Last summer one of my friends told me he is planning to go to Kerama Islands for whale watching. As I’ve been in Zamami I was surprised a little bit because the season to see this incredible giants starts on January and lasts till the beginning of April. So, if you go to Kerama in summer, you will hardly have a chance to meet any whale there. Now I will introduce you some important things you should know before going to whale watching to Kerama Islands.
Zamami Whale Watching Tour
You may meet people who say they are travelling to Kerama Islands in winter. Before getting surprised, make sure you know much about this fascinating part of the earth because the most wonderful season of the year to visit this island. So many activities to do, that you will definitely need a lot of free time to manage everything.
Have you ever dreamed about meeting giant inhabitants of the sea? If yes, then you may have heard about Kerama whale watching tour. This tour season starts on January and lasts till 5th of April, so make sure not to miss the deadline. If you are late, you will simply not meet the whales.
The ocean of the Kerama Islands is fantastically beautiful and crystal. Relaxing and calm environment of the ocean is perfect place for Humpback whales. They come here every year for breeding and then leave.
Kerama Whale Watching Tour Fee
Whale watching tour fee is different for adults and children. In case you are with under five years old children, you will not have to pay for them, otherwise children fee is ￥2,700 (about 24 USD). For adults fee is two times higher and costs ￥5,400 (about 48 USD). Usually the trip lasts two hours but if you wish two stay longer, you can book a day-trip from Naha to whale watching part. The best period to meet whales in during night, so make sure to stay in Zamami Island overnight.
Whale watching day trip
Morning schedule for whale watching starts at 9:00 o’clock when “Queen Zamami” fast boat leaves Naha and 50 minutes later arrives Zamami Island. The main whale watching tour starts at 10:30 from Zamami Port and lasts for two hours. At 12:30 the boat returns to Zamami Port.
Afternoon whale watching begins at 10:00 o’clock when Ferry Zamami travels from Naha to Zamami Island. Arriving at 12:00, an hour later it starts whale watching journey and return to Zamami Port at 15:00 o’clock.
If you plan to participate in one of these trips, reservation is open. You must just send a message to Zamami Whale Watching Association email with the following information: your name, cell phone number, the trip you want to participate in (Quuen Zamami/Ferry Zamami), date and time that is comfortable for you, the type of a trip (day or overnight), adults and children number, department date and time. The association asks to call in the morning to check if the trip is going to take place or is cancelled. Even though the weather is wonderful, sometimes sea gets angry and weather conditions become dangerous, so make sure to check everything before going. Take with you some warm clothes and waterproof rain jacket. In case you have seasickness, don’t forget to take the proper medicine. And finally make sure to be in time at passenger waiting lobby of Zamami port not to miss your boat.
So you will ask whom you are going to meet there. You are going to get acquainted with enormous giants named Humpback whales the average length and weight of which is about 50 ft. The top of their body is black, while the bottom can be black, white or even spotted. Humpback whales migrate about 3200 miles to mate and love breeding in the warm part of the ocean. Mother whales are very attentive and take care of their children from 10 to 12 months. The most interesting information about these whales is that during mating and breeding period, they don’t feed. Male whales can fight for female whales’ attention and love. Humpback whales love “singing”. Yes, they make some beautiful sounds consists of low and high tones. The song can become really rocky concert and may last from 6 to 25 minutes. Young whales don’t sing, it’s the privilege of adults.
We wish you unforgettable and safe trip. Don’t forget to take photos and share with us on our official https://web.facebook.com/KeramaIslands/ page.
See also
About ten years ago,island fishermen reported seeing whales in the area. Then the humpback whales have returned to the Kerama,where they once were hunted. Foer several years the number of whales migrating to the Kerama gradually increased. Current from February to March every year,many boats (departed from Naha and each islands) is used for whale watching around the Kerama islands.
Study of Humpback Whales in Japanese Waters
WWF Japan supported a survey of humpback whales in Japanese waters from 1988 to 1995. The survey was initiated by a Canadian scientist, Dr.James Darling, with help of Japanese volunteers. He used a method to identify animals by photo identification. Shapes and pattern of flukes of each humpback whale is different like human's finger prints. The purposes were to study status of the species in Northwestern Pacific Ocean and to introduce the method to Japan.
At present in the oceans of our earth there are seventy-six varieties of whales and dolphins comprised of sixty-six kinds of toothed whales and ten varieties of baleen whales. Among those that can have confirmed sightings in the seas off Okinawa are nineteen varieties of toothed whales and seven varieties of baleen whales. One of the most frequently sighted among the baleen whales is the Humpback.
The Humpback Whales in the Pacific
In order to win females to pair up with as mates, male whales engage in repeated fierce battles amongst themselves. At certain times as many as two to eight males will accompany one female. The male humpbacks do this to propagate their species and for them it is serious business, but for whale-watchers it is a chance to have an unforgettable experience viewing this dramatic behavior. The seas off Zamami Island are mating seas for the humpback and in contrast to other sea areas, such as feeding seas where such behavior as bubble net fishing can be seen, the Zamami seas are where visitors can come to watch their mating pod behavior.
Humpbacks usually congregate in small groups of one to four but gather in much larger groups when they are in the seas where they feed. Humpback Whales are popular among whale-watchers because of their dynamic performances.
Whale Singing
by Senzo Uchida
Humpback Whale