of the water in okinawa, japan. December to march is the off season, given the prevalence of typhoons and cooler temperatures. Whale watching experience japan inside japan tours.
During winter, humpback whales visit the seas of okinawa to breed. Winter whale watching cruise from naha or chatan dec. See whales as large as 15 meters play in the sea around the zamami islands on this popular whale watching tour. If youre tired of seeing other travel bloggers claim they have the ultimate guide after spending a week on the island, my eyes roll really far back into my head then this guide is for you. Much of the action depicted in this season occurred between november 2007 and february 2008. May 30, 2016 the ocean is both terrifying and fascinating to me, a home to some of my absolute favourite creatures. Check off swimming with whale sharks off your bucket list when you travel to okinawa. Okinawa divers against whale shark tours may 23, 2016 this page is dedicated to educating the public about the cruelty that is happening to the whale sharks kept in nets in okinawa japan. We were told to arrive there at noon for our saturday dive. Watch these mammothsized creatures surface around the kerama. Whale watching in okinawa mustlovejapan video travel guide. Winter whale watching cruise from naha or chatan, okinawa. Diving in okinawa quick facts located at the southwestern tip of the japanese archipelago, okinawa is comprised of 160 islands, 49 of which are inhabited, spreading kilometres620 miles from east to west and 400 kilometres250 miles from north to south. The whale shark is a slowmoving filter feeding shark and the largest known living fish, growing as long as 40 feet and weighing in excess of 20 tons.
A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale. In the present study, we analyzed data collected during the winter breeding season of humpback whales in. Zamami also offers landbased conservatories for whale watching, a great venue for those that may suffer from seasickness. However, japanese whaling on an industrial scale began around the 1890s when japan started to participate in the modern whaling industry, at that time an industry in which many countries participated. I much prefer whale watching from motobu rather than naha as the whales are located much closer to the port. Contributed by sarah forte whale sharks and okinawa. While it is possible to dive okinawa year round, the peak diving season in okinawa spans from midjuly to early september. We moved to okinawa, japan for a year and a half together, explored as much as possible, vacationed asia, and then we moved to las vegas, nevada. Yoyo male40 aged i saw the humpback whale this time. Whale watching in oki nawa is one of the popular tourism in okinawa in winter. Whale watching okinawa including whale jump youtube. This time is my 7 times to come to okinawa, but it is the first time to go.
Exploring okinawa s 3rd tallest mountain in search for some nature and the wonderful view id heard others mention, i took to mt. I take to the waters off the coast of motobu, okinawa to try and photograph humpback whales. Mar 14, 20 humpback whale spotted breathing out of the water in okinawa, japan. This is a video i shot on 7 april 09 at the okinawa, japan aquarium while on vacation there with my family. Discover a group of humpback whales migrating to their. See humpback whales leap out of the water, known as breaching, and watch them as they swim around the islands in early spring. If tc2 occurs prior to the regular swim team bus pickup, the buses do not make pickups. So while i only did one dive in okinawa, i can honestly say it. One of the lighthouses in naha city, okinawa, japan. Reservations through torii scuba locker are required 24 hours in advance. The orca underwater sightseeing cruise offers the opportunity to observe colorful tropical fish swimming right in front of you, in a comfortable and dry environment. Just as expected, my wife and two daughters were suffering. Calendar for better readability of the table, pass into the landscape mode. Whale lovers attention whale watching season okinawa japan.
Voyagin is a marketplace to help you discover and book the best things to do, attraction tickets, and unique local tours. Season 1 consisted of 7 episodes and aired from november 7, 2008 to december 19, 2008. It is a more expensive and more complicated alternative to using a usg or nahabased whale watching tour, but its certainly a fun weekend activity that adds more depth to the whale watching experience and can provide a refreshing taste of small town okinawa. According to your preference, youll be able to choose between a morning or afternoon tour departing from naha or chatan, with a hotel pick up even included from naha area hotels. Whale watching is a highly profitable venture in japan, however, despite this humane alternative the slaughter of whales and dolphin roundups still continue. Zamami will host its 2011 whale watching fiesta on 21 march. Just short tour to zamami island, okinawa, japan to witness whale humpback whale migration. Sadly japan sometimes hits the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and the whole world knows that japan has been stubborn in its defiance of the international whaling committees ban on the. Winter whale watching halfday tour from motobu jan 11 apr 5, 2020 get up close to humpback whales as they swim and play in the waters in the motobu sea. The mother whale nurses the calf without feeding herself and loses a lot of weight during this time. The main reason for going there would be diving, but being winter im a bit concerned about the conditions.
