Continue your marine adventure with an optional ticket to the churaumi aquarium for a day of fun. You may spot cute baby whales swimming along their moms after breeding period. I hope you all really enjoyed this ultimate okinawa travel guide. 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. Yoyo male40 aged i saw the humpback whale this time.
The color of the ocean there is called kerama blue. Cruise out into the sea to spot the huge humpback whales coming to the warmer waters in the sea of okinawa. See humpback whales leap out of the water, known as breaching, and watch them as they swim around the islands in early spring. Feel the magic of whale watching in okinawa on this three hour cruise and come face to face with natures most majestic creatures. Apr 20, 2018 heres my latest collaboration video with skylum software. The initial invasion of okinawa on april 1, 1945, was the largest amphibious assault in the pacific.
Whale watching tour okinawa, japan i am uniquely and. If you are a passport member then youll get to see a whole new video here about my crazy workflow, juggling different photos, hdring, lightroom, and. Okinawa is one of the best locations in the world for whale watching, and winter is the ideal season for this exciting activity. While it is possible to dive okinawa year round, the peak diving season in okinawa spans from midjuly to early september. The kind of whale is humpback whale that travel from alaska.
Whale wars is a weekly american documentarystyle reality television series that premiered on november 7, 2008 on the animal planet cable channel. They may average a few degrees higher than around okinawa, but both areas have very temperate water year round. Some humpback whales sticking their flippers out of the water in okinawa, japan. The zamami whale watching association, founded in 1990 on okinawas zamami island, is committed to ensuring the success of future migrations, and employs an ecofriendly stance when conducting tours. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. There are good whale lookouts to see humpback whales from february to april by land. The coastal waters off okinawa are one of many popular locations around the world. This is the season when humpback whales are confirmed to be off the coast of zamami island, and the. Kerama islands are wellknown as the best place for whale watching in japan, and it is also popular for scuba divers.
Over 300 whales migrate to the kerama islands to mate and give. Contributed by sarah forte whale sharks and okinawa. The whale shark tours in okinawa, japan are helping to promote cruelty to animals. If you want to go whale watching in okinawa, the season starts in late january and ends in late march. Okinawa winter whale watching catamaran cruise from motobu. Okinawa isp mediatti keeping tabs on how much you download. The first season of whale wars was the most watched program ever for animal planet, capturing more than one million viewers for. Winter whale watching cruise in okinawa klook travel. If you have never seen a whale in real life before, you are missing out on. Dec 30, 2003 whale watching season around okinawa begins in january and runs through april, with february and march being peak months, according to the okinawa convention and visitors bureau web site. Complete your adventure by including an optional parasailing adventure. December to march is the off season, given the prevalence of typhoons and cooler temperatures. Mar 14, 20 humpback whale spotted breathing out of the water in okinawa, japan. Torii scuba locker offers divers a chance to interact with these gentle giants.
The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Tokashiki island, zamami island, aka island, and geruma island. Our whalewatching season is december 30 2018 to march 31 2019. Come see the whale sharks at the churaumi aquarium. The ocean is both terrifying and fascinating to me, a home to some of my absolute favourite creatures. If you have never seen a whale in real life before, you are missing out on something big. In the previous year, over 22,000 guests hopped on board to see majestic 15 meter long whales swim in their natural habitat. Whale watching japan shikoku seto inland sea watching. Get ready for the inside scoop because this guide has everything you need to know about traveling on okinawa. Come see the whale sharks at the churaumi aquarium matcha. The entire season is being billed the zamami village whale watching festival. Whale watching season around okinawa begins in january and runs through april, with february and march being peak months, according to the okinawa convention and visitors bureau web site. Please like, share and comment on the video as it will help others find it and allow us to keep on making videos. Without the means to engage in active whaling, consumption at that time primarily stemmed from stranded whales.
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. According to your preference, youll be able to choose between a morning or afternoon tour departing from naha or chatan, with a. 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 whalers of wada encourage local children to attend the first butchering of each season followed by a community event where whale meat is served. Whale watching, discovery travel adventures insight guide. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. 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. The whale shark in okinawa some goodies coming up for our awesome passport members. So i choose to join the tour that only in this season whale watching tour.
From january to march, whales visit okinawa to raise their babies. The cerulean blue, surely should you find okinawa how to spend looking for. Okinawa divers against whale shark tours home facebook. Whale watching trips in north america, patricia corrigan, isbn 1559716835. It can also be seen in hokkaido, but there are many tours from spring to summer. Its one of the most beautiful places ive ever lived in my life and i want you all to experience okinawa like a local. Escaping the cold with a trip to naha published on 20151218 by sakura mobile okinawa is known by japanese and foreigners alike as a beautiful, sunny paradise with white sandy beaches where you can bask in the heat no matter the season. Much of the action depicted in this season occurred between november 2007 and february 2008. The visitors can enjoy the whale sharks inside the aquarium, and they can also watch the dolphin show outside. One mile away from gate 1 of kadena air base, kadena marina is home to various marine activities such as diving, snorkeling, whale watching, fishing, jet skiing, sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and more. This time is my 7 times to come to okinawa, but it is the first time to go.
