Whale Watching in Okinawa

Find Whales in Their Natural Habitat in Okinawa

Okinawa offers amazing dives and the rare opportunity to see humpback whales in their natural habitat. From January to March, whales gather off the coast of Zamami Island, located about forty kilometers west of Okinawa Island and reachable by ferry.

Majestic Humpbacks at Play

Join a whale watching tour to experience the thrill of watching a humpback slap the water with its tail or leap out of the ocean in a majestic arc. Tour guides know the best routes to find the whales without disturbing their territory, ensuring your best chances of seeing them. Humpback whales can grow as long as sixteen meters and can weigh up to thirty tons. Go whale watching as a day trip from Naha or stay overnight at an inn on Zamami Island. Bring warm clothes, as it can get cold out on the water.

How to get there

Ferries for Zamami Island leave every day from Tomari Port (a 15 minute taxi ride from Naha Airport) in Naha, the capital of Okinawa. You have a choice between the two hour ferry, or the slightly more expensive one hour high-speed ferry.