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins cetaceans in their natural habitat. Feel the magic of whale watching in okinawa on this three hour cruise and come face to face with natures most majestic creatures. Categories nature a whale watching guide an impressive experience to encounter in okinawa. Get ready for the inside scoop because this guide has everything you need to know about traveling on okinawa. The haari boat races are also a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Spatial distribution and habitat use patterns of humpback whales. In this activity in okinawa you will have the unique chance to swim among whale sharks, the worlds biggest species of fish.
Join the okinawa whale watching tour to get a close look at the incredible humpback whales off the coast of okinawa with this winter whale watching tour that. Whale watching in okinawa is one of the popular tourism in okinawa in winter. This is the season when humpback whales are confirmed to be off the coast of zamami island, and the best season for whale watching is finally here. Okinawa divers against whale shark tours home facebook. During the season, a few whale watching boats launch daily from okinawa island or zamami island. Thanks to marine house seasir for the great experience.
So this ultimate okinawa travel guide has been years in the making. A humpback whale breaches the surface as whale watchers on boats look on. Must go to meet these two 8 meter whale sharks in okinawa. Whale watching tours run in november, december, and sometimes january, which is the season for shortfinned pilot whales and sperm whales.
Dead whale washes ashore at army recreational area on okinawa. Peak mating and breeding period of the humpback whale facebook. Whale watching tour okinawa, japan i am uniquely and. The main reason for going okinawa diving in decemberjan uary japan lonely planet forum thorn tree. The cerulean blue, surely should you find okinawa how to spend looking for. Whale sharks are actually sharks but, like whales, are filter feeders and enjoy a diet of plankton and other small fish, so they do not pose a harm to humans.
Spring is also a time of year when visitors can attend unique events like the iejima lily festival, starting the last week of april. I am planning a trip to japan around decemberjanuary, and i was thinking of adding on a trip to okinawa for a few weeks. In the previous year, over 22,000 guests hopped on board to see majestic 15 meter long whales swim in their natural habitat. Giant whale sharks and mantas at the okinawa aquarium in japan. Do not miss the opportunity to encounter the most giant mammal in the world. Depart from yomitan and dive or snorkel with the whale sharks. Snorkeling, diving, and fun diving experience with whale. Sub tropical, high humidity, ocasional typhoons in the summer, rainy season is in may. Whale watching season is on okinawanderer okinawa news. Why diving in okinawa, japan should be on your bucket list. Continue your marine adventure with an optional ticket to the churaumi aquarium for a day of fun. Witness majestic whales on this popular whale watching tour from naha, okinawa. From january to march, whales visit okinawa to raise their babies.
Japanese whaling, in terms of active hunting of whales, is estimated by the japan whaling association to have begun around the 12th century. Mar 18, 2016 just short tour to zamami island, okinawa, japan to witness whale humpback whale migration. From january to march, the ocean around okinawa is in full action. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf.
Orca underwater sightseeing cruiseokinawa island guide. Okinawa isp mediatti keeping tabs on how much you download. Dolphins swim team marine corps community services okinawa. Its located on the pacific ocean side of hokkaido, on the shiretoko peninsula, which has been recognized as a world heritage site since 2005. If so, definitely add a wildlife cruise to your vacation itinerary. The fact is, i lived on okinawa for three years, i speak japanese, i immersed myself deep into the culture by taking karate and sanshin okinawa snake skin three stringed banjo lessons, and i definitely have a locals perspective on what can make your visit to okinawa incredible. The kind of whale is humpback whale that travel from alaska. Whale watching okinawa including whale jump rgexposures. Winter whale watching halfday tour from motobu jan 11 veltra.
So i choose to join the tour that only in this season whale watching tour. Whale wars is a weekly american documentarystyle reality television series that premiered on november 7, 2008 on the animal planet cable channel. If you want to go whale watching in okinawa, the season starts in late january. Torii scuba locker offers divers a chance to interact with these gentle giants. If, like me, you prefer to see them in their rightful place the ocean, then youre in luck if you happen to be in okinawa between january to april. Okinawa is one of the best locations in the world for whale watching, and winter is the ideal season for this exciting activity.
Whale watching season in okinawa features okinawa travel info. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. From late december to early april, the majestic humpback whales make their way to the warm waters of okinawa for what is believed to be for breeding and birthing purposes. They are, by far, the largest living nonmammalian vertebrate, and are thought to have originated about 60 million years ago. So the mother comes here to warmer seas to rear the calf. One of the most popular whale watching tours in okinawa. The beach season in okinawa usually ends in the end of october, however, there are numbers of beaches that are open through the year, especially on remote islands. Witness majestic whales on this popular winter whale watching tour from naha or chatan, okinawa.