Okinawa Whale Watching: Choose from three departure locations: Naha, Chatan, or Motobu
★ Winter-limited Okinawa whale watching experience! From December to April each year, the success rate of whale watching is as high as 98%. It’s an unmissable experience in Okinawa during winter. ★ Departures available from Naha, Chatan, and Motobu, making it easy to integrate into your travel plans. Whale watching is convenient from the north, central, and south. ★ [Naha Departure (Japanese) Tour] Offers free round-trip transfers from designated locations.
What to expect
Okinawa's whale watching tours are an unmissable winter experience! Every year from December to April, humpback whales visit the waters of Okinawa's Kerama Islands to find food, mate, and give birth to their calves. During this period, the number of humpback whales in the Kerama waters can reach 300 to 500, and over a thousand identified humpback whales have been confirmed. This makes the area a gathering place for them, resulting in a whale watching success rate as high as 98%!
【Departing from Naha (Japanese)】 ★ Whale watching guarantee period: 2027/2/1-2027/3/14 ★ Uses a more stable large catamaran compared to traditional speedboats ★ Free download of whale explanation booklet ★ Free download of activity photos from the day and past beautiful whale photos ★ Free round-trip transfer from designated locations in Naha city ★ In addition to the basic plan, a “Seasickness Prevention Plan” including anti-motion sickness bracelets, glasses, and raincoats is also available
【Departing from Naha (Chinese)】 ★ Whale watching guarantee period: 2027/2/1-2027/3/14 ★ Accompanied by Chinese-speaking staff for barrier-free communication ★ Multi-language audio guide
【Departing from Chatan (Japanese/English)】 ★ Whale watching guarantee period: 2026/2/1-2026/3/14 ★ Near American Village ★ Multi-language audio guide
【Departing from Motobu (Japanese)】 ★ Near Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium ★ Free whale explanation booklet provided ★ Welcome drink ★ Free download of activity photos from the day and past beautiful whale photos ★ Whale watching near Ie Island, with only a few boats, clear and uncrowded views, and a whale encounter rate as high as 98%










Reviews
It was so amazing to see whales passing under the boat, spouting water, and even jumping right in front of us! We visited for our baby's first birthday and our older child's 11th birthday, and it was safe and great! There was a Korean staff member who could explain safety precautions and provide necessary information, which was 👍👍. The boat was clean, and the large parking lot right in front made it easy to park our rental car! Boat condition: Great! Guide: Very friendly and we were able to have a safe trip! Schedule: We participated in the afternoon schedule and were happy to see so many whales! Seasickness medicine is a must as the waves are strong!
The pick up was on time and the driver was very friendly. we were brought to the pier for embarkation. Every staff was very polite and welcome us onboard. During the pre-sail safety talk, the guide spoke in Japanese 99% of the time, but there were cards written in a few languages provided to us hence there was no issue in understanding the safety instructions. Nonetheless we had no idea what the guide was explaining about subsequently. We were lucky to be able to sight a few whales that day albeit a bit far to see clearly. Luckily we were able to download the pictures taken by the staff. Overall a good trip to take if you are in Okinawa during this period.
This was my family's first time visiting Okinawa, and we decided to book with News Company. Although the explanation was in Japanese, they provided us with a Chinese instruction manual. The pick-up and drop-off were very convenient, and our captain was really great, ensuring we could all see the whales head-on and up close. Since we had two elderly family members over 80 years old, we didn't go up to the ship's bow to watch. Even though we were sitting in our seats, the staff thoughtfully opened the plastic door for us, allowing us to clearly see the sea and the whales. The only downside was the long journey to get there, which really made you feel nauseous, but the return trip was quick. I recommend not eating too much before going, and also avoiding dairy products, otherwise you'll easily get dizzy and nauseous. Eating something sour might be more comfortable than taking motion sickness medicine. Plums (to keep on hand) are also a good choice.
We had a very positive experience with this whale watching tour overall. The transfer was on time, the boat was well prepared with motion sickness remedies, and the crew was helpful throughout the trip. After about an hour of searching, we found two whales and were able to observe them for almost another hour. The whales were very active and even breached out of the water, which was truly unforgettable. The only downside was that the guide seemed to avoid interacting with our family. We had to ask for basic information, materials, and the photo download link ourselves, which felt a bit uncomfortable. Despite this, the tour itself was well organized and memorable, and we are glad we joined this experience
I stopped to see the whales and heard their songs. The only regret is that I could only see the side of the whales, and they were far away. Although I took photos and videos, I never saw the moment when the whale jumped out of the water. A little disappointed, the staff also gave the passengers photos of the whales taken with their telephoto lens that day, which was very thoughtful. The boat was very bumpy, and for safety, the staff did not allow passengers to stand, walk around, or change seats at will. Otherwise, I should have been able to capture the whales faster, haha!
We saw whales, but they were quite far away, so I recommend bringing a telephoto lens 😅 Scenery from the boat: good Boat condition: average Safety: good Itinerary: It was a bit chaotic after check-in with a lot of people, it took a while before we could board.
The weather was great, and we were very lucky to encounter five whales. Everyone was excited to take pictures, and the overall service was excellent and very satisfying. If you come to Okinawa during whale season, I highly recommend joining this tour. It will be a very unforgettable experience.
I went to the Churaumi Aquarium in the morning and participated in this tour in the afternoon. I was so excited to see the whale jump right in front of me! The guide searched for whales carefully, so I could see why the success rate is so high. You also get photos after the tour, so even if you're worried about taking pictures with your own camera, you can rest assured! lol (The picture is from the guide.) It was a very good memory. Thank you very much.
I figured I'd never have another chance to see wild whales in my life, so I booked it 🐋✨❕ I was the only Korean person there, so I'm writing this review in the hopes that more Koreans will have this mysterious and exciting experience 🥺.. The staff are friendly, and they really try hard to spot whales! You go out quite far into the sea! It's cool and refreshing 🥺! It wasn't a waste of money at all, you should definitely experience it ❕
So lucky today, saw it six times, so happy.
Good to know
- Pregnant women and drinkers cannot participate in this tour. If found on site, no refunds will be given. Thank you for your understanding.
- Depending on the whale watching conditions on the day, we may return to port early if whales are spotted early. Please be aware of this.
- This tour is a cruise of approximately 3 hours, but due to different whale sighting locations, the return time may be earlier or later by more than 1 hour. We recommend that you allow sufficient time to participate.
- For safety reasons, children or the elderly may be refused participation when sea conditions are poor. Thank you for your understanding.
- The tour may be canceled due to weather, sea conditions, or other force majeure factors. You will be notified by email the day before or on the day of the tour. Please pay attention to your email.
- If the rain does not affect the safe navigation of the boat, the tour will proceed as usual, even on rainy days. If customers cancel the tour on their own due to rainy weather, cancellation fees will be charged according to the regulations.
Contact us
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