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. Humpback whale spotted breathing out of the water in okinawa, japan. Whale watching in okinawa mustlovejapan video travel guide. Archeological evidence in the form of whale remains discovered in burial mounds suggests that whales have been consumed in japan since the jomon period between c. Voyagin is a marketplace to help you discover and book the best things to do, attraction tickets, and unique local tours. If the churaumi aquariums aweinspiring tank of whale sharks left you wanting an even closer encounter with the worlds largest fish, you are in luck. But, if you stay at zamami island, you can get opportunities for the many seen of watching whales and touching with beautiful natures.
Aboard the blue line for our whale watching tour in okinawa, japan. 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. Winter whale watching halfday tour from motobu jan 11 apr. One mile away from gate 1 of kadena air base, kadena marina is home to various marine activities such as diving, snorkeling, whale watching, fishing, jet skiing, sea.
Whale watching tour in okinawa with a highspeed boat. The story behind giant pigs and cows on okinawa just 20 minutes northwest of kadena air base is a peculiar sight. Departing from both naha and chatan near the onna area, enjoy a morning or afternoon cruise near the zamami islands. Season 1 consisted of 7 episodes and aired from november 7, 2008 to december 19, 2008. Kerama islands are one of the best whale watching destinations of japan, very likely to encounter wild whales during tours. It truly is a hidden gem unaffected by mass tourism. The mother whale nurses the calf without feeding herself and loses a lot of weight during this time. Humpback whales travel more than 5,000 kilometers every year to breed in okinawas warm waters. Dead whale washes ashore at army recreational area on okinawa. Its transparent surrounding waters are famous with tourists, divers in particular, and lately also whale watchers. Watch them breach and splash right before your eyes. Feb 14, 2016 the coastal waters off okinawa are one of many popular locations around the world.
Reservations and tickets are available through the society at 098 8964141, tickets are y5,250 for adults and y2,625 for children. Massive though not self conscious about their weight, they swim through the ocean as the giants of the sea. Some goodies coming up for our awesome passport members. From january to march, the ocean around okinawa is in full action. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. A view of naha city, okinawa from our boat during the whale watching tour.
Just as expected, my wife and two daughters were suffering. It is easy and comfortable for watchers, no need to worry about getting wet or seasick. Surviving ainu folklore reveals a long history of whaling and a spiritual association with whales. I take to the waters off the coast of motobu, okinawa to try and photograph humpback whales. We enjoyed a half day trip to the port of naha, okinawa to enjoy whale watching. Diving okinawa guide to diving okinawa with marine life. Ogasawara whale watching association owa was established in march 1989 to help manage and regulate whale watching, and to operate as an information center. Worldwide tourism numbers, expenditures and expanding socioeconomic benefits, erich hoyt, isbn 1901002098. Whale watching japan is home to a magnificent range of whales and dolphins, and whale watching cruises provide a sustainable alternative to whaling.
See whales as large as 15 meters play in the sea around the zamami islands on this popular whale watching tour. Sub tropical, high humidity, ocasional typhoons in the summer, rainy season is in may. As far as the whale shark dive, i have pondered it, but like yourself, im not thrilled about these enormous creatures being netted. Zamami also offers landbased conservatories for whale watching, a great venue for those that may suffer from seasickness. 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. I really put my heart and soul into it as okinawa is super stunning and gorgeous. Okinawa churaumi aquarium meet the sea turtles and manatees. 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. You can enjoy the day trip whale watching tour from naha. So the mother comes here to warmer seas to rear the calf. Whale watching in okinawa during winter departing from onna if spending a day chilling on a white sandy beach, or diving into the amazing blue cave are the best things to do in okinawa during summer time, then hopping on a boat to go on whale watching tours is a must during the winter. 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.
Im back from japan and ready to share a whaleload of videos, photos, and special behindthescenes stuff. 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 flock between winter and spring for hundreds of humpbacks breeding in the area. During the season, whale watching boats depart daily from okinawa island or zamami island. One of the most popular whale watching tours in okinawa. May 30, 2016 the ocean is both terrifying and fascinating to me, a home to some of my absolute favourite creatures. Uchinaa ikusa, codenamed operation downfall, was a major battle of the pacific war fought on the island of okinawa by united states marine and army forces against the imperial japanese army. Feb 20, 2017 two years alone in the wilderness escape the city to build off grid log cabin duration. Okinawa churaumi aquarium also draws many visitors each year, thanks in large part to its gigantic whale sharks. Winter whale watching cruise from naha or chatan dec.
Whale watching in okinawa okinawa is one of the best locations in the world for whale watching, and winter is the ideal season for this exciting activity. During the season, a few whale watching boats launch daily from okinawa island or zamami island. Whale watching in okinawa is one of the popular tourism in okinawa in winter. Winter whale watching cruise from naha or chatan, okinawa. Where i was examined yesterday, okinawa and choshi may not be seen in april. Whale lovers attention whale watching season okinawa japan. We help you experience something new and create memories that will last a lifetime. Heres my latest collaboration video with skylum software.
In this activity in okinawa you will have the unique chance to swim among whale sharks, the worlds biggest species of fish. Whale watching experience japan inside japan tours. If, like me, you prefer to see them in their rightful place the ocean, then youre in luck if you happen to. 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. Categories nature a whale watching guide an impressive experience to encounter in okinawa.
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