Swimming with whales in Okinawa, Japan, with snorkeling and whale watching tips

It took two weekends to realize the dream of whale watching by round-Trip from Hong Kong to Okinawa. Humpback whales migrate to the waters of Okinawa from January to March every year. Compared with the time, distance and price of chasing whales in Tonga, whale watching in Okinawa is much more cost-effective. There are two types of whale watching in Okinawa. Watching on the boat, about 300 RMB, reservation through TB ​​and other channels; snorkeling and whale swimming (Whale Swim Trip), about 1,000 RMB. All of the above need to be booked in advance. The following guide is for snorkeling and whale watching.

1. Qualifications: free diving or scuba certification. The situation at sea in Okinawa is complicated and the waves are big, so divers need to be able to take care of themselves.

2. Dive shops:
(1) alpha dive Okinawa
(2) Deep emotion marine
(3) Diver's guide guma
(4) Diving with Blue Magic Scuba in Cozumel
(5) Okinawa 39ers

I have contacted all the above dive shops via email. I have participated in the first two dive shops. The dive guides are very professional and the dive shops will reply to emails. There is no need to worry about communication problems.

3. Hotel: The port is in Ginowan City. It is recommended to stay in Ginowan City or Chatan Town. You can contact the dive shop for pick-up. Or you can stay at the hotel opposite the port [Okinawa Prince Hotel Ocean View Ginowan], which is about a 5-minute walk away.

4. Comply with local snorkeling and whale watching rules:
(1) Whale watching rules video. The dive shop will send a video of precautions before the trip. When you go out, the dive shop will confirm whether you have watched it. If you have not watched it, the trip will be cancelled directly;
(2) You cannot dive or touch. No duck dive or angel dive, you can only snorkel;
(3) Most dive shops require scuba fins, free diving fins may not be allowed;
(4) Requirements for entering the water and kicking fins. The noise when entering the water should not be too loud, you can only kick the fins underwater, and there should be no splashes when kicking;
(5) The extension rod of the sports camera must not be extended too long;
(6) You cannot chase whales or touch them. Especially mother and calf whales, the baby whales will be frightened;
(7) Self-care ability underwater. The sea is full of waves and there are many people, the scene is relatively chaotic, and the dive guide may not be able to pay attention to everyone's situation. The second session I participated in had particularly large waves, and the lady snorkeling on the next boat almost drowned. If you are not physically fit or encounter other conditions that are not suitable for entering the water, don't be stubborn, safety first.