There are a number of companies offering tours, including top marine on the kerama islands, which takes guests on small highspeed boats to follow the creatures to optimum spots. This is the reason why most of whaling ships come to antarctica every year for hunting. Lucky, then, that there are a few destinations around the world from mexico to mozambique where inseason sightings of whale. Tokashiki island, zamami island, aka island, and geruma island. If you are visiting okinawa then one of the best things to do is go whale watching. Longterm husbandry and physical observation of the whale. As whale catches diminished in coastal waters, japan looked to antarctica.
Whale watching in okinawa mustlovejapan video travel guide. The best places to swim with whale sharks swimming alongside the largest fish in the sea is one of the ultimate bucketlist experiences. Although slightly lagging behind zamami s popularity, tokashiki offers several nice beaches while its interior is mostly covered by forested hills and offers a. If you love to witness these beautiful animals upclose, visit okinawa in winter.
The average sliding 31day rainfall during december in okinawa is decreasing, starting the month at 2. Okinawa festivals and events your year round compathy. The most popular image of okinawa is probably a tropical beach in summer. Now i have to go whale watching at regular intervals just to survive normal daily life.
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. Diving in december where to dive in december original. Tourism numbers, expenditures and economic benefits. Zamami also offers landbased conservatories for whale watching, a great venue for those that may suffer from seasickness. Off to the port we went tuesday morning and got on board an okinawa whale watching tour. Whale watching tour okinawa, japan i am uniquely and. Factory ships were not used by japan until the 1930s. Feb 16, 2017 from approximately december to april each year, the waters surrounding okinawa become host to scores of humpback whales looking for mates. The zamami whale watching association offers tours starting at the end of december to the beginning of april. Aboard the blue line for our whale watching tour in okinawa, japan. We help you experience something new and create memories that will last a lifetime. I see sammyfloyd mentioned the bitter melon but i dont care for it myself, the other foods in the limelight recently have been ishigaki gyu beef and okinawa agu pork.
Okinawa winter whale watching catamaran cruise from motobu. For example, you may want to take your time sightseeing on the main island, then enjoy whale watching. The tug of war events that take place throughout okinawa can be divided into two main categories, the june umachi, which celebrates the rice harvest, and those on august 15th of the old calendar. Cruise out into the sea to spot the huge humpback whales coming to the warmer waters in the sea of okinawa.
One of the most popular whale watching tours in okinawa. Ive been on a few in other parts of the world mexico, patagonia but this one delivered some serious gasps. Instead, this subtropical forest offers a quiet and peaceful form of entertainment. There is no restriction on the number of times vabacked loans can be obtained, as long as there is enough available entitlement to obtain the loan. The color of the ocean there is called kerama blue. Please take antinausea medicine 30 minutes prior to departure, if needed. The main reason for going there would be diving, but being winter im a bit concerned about the conditions. This time is my 7 times to come to okinawa, but it is the first time to go. Daily tours are two and a half hours long, leaving at 10. From late december to early april, the majestic humpback whales make their way to the warm waters of okinawa for what is.
From approximately december to april each year, the waters surrounding okinawa become host to scores of humpback whales looking for mates. The peak season for whale watching is between january and march. Contributed by sarah forte whale sharks and okinawa. A view of naha city, okinawa from our boat during the whale watching tour. Whale watching in okinawa is one of the popular tourism in okinawa in winter. The whales travel all the way from siberia in order to bring up their young in. The whales travel all the way from siberia in order to bring up their young in the warmer waters of okinawa. December may be the last month of the year, but this also means it is a time of many festivities. From late december to early april, the majestic humpback whales make their way to the warm waters of okinawa for what is believed to be for. You can enjoy snorkeling or diving with the goodnatured 4meter long whale sharks and have a truly memorable experience. The ocean is both terrifying and fascinating to me, a home to some of my absolute favourite creatures. The main tug of war events are in yonabaru town old calendar june, itoman city old calendar august, and naha city around solar calendar october.
Period december 23,2017 to april 8, 2018 reservations. Kerama islands are wellknown as the best place for whale watching in japan, and it is also popular for scuba divers. Okinawa winter whale watching tour nahachatan departure. Dec 06, 2017 the ritzcarltons okinawathemed christmas tree, in the grand lobby, is decorated with traditional ornaments including shisa the guardian lion of okinawa for you to exchange gifts and take photos under on december 25 th. 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. Kerama islands shimajirigun 2020 all you need to know. Currently, three individuals 1 male and 2 female are housed in the 7,500 m3 capacity main exhibit tank. We started gott love on our wedding day, november 22, 2014. While it is possible to dive okinawa year round, the peak diving season in okinawa spans from midjuly to early september. Get a close look at the incredible humpback whales off the coast of okinawa with this winter whale watching tour that departs from either naha or chatan. Selfdrive or public transport at naha okinawa city. With more than 700 different species, the aquarium is spread. 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 best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Among the many marine activities you can experience in okinawa, whale watching is probably one of the easiest and most rewarding. December is when whale watching season begins, as humpback whales gather in the seas surrounding okinawa to give birth and nurse their offspring. December is also prime time to visit belize for an action packed adventure, with the great blue hole and worlds second largest barrier reef while on land, ancient mayan ruins, jungles, caves and even jaguars await. Watch them breach and splash right before your eyes. Humpback whales and dolphins are the most commonly seen animals on whale watching tours. Diving okinawa guide to diving okinawa with marine life. The kerama islands are a group of 22 islands in okinawa. Hi guys, im planning to go to okinawa in mid december with my girlfriend and want to get some info on. I take to the waters off the coast of motobu, okinawa to try and photograph humpback whales. On one hand the tropical climate, pure white beaches, and deep blue waters bring you close to nature, but on the other hand, the twisting trees and familiar flowers never lets you forget that you are in japan. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins cetaceans in their natural.
Mar 14, 20 humpback whale spotted breathing out of the water in okinawa, japan. Is it worth lugging wet suits and snorkeling gear all that way. Winter whale watching cruise from naha or chatan dec. One of the lighthouses in naha city, okinawa, japan.
Its located on the pacific ocean side of hokkaido, on the shiretoko peninsula, which has been recognized as a world heritage site since 2005. Some humpback whales sticking their flippers out of the water in okinawa, japan. Make sure to manage your body temperature accordingly, so you can stay in your best physical condition. Japan has a range of whale and dolphin watching businesses on all main islands and okinawa. Both of these calendars have become indispensable, and are now used alongside each other in everyday life. Between may and december southern right whales come so close to the. Furuzamami beach zamamison all you need to know before. 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. Witness majestic whales on this popular winter whale watching tour from naha or chatan, okinawa. Yes, visiting there in summer is really exciting, but winter is also a good season to visit there. The main reason for going okinawa diving in decemberjan uary japan lonely planet forum thorn tree. December to march is the offseason, given the prevalence of typhoons and cooler temperatures. Use it as a guide to help you select the optimum time to visit some of the worlds most impressive destinations and enjoy the amazing marine life at its best. Witness majestic humpback whales on okinawas largest and most comfortable.
Spatial distribution and habitat use patterns of humpback whales. Okinawas whale watching industry is focused on the okinawa main island and. You can enjoy the day trip whale watching tour from naha. Torii scuba locker offers divers a chance to interact with these gentle giants. Whale watching andor parasailing are subject to cancellation should weather conditions suddenly change during the tour. In december the range variation of daily average temperatures is 4. See humpback whales leap out of the water, known as breaching, and watch them as they swim around the islands in early spring. Because most scuba divers are restricted to a certain time for their vacation, this article intends to introduce a few options for your whale shark adventures. Please like, share and comment on the video as it will help others find it and allow us to keep on making videos.
The short window of time for whale watching starts at the end of december and goes until the start of april. Keramashoto national park is located some forty kilometres west of the okinawan islands towards the very end of japans archipelago. There are many destinations around the world to swim and dive with whale sharks, so we wanted to provide you with a handy guide with the best places for every month of the year. This calendar has been put together by our team of experienced dive specialists. The cerulean blue, surely should you find okinawa how to spend looking for. Witness majestic humpback whales on okinawas largest and most comfortable whale. The kind of whale is humpback whale that travel from alaska. We mom, dad, 9yearold are going to okinawa in december. Humpback whales appear in waters around okinawa during the winter. Okinawa is one of the best locations in the world for whale watching, and winter is the ideal season for this exciting activity. On one dry and sunny day amidst a rainy week during the offseason in dec 2018, all.
Jul 14, 2014 the kerama islands are a group of 22 islands in okinawa. Diving in okinawa quick facts located at the southwestern tip of the japanese archipelago, okinawa is comprised of 160 islands, 49 of which are inhabited, spreading kilometres620 miles from east to west and 400 kilometres250 miles from north to south. There are 17 different whale species in the antarctic and many species of whales migrate south to take advantage of food. There are many starting points of the tour, including naha, yomitan, and onna on the main island, as well as directly from the zamami islands. Kerama islands okinawa prefecture kerama islands, a group of over 20 islands located about 40km west of naha city, okinawa. My first whale was a 40ft grey, off the coast of california in 1979, and ive been a whale addict ever since.
