Whale Watching Tours in Japan: Choosing Between 2

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

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

From Naha, ride into the Kerama Islands waters with an English or Chinese speaking crew in search of humpback whales. The usual whale-viewing time is about one hour. You may see mothers with calves, tail slaps, dolphins, or only distant backs, so bring warm layers and motion-sickness medicine. Hotel pickup and whale photos are included.

“Very well organised activity, collection very prompt from pick up point, boat trip very good, take sea sickness tablets as can be choppy, also is very windy so wrap up warm. Unfortunately didn’t see any whales, which is nature, but there were times when I felt like the staff weren’t even looking out for them which was frustrating.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Whale Watching with Pickup and English Guide

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

Meet the English- and Japanese-speaking crew at Naha’s Miegusuku Port, or take pickup from selected Naha hotels. Spend up to three hours searching for humpback whales near the Kerama Islands, with sightings and close viewing limited by local conservation rules. A multilingual phone guide adds whale facts in eight languages.

“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.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →