[Winter Only] Kerama Islands Whale Watching Tour from Naha in Okinawa with Round-Trip Transfers & Photos | Japan

About this tour

Book your Mikitravel Kerama Islands whale watching tour for a 98% encounter rate with humpback whales and enjoy a memorable winter experience.

• Explore Zamami Island in Okinawa, surrounded by rich coral reefs and tropical fish, creating the perfect sea area for humpback whales to breed in winter 
• Experience the exclusive winter-only whale watching tour in Okinawa, encountering the world’s largest mammal, the 30-ton, 15-meter-long humpback whale, capturing touching moments
• Ride a high-speed motorboat, feel the splashing waves, experience hull vibrations, and connect with the whales
• Witness wild humpback whales up close on the boat, immersing yourself in the charm of marine ecology
• Enjoy convenient pick-up and drop-off services from hotels in Naha city
• Easily access the whale watching guide book (Chinese/English/Korean/Japanese) by scanning the QR code on site
• Download the best photos of the day’s experience and previous whale watching adventures for free

The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.

— What You Can Expect —

Experience the magic of the warm Okinawa Sea as humpback whales arrive from December to April, choosing the pristine waters around Zamami Island in the Kerama Islands for breeding amidst rich coral reefs and vibrant tropical fish schools. This exclusive winter whale watching tour unveils the largest humpback whales, weighing around 30 tons and measuring approximately 15 meters long. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the world’s largest mammal and capture truly touching moments during this season. Feel the rush of excitement on a high-speed motorboat, immersing yourself in the splashing waves, hull vibrations, and the incredible connection with the whales. Watch wild humpback whales up close, delving into the captivating marine ecology. Enjoy seamless access with complimentary pick-up and drop-off services from hotels in Naha City.

— Important Information —

• Meeting time: 8:30 am / 1:00 pm
• Departure time: 9:00 am / 1:30 pm
• Meeting point: Inside Naha Mie Port (20 Nishi 3-chome, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture)
• Return point: Tour ends at the meeting point
• Transportation: Go by yourself or enjoy complimentary pick-up service when staying at a Naha city hotel. Receive pick-up time details via email, with morning departures notified the evening before and afternoon departures around 11:00 am on the day itself

— Itinerary Information —

[Free Shuttle Pickup Points & Times]

• Important: Please arrive at least 5 minutes early and look for staff wearing blue uniforms with the word “NEWS”.

• Route A:
  – 08:00 / 12:40 FamilyMart Saion Square (2 Chome-1-1 Asato, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:05 / 12:45 Tenpusu Naha (Calbee+ Okinawa Kokusai Street, 3 Chome-2-2 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:10 / 12:50 Hotel Collective (2 Chome-5-7 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:15 / 12:55 Kenmin Hiroba Prefectural Citizens Park (1-chōme-2 Izumizaki, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:25 / 13:05 Lawson Kariyushi LCH Izumizaki (1 Chome-11-8 Izumizaki, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:30 / 13:10 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Naha (3-15 Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa)

• Route B:
  – 08:00 / 12:40 APA Hotel Naha Matsuyama (1 Chome-4-16 Matsuyama, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:05 / 12:45 Prince Smart Inn Naha (2-4-13 Matsuyama, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:10 / 12:50 Hotel Aqua Citta Naha (3 Chome-2-20 Maejima, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:20 / 13:00 Nest Hotel Naha Nishi (1 Chome-20-19 Nishi, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:25 / 13:05 LOISIR HOTEL NAHA (3 Chome-2-1 Nishi, Naha, Okinawa)
  – 08:30 / 13:10 Hotel SANSUI NAHA (2 Chome-25-1 Tsuji, Naha, Okinawa)

[Chance of Whale Sightings]

Many travelers ask whether there’s a difference in sighting success between morning and afternoon tours or if rainy weather affects the likelihood.

This is a nature-led experience, and sightings depend entirely on the whales’ behavior. Based on years of experience, sightings occur on most days during the tour. However, there are rare occasions when whales may not be spotted due to a change in their behavior patterns or activity areas. During the 4-month whale-watching season, missed sightings are extremely rare, typically only a few days. Please note that refund is only possible during Feb 1, 2025, to Mar 19, 2025 if there’s no whale sightings. Otherwise, refunds are not available for other dates.

[Essential Items to Bring]

• Motion Sickness Medication: Okinawa’s winter seas can be rough due to the northeast monsoon. Please take motion sickness medication before the tour as it is not available on-site.
• Windproof and Warm Clothing: The sea breeze can be strong and cold. Wear a windproof jacket and avoid loose hats.
• Non-Slip Sport Shoes: The boat may be wet or bumpy. Wear non-slip shoes and avoid high heels.
• Camera/Phone Strap: Secure your devices with straps to prevent them from falling into the sea.
• Baby Carrier: For infants (0-2 years old), a baby carrier is required for safety.

— Itinerary —

[Morning Tour]

• 08:00-08:30: Shuttle Pickup
• 08:30: Meet at Naha Miegusuku Port
• 09:00: Depart
• Whale Watching (Up to 3 Hours): Return to port earlier if whales are spotted quickly.
• 12:00: Return to port, tour ends (hotel drop-off)

[Afternoon Tour]

• 12:40-13:10: Shuttle Pickup
• 13:00: Meet at Naha Miegusuku Port
• 13:30: Depart
• Whale Watching (Up to 3 Hours): Return to port earlier if whales are spotted quickly.
• 16:30: Return to port, tour ends (hotel drop-off)

[Whale Watching Meeting Point]

• Address: Naha Miegusuku Port (3-chōme-20-20 Nishi, Naha)
• Look for the “NEWS” flag