Whale Swim Okinawa is a winter-only whale-watching tour departing from and returning to Naha. This thrilling tour lets you observe humpback whales that visit the waters off Okinawa from the surface of the water. Fish & Bubbles presents this whale swim experience, which offers a truly rare opportunity found nowhere else in the world.
Whale Swim Okinawa, Naha: What Is Whale Swim?
Whale Swim is a day trip that departs from and returns to Naha, Okinawa, taking you to waters along the coast of Okinawa’s main island and around the Chibishi Islands to observe humpback whales. Unlike traditional whale watching, the unique feature of Whale Swim is that you observe the whales as they float on the water’s surface. Whale Swim is a rare tour offered only during the winter months.Humpback whales come to Okinawa to raise their calves, give birth, and mate. The thrill and awe of seeing them right before your eyes will create memories that last a lifetime.
In Okinawa, they can typically be seen from December through the end of March. Since areas with low water temperatures present a harsh environment for newborn calves, mother whales appear to migrate in large numbers to regions like Okinawa, where water temperatures remain stable. During this period, mother whales do not feed but rely on their stored nutrients to nurse their calves and teach them how to swim and breathe—all to ensure they can survive in these challenging conditions.
Whale Swim Okinawa, Naha: How Do You Spot Whales?
Although it’s called “Whale Swim,” at Whale Swim Okinawa Naha, we do not swim to chase the whales, free-dive, or wear scuba tanks. You’ll wear a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins to observe the whales while floating on the surface and maintaining a safe distance from them.On the day of the tour, all participants sharing the Whale Swim boat will form a single team to observe the whales. Acting alone is dangerous and strictly prohibited. A staff member holding a reference flag (the “flag bearer”) will be positioned at the center of the team. Please be careful not to go ahead of the flag bearer or stray from the group.
At the captain’s signal, we’ll enter the water smoothly. Please quickly gather near the flag-bearing staff. When approaching the flag-bearing staff, do not kick your fins in a way that slaps the water’s surface or creates splashes. Tilt your body diagonally, keep your face above the water, and look in the direction of travel as you approach the flag-bearing staff. We’ll hold a briefing before departure to provide clear instructions.Instructions will continue to be given even after entry. Please be careful not to miss any of them. In addition to the flag-bearers, staff members will be positioned to surround the entire group. The captain and onboard staff also work together to ensure the tour is both enjoyable and safe. The boat we use is a large, dedicated two-story vessel with a capacity of 53 passengers. To ensure a comfortable and safe tour, we limit the number of guests boarding on any given day to 15.
Whale Swim Okinawa, Naha: Important Notes
- To participate in the whale swim tour, you must hold a diving certification or a certification for snorkeling or freediving. Please provide your C-card number or a photo of your C-card at the time of booking. If you do not have a C-card, please be sure to obtain one before participating.
- Someone who can enter and exit the water smoothly even in rough conditions.
- Individuals who have mastered skills such as smooth finning that doesn't create splashes even in rough water, as well as snorkel clearing.
- We are looking for people who will carefully listen to and follow the instructions of the captain, instructors, and crew members.
- People who can take their own precautions against seasickness.
- Prohibition on the Use of Long Fins *Fins longer than 70.5 centimeters are prohibited. If you are unsure of the length, please let us know which fins you are using.
- No lights or flash. Please shoot using natural light.
- Photography using an extension pole with a camera attached to the tip while the pole is fully extended is prohibited. *Please use the pole in its shortest position.
- All participants on the boat that day will form a single team to observe the whales. Acting alone is strictly prohibited.
- We cannot issue refunds even if you do not see any whales after departure or if the tour consists solely of whale watching from the boat.
- Depending on the instructor’s judgment, you may not be allowed to participate in the tour even on the day of the tour due to illness, a hangover, or incomplete health check forms. In such cases, no refunds will be issued.
