Zamami Whale Watching Association
座間味村ホエールウォッチング協会26°14′ N 127°18′ EWhale watchingZamami-jimaEnglish spoken
The Zamami Whale Watching Association runs 1–2 hour humpback trips from Zamami Port between early January and late March (8 January to 25 March in 2026), at ¥7,700 an adult in 2026, with spotters on the island's lookouts guiding nine member boats by radio.
Photo keizo okada · Unsplash
Humpbacks come into the Kerama channel every winter to calve, and Zamami organizes its whale watching as a village. Spotters stand on several lookouts above the island and talk the captains in by radio, so the boats head straight for the blows. The watching grounds sit close to shore, and the association says that keeps seasickness down. Boats hold 100 m off the whales and cap time with a mother and calf at about an hour.
Since January 2024 you book with one of the nine member shops by phone, and the association's site lists each boat with its number. Dive Center Noi and Nature Land Kayaks say they take English bookings. The 2026 fare was ¥7,700 for an adult and ¥3,850 for a child, plus the ¥600 spotting fee. Book by the day before at the latest, and check the season dates for 2027 before you buy ferry tickets from Tomari.
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale watching, morning or afternoonChildren 6–12 pay ¥3,850. Everyone pays a ¥600 spotting fee on top, which funds whale protection and research. Member shops may set their own prices, so confirm the fare when you book. | ¥7,700 / adult | 1–2 hr | 8 January to 25 March in 2026; 2027 dates not yet published |
FAQ
Quick answers about Zamami Whale Watching Associationよくある質問
Can you see whales from Zamami in late February?
Yes. Late February falls inside the Zamami Whale Watching Association's season, which ran from 8 January to 25 March in 2026. Member boats go out in the morning and the afternoon when the sea allows, and spotters on the island's lookouts direct them to the whales.
How much does whale watching on Zamami cost?
The Zamami Whale Watching Association's 2026 fare was ¥7,700 for an adult and ¥3,850 for a child aged 6 to 12. A ¥600 spotting fee for whale protection and research is added on top. Member shops can set their own prices, so confirm the fare when you book.
How do you book Zamami whale watching?
You book directly with one of the association's nine member shops, by phone. The association moved individual bookings to the shops in January 2024 and lists every boat and number on its reservation page. It recommends booking by the day before.
Is Zamami whale watching available in English?
Yes. The Zamami Whale Watching Association lists English on two member boats, Dive Center Noi and Nature Land Kayaks. The Japan National Parks listing also says English and Korean support is available with advance notice.
Does Zamami Whale Watching Association speak English?
Yes. Zamami Whale Watching Association works in Japanese and English.
Is Zamami Whale Watching Association open in winter?
Zamami Whale Watching Association: The tours run only in whale season, which went from 8 January to 25 March in 2026. Boats go out in the morning and the afternoon when the sea allows.
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