Island Message
26°19′ N 127°45′ EWhale watching
Island Message runs three-hour morning whale-watching trips in winter from Chatan's Minato district on the ISAMI, a 57-seat cruiser it now limits to 30 passengers, for ¥7,500 a person aged 4 and up, with a money-back guarantee in February.
Island Message calls Chatan one of the few whale-watching departure points, and it saves guests based around American Village the drive to Naha. The ISAMI has separate toilets for men and women and a sheltered cabin with sofas out of the wind, and the company caps each trip at 30 people on a boat built for 57. Most of the morning goes to the search: the boat sails at 9:00, the watching usually starts around 11:00, and you are back around midday.
The trip needs ten bookings to run, so book early in your stay and keep a spare morning. Nobody pregnant, unwell or hungover may board.
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning whale watching on the cruiser ISAMI from ChatanChildren 0–3 ¥3,000. Meets 8:30 at 4 Minato, Chatan, sails 9:00; parking included. Sails only with 10 or more booked. The listing gives the money-back period as 1 February to 15 March in its title and 1–28 February in its terms, so confirm which applies. Free cancellation until 14:00 the day before. OneTwoSmile listing read in October 2026. | ¥7,500 / person aged 4+ | About 3 hr | Winter season; dates not given on the listing |
FAQ
Quick answers about Island Messageよくある質問
Is there whale watching from Chatan?
Yes. Island Message runs winter whale watching from Chatan on its cruiser ISAMI, sailing at 9:00 and returning around midday, for ¥7,500 a person aged 4 and up.
Does Island Message refund if no whales are seen?
Yes. Island Message offers a refund when no whale is seen during its February guarantee period, which one line of its listing extends to 15 March. A distant blow counts as a sighting.
How much does Island Message charge?
Island Message lists Morning whale watching on the cruiser ISAMI from Chatan from ¥7,500 per person aged 4+ (About 3 hr).
Does Island Message speak English?
Island Message works in Japanese.
Is Island Message open in winter?
Island Message: Island Message runs whale watching only in winter, with one morning sailing from Chatan. If no whale is seen in its refund window in February (the listing also mentions mid-March), you get your money back; a distant blow counts as a sighting, and seasickness that keeps you below does not earn a refund.
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