It’s not easy to spot whales. We repeatedly enter and exit the water multiple times a day, gradually synchronizing our timing with the whales. There are even times when the tour ends without us being able to enter the water at all. The photos and videos you see on social media capture just that one fleeting moment. Enduring the cold, battling seasickness, and putting up with the frustration of not seeing any whales—that’s what whale swimming is all about.Even after a full day of effort, there are times when you won’t see any whales. It’s also common to catch only a fleeting glimpse, even when you do spot them. Despite the challenges of this demanding tour, our captain, staff, and the team that organizes the whale swim every year work together daily to run these tours, sharing past data and exchanging information with other nearby whale-swim boats.
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Whale Swim Okinawa: 1-Day Itinerary
- 8:00 a.m. Pre-departure briefing*: We will review the day’s schedule and important points.
- 8:30 a.m. Departure
- 3:00 p.m. Return to port
After setting sail, we’ll start by looking for whales from the boat. We’ll look for a whale’s “blow.” This is the spray a whale expels when it surfaces to breathe. The first step is for the whole team to work together to spot this fleeting blow.
Sometimes we spot the first blow within 10 minutes of setting sail, while other times it takes several hours. Although this varies depending on the day’s sea conditions and the whales’ movements, the more people keeping an eye out, the higher the chance of spotting a blow, so let’s all work together as much as possible to find that first blow.
After spotting a blow, we first observe the whale from the boat while maintaining a safe distance. We observe its swimming speed, breathing intervals, and various behaviors to determine whether it’s safe for a diver to enter the water and observe it from the surface. If it appears safe to observe from the surface, we don our necessary gear and stand by, fully prepared.Once the captain gives the go-ahead, follow the flag bearer and enter the water silently. The whale may pass beneath you, stop right in front of you, or—of course—you may enter the water only to find it’s not visible. In fact, it’s more common for the whale to be invisible or only faintly visible. As long as there’s a chance, let’s keep trying again and again. For those returning by plane on the day of the tour, we recommend flights departing after 6:00 PM. Please note that the schedule is subject to change. Please be aware that a flight scheduled for the 4:00 PM time slot may not allow enough time to make it back.
Whale Swim Okinawa: What Preparations Are Needed?
The required gear is a mask, snorkel, fins, and a wetsuit. Other than that, just bring a towel, a change of clothes, something to drink, and lunch. For lunch, rice balls or sandwiches that you can eat quickly with one hand are best. During this time of year, strong north winds blow in Okinawa. The water temperature is around 20 degrees, but when you’re wet, it feels much colder. A boat coat or a hooded vest to wear under your wetsuit will keep you comfortable.If you have a dry suit, you’re welcome to wear it. However, there is a risk of submersion when climbing back onto the boat from the water’s surface. We recommend bringing items like wrist straps or neck straps to reduce this risk. Of course, equipment rentals are also available. In addition to the required gear, we also have boat coats and hooded vests available for rent. There are also hot showers, hot drinks, and snacks available on board.
Free Photo and Video Data
We provide all the photos taken on the day of your tour free of charge. For guests who bring their own cameras, we’ll also share tips on photography techniques specific to whale swimming, as well as how to adjust your camera settings. Let’s all capture those amazing moments together!
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations typically open on October 1st each year. The actual tour season runs from mid-January through the end of March. As the reservation period approaches, our shop’s Instagram and other channels. Please check there for the latest information when the time comes. The popularity of whale swimming tours has been growing year by year. Due to the limited time frame and capacity restrictions, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to secure a reservation. Also, since this is the winter season, there may be days when we simply cannot set sail. If your schedule allows, we recommend booking multiple days rather than just a single day, and making your reservation as early as possible. You can make a reservation via the contact form at the bottom of our blog page, Instagram DM, our official LINE account, or by phone. Home Page You can follow us on Instagram or register for LINE via the menu bar in the upper right corner.
Tour Prices
The price is 22,000 yen per person. (Prices may increase due to rising fuel costs.) You may also participate in the tour by observing from the boat only. Please contact us for details. The price includes all of the following. Right now, each group can rent a GoPro for free. Please be sure to mention this when making your reservation. Please bring your own micro-SD card.
- Rental Equipment
- Pickup and drop-off service* Available only in the Naha area. Please inquire regarding the Shuri area and the areas around Oroku Station and Akamine Station.
- Photo and Video Data
- Hot drinks, snacks
- Boat fare, guide fee
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