Rausu is a northeastern destination for whale watching. Humpback whales come to the warm and calm sea of zamami village every the end of december to the beginning of april. Furuzamami beach zamamison 2020 all you need to know. 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. 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. Wheres the best place to stay ie which hotel do you recommend or location 2. Okinawa in december okinawa city forum tripadvisor. But, if you stay at zamami island, you can get opportunities for the many seen of watching whales and touching with beautiful natures.
The travel tips for enjoying the okinawa in december. We have a real lack of exotic food okinawa soba is a staple food and a great hangover cure so at least worth a try while youre here, served everywhere so no need to look for a great place unless you really feel the need. Background okinawa churaumi aquarium has established a longterm husbandry program for whale sharks since 1980. Many of the events which take place in japan are based on the solar calendar, but in okinawa, events and religious ceremonies also follow what is known as the old lunar calendar. So i choose to join the tour that only in this season whale.
Whale watching in okinawa during winter departing from onna. See the whales breach as they migrate across the ocean. Dead whale washes ashore at army recreational area on okinawa. Departing from both naha and chatan near the onna area, enjoy a morning or afternoon cruise near the zamami islands. 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. Whale watching in oki nawa is one of the popular tourism in okinawa in winter. From january to march, whales visit okinawa to raise their babies. Winter whale watching cruise from naha or chatan, okinawa. Winter whale watching cruise in okinawa klook travel. Whale watching tours run in november, december, and sometimes january, which is the season for shortfinned pilot whales and sperm whales. Christmas in okinawa travel metropolis magazine japan.
Winter in okinawa is a sensational time of year for marine leisure activities. 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. This is the season when humpback whales are confirmed to be off the coast of zamami. December is when whale watching season begins, as humpback whales gather in the seas surrounding okinawa to give birth. Changes are typically announced in november and december, effective the following january. The male shark was caught by a setnet on march 11, 1995, and it measured a total length tl of 460 cm. The inner child in all of us will be jumping in excitement at the churaumi aquarium think majestic giant whale sharks, manta rays, tropical deep sea fish, and colourful corals. Feel the magic of whale watching in okinawa on this three hour cruise and come face to face with natures most majestic creatures.
Whale watching is one of the most popular winter activities. The provided schedule is an estimate only, and actual time on the whale watching tour is subject to change. 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. The beautiful sea around this area is widely known for its incredibly high transparency and named as the kerama blue, attracting many divers and tourists every year.
A whale watching guide an impressive experience to encounter in okinawa. The start of the new year heralds the return of humpback whales to okinawa, the philippines, and hawaii when these great mammals migrate south from the arctic to mate. Feb 20, 2017 thanks to marine house seasir for the great experience. May 30, 2016 the ocean is both terrifying and fascinating to me, a home to some of my absolute favourite creatures. Vp45 relieved the mad foxes of vp5 at kadena air base in okinawa, japan on feb. Discover a group of humpback whales migrating to their. I am planning a trip to japan around december january, and i was thinking of adding on a trip to okinawa for a few weeks. See whales as large as 15 meters play in the sea around the zamami islands on this popular whale watching tour. The heavens above naha, okinawa are somewhat dreary having on average a mere 3. The weather in december is not exactly dry with rain at times.
Okinawa is known to be cold when a northern wind blows. Complete your adventure by including an optional parasailing adventure. Other areas, including northern okinawa and ie island, also offer whale watching tours. In the previous year, over 22,000 guests hopped on board to see majestic 15 meter long whales swim in their natural habitat. Humpback whale watching is okinawa winter special activity, every year from december to april humpback whale will be spotted in okinawa. This insider okinawa itinerary is packed with the best things okinawa has to offer, so you can see it all. Yes, visiting there in summer is really exciting, but winter is. So i choose to join the tour that only in this season whale watching tour. Apr 20, 2018 heres my latest collaboration video with skylum software. Undoubtedly, whale watching is a breathtaking experience and okinawa is one of the best places in the world to try it out. From january to march, the ocean around okinawa is full of action. Average weather in december in okinawa, japan weather spark. Okinawa churaumi aquarium for the next generation to inherit.
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