10 Japan Whale Watching Tours Worth the Early Start

1.Naha, Okinawa: Kerama Islands Half-Day Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 241 reviews · 4 hours · from $37Our pick

Join Marine House SEASIR for a four-hour whale-watching trip from Naha. Hotel pickup, an experienced crew, English or Chinese support when available, whale photos, and a one-hour viewing period are included. Winter humpbacks may surface with calves, slap their tails, or breach nearby.

“So much fun and enjoyably, when the family of humpback whale was appear above the sea that so excited.”

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2.Naha:Kerama Island Experience Dive/Snorkeling/Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 71 reviews · from $104

From Naha, you’ll take a speedboat to Kerama National Park for snorkeling at three sites, one beginner scuba session, and, from January 12 through March, whale watching. A small group, hotel pickup, equipment, towels, motion-sickness medicine, and a few underwater photos are included.

“Amazing experience! On this day we went snorkelling in two different spots + one introductory dive! The staff picked us up at our hotel. They were skilled and friendly. They made also a bunch of photos, so we can remember this experience!”

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3.Naha: Whale Watching with Pickup and English Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 52 reviews · 3 hours · from $30Best value

Join Cerulean Blue Okinawa for a three-hour whale-watching trip from Naha Miegusuku Port. A veteran captain leads the search, while an English and Japanese crew assists onboard. Use the multilingual smartphone guide for whale facts, and choose port check-in or pickup from 12 Naha stops.

“A very crowded meet up point. On board all were made to use life jackets but not all crew was using them. One crew member even on flip-flop foot wear! Spoken information quite poor. Nothing more them what I read from a Zanami island brochure.”

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4.Okinawa Whale Watching From Naha

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · from $38

Join Marine Club Berry from Naha for a winter whale-watching cruise toward the Kerama Islands. A veteran English-speaking guide, including marine biology guide Rita on some departures, explains whale behavior while the crew searches by radar and sonar. Expect a large two-level yacht, drinks, rain gear, and a chance to see mothers, calves, breaches, and blows.

“So fun & saw three whales! We loved the guided and the drinks they offered us. We are def going back next year.”

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5.Okinawa:Kerama Islands experience Diving/Snorkeling/WhaleWatching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · from $96

Depart Naha at 7:30 am for a seven-hour boat trip around the Kerama Islands. You can try beginner scuba or snorkel with careful instruction, visiting two or three sites near Zamami, Tokashiki, Kuroshima, or Maejima. Takashi is one instructor named in guest feedback. Whale watching runs January 12 through March 31.

“Very attentive to people safety (I chose snorkelling). The experience in water felt also safe. The guide gives information about the animals and we could see turtles, many different types of fish and sharks.”

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6.Naha: “Orca” Spotting Glass Bottom Boat & Sam’s Famous Steak

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 12 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Meet at Naha Port Passenger Terminal for a two-hour Orca underwater boat experience, then travel independently to Sam’s Sailor Inn for teppanyaki steak or seafood. You stay dry while viewing coral and fish through wide glass windows. The boat name does not mean orcas are present.

“It was not a tour. With the boat it stayed within the port area and had to take turns for the glass bottom. There were speakers with annoying voiced in asian languages with no translation throughout and super loud. That being said, the restaurant was very good teppanyaki - nicely surprised. Good value for money but waste of 3 hrs-”

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7.Naha:Kerama Islands 2 Fun Dive/Whale watching Limited time

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 12 reviews · from $140

Join JOY CREATE OKINAWA TEA-DA for a full day around Tokashiki, Zamami, and Aka islands. Certified participants get two or three guided underwater sessions, boat transport, equipment, Naha pickup, and seasonal extras such as winter whale watching or summer shaved ice.

“Very well organised, professional and nice staff. Two fun dives in the morning and snorkelling after lunch. Lots of marine life (fish, snake, turtle and even a shark). Great day, we were lucky to see humpback whales on the way back to Naha. Outing highly recommended👍🏻”

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8.Naha : Kerama, Tokashiki Island and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 11 reviews · 6 hours · from $61

From Miegusuku Port, you’ll cross the Kerama Sea by small-capacity boat, reach Aharen Beach, and choose free beach time, a glass-bottom boat, or sea-turtle snorkeling. After curry rice and island time, a two-hour whale-watching cruise searches for winter humpbacks. English, Japanese, and Korean support is available.

“Tour should be cancelled because of the dangerous and windy weather. Disgraceful”

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9.Whale Watching in Okinawa From Naha or Chatan

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 3 reviews · from $39

Join Cerulean Blue Okinawa for a three-hour whale-watching trip from Naha or Chatan. An English-speaking guide explains humpback behavior, while a multilingual port audio guide helps you follow along. Look for breaches, tail slaps, and blows near Keramashoto National Park, with photo data supplied after the trip.

“As my son said, “We saw a whale but at what cost?” 2/3rds of the boat was committing in a bag because the water was so choppy today. I’m not sure it was good to have gone ahead with the tour given the water conditions. So many people Read more”

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10.Great Whale Watching at Kerama Islands and Zamami Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $86Top rated

Meet at Zamami Port for a 2.5-hour whale-watching trip in the Kerama Islands. After a short ecology briefing, ride about 30 minutes to the viewing area, where spotters help you find whales from every direction. The boat has a toilet, and binoculars, blankets, drinks, life jackets, and photos are included.

“Great tour, time to see the wales very close. Beautiful view of the surrounding islands. Staff was great.”

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