Whale Watching
Boat Trip
Scenic Drive
Hiking
See humpback whales around the islands of Zamamijima and Tokashikijima
Whale watching is one of Keramashoto National Park's highlights. Humpback whales migrate here to breed, give birth and raise their young every year between late December and April. A host of whale-watching boat tours are available. Inazaki Observatory on Zamamijima Island and Teruyama Observatory on Tokashikijima Island, among others, offer a different perspective and are suitable whale-watching vantage points.
A humpback whale breaching near the Kerama Islands
A boat tour allows you to see the mesmerizing activity of humpback whales up close. Whale-watching boats follow strict rules to protect the breeding grounds of humpback whales. These include slowing down within 300 meters of a whale, minimizing boat movement when within 100 meters, and never interfering with their activities. A full-grown humpback whale can measure between 12 and 15 meters in length and weigh nearly 30 metric tons. The pectoral fins of a humpback can be up to 5 meters long, while its tail width can be equal to one-third of its overall length.
A humpback whale slapping its massive tail
Humpback whales have a variety of well-known behaviors, including the blow, breaching and tail slap. The blow refers to when a whale exhales forcefully at the ocean’s surface, and a cloud of moist air is expelled from the whale's blowhole. Breaching is when a whale leaps, exposing up to two-thirds of its body. A tail slap is when a whale strikes its tail against the surface of the water. This often produces a loud, concussive sound and is usually done several times in a row.
Inazaki Observatory on Zamamijima Island
If the seas are too rough for the whale-watching boats to venture out, or if you're not comfortable riding in boats, you can still watch humpback whales from island observatories. The observatories of Inazaki and Takatsukiyama, located near Zamami Village on Zamamijima Island, provide excellent vantage points. Teruyama Observatory and the Mihanabaru Nature Trail on Tokashikijima Island are also suitable locations for spotting these huge aquatic mammals. Binoculars are recommended for optimum views.
