Watch humpback whales in the Kerama Islands off Okinawa, a subtropical breeding ground where humpbacks come each winter to mate and calve. In the clear waters around Zamami and Tokashiki, twice daily boat trips reach the whales in about two hours, with an almost 98 percent sighting rate through the season. Reached by fast ferry from Naha, it is one of Japan's most reliable whale trips, best from January to March.
Watch humpback whales in the Kerama Islands off Okinawa, a subtropical breeding ground where humpbacks come each winter to mate and calve. In the clear waters around Zamami and Tokashiki, twice daily boat trips reach the whales in about two hours, with an almost 98 percent sighting rate through the season. Reached by fast ferry from Naha, it is one of Japan's most reliable whale trips, best from January to March.
Up to 82% sighting chance in Kerama Islands / Okinawa, Japan. Best months: February, March, January.
The season runs from late December to April, with January to March the best months, when the most whales are around Okinawa.
Yes. Boat trips around Zamami and Tokashiki report an almost 98 percent sighting rate, among the highest in Japan.
Take a fast ferry from Tomari Port in Naha to Zamami (about 50 minutes). Whale watching boats run twice a day, each trip lasting around 2 hours.
A trip costs around 6,000 to 7,000 yen per adult (2026 prices), usually booked through the local whale watching association.
Officially, Kerama Islands trips are boat based whale watching. A few operators offer in water encounters, but this is not formally regulated in Japan, so most visitors experience the whales from the boat.
