Okinawa, Japan: Swimming, Snorkeling & Diving with Whale Sharks
- Get up close to the world's largest fish - the whale shark
- Professional instructors will accompany you throughout the entire water activity, ensuring your safety and well-being.
- The professional coach provides detailed pre-trip instructions, so even those who can't swim can experience it.
Package Options
Water Activities
| Water activity type | Snorkeling, Diving |
| Special water activity | Trial dive (beginner), Fun dive (license required) |
Product Info
What You Can Expect
1 Day
- Toya Fishing Port B1 Top Marine Remnant Collection
- Registration, pre-event preparation, activity briefing, departure (approximately 10 minutes to reach the designated location).
- Swimming and snorkeling with whale sharks (approximately 30 minutes) or
- Swimming with whale sharks or Fun Diving (approximately 30 minutes, including practice and preparation time)
- After returning to port, showers and changes were held before the group disbanded.
Purchase Notice
- Only guests aged 59 and weighing less than 120kg are eligible to participate.
- Guests who are flying on the same day cannot register for the introductory diving or fun diving tours.
- Participants aged 6-12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, while participants aged 13 to under 18 must bring a signed consent form from a family member to participate in the activity.
- Besides Japanese, we can also arrange instructors who speak Chinese or English, but we cannot guarantee that we can arrange one for you. If you require a foreign language instructor, please specify your language preference when making your booking. Since foreign language instructors need to be outsourced, booking confirmation may take approximately 2-5 days. Please be aware of this.
- When registering, please provide the names, ages, heights, weights, and shoe sizes of all participants.
- Prescription diving masks are available. Please specify the prescription (in units of 0.00) if needed, otherwise we regret that we cannot provide them. Due to limited quantity, the prescription may not meet your needs; we recommend that you wear disposable contact lenses instead.
- To protect the health and well-being of the whale sharks, introductory and fun diving trips will not take place inside the nets where the whale sharks are located. Instead, participants will observe them from outside the nets. Snorkeling trips will involve observing the whale sharks from above the nets (on the sea surface). Please be aware of this.
- The Fun Diving tour does not include diving equipment. If you require equipment, please inform us in advance in the message box and pay an additional fee of ￥3,200 on-site.
- Guests participating in Fun Diving need to have 10 or more diving experiences (calculated from the date of obtaining their certification), and at least one of those dives must have been within the last six months to qualify. Therefore, please inform us of your previous diving experience and the date of your last dive when registering; otherwise, your reservation will not be accepted. Furthermore, guests participating in Fun Diving must bring their diving certification on the day of the activity. If it is discovered on the day that you are not eligible, you will not be able to participate in the activity, and no refund will be given.
- The whale shark event venue is open daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Japan time. Please submit any changes or cancellations during these hours. Submissions made after these hours will be processed on the next business day.
Surcharge(s)
Weighing 100 kg or rented with equipment
Due to equipment limitations, guests weighing over 100 kg will need to pay the following additional fees on-site: ※Snorkeling trip: Requires renting a larger size life jacket (1200 yen) and a wetsuit (1200 yen).
※Introductory scuba diving trip: Requires renting a larger size wetsuit (1200 yen) and a BCD (buoyancy compensator) (1200 yen).
Facility usage fee
For participants joining the event from April 1, 2026 onwards, please pay a facility usage fee of 500 yen per person on-site. (Cash only)
Reminders
In case of delays caused by traffic, weather, or other force majeure factors resulting in the cancellation of some itinerary attractions, please contact customer service. We will arrange a partial refund for you
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Asthma, Epilepsy, Pregnant women
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
The departure may be cancelled due to poor sea conditions. The departure status will be announced before 08:00 on the same day.
Those with mental, neurological, cardiovascular, or respiratory disorders (such as asthma), pregnant or suspected pregnant travelers, those with ear, nose, or throat diseases, joint or motor nervous system diseases, diabetes, or serious illnesses are not eligible to participate in this trip.
If you have had surgery, recently undergone surgery, or have any of the conditions not mentioned above, please be sure to inform us before making your formal appointment. If you inform us on the day of the event and are unable to attend as a result, no refund will be given. We apologize for the inconvenience.
If the on-site instructors determine that a tourist's physical condition is not suitable for participating in water activities, they have the right to refuse the tourist's participation, and no refund will be given. Please be aware of this.
Those who consume alcohol on the day of the event, or who are informed on-site of any medical condition that they are prohibited from participating in the activity or taking the boat, will be charged 100% of the activity fee, which will not be refunded by KKday. Please do not travel by plane within 18 hours after participating in the activity.
For participants joining the event from April 1, 2026 onwards, please pay a facility usage fee of 500 yen per person on-site. (Cash only)
How to Redeem Your Voucher
How to Use Your Voucher
- Please present the e-voucher on-site
Validity Period
- The voucher must be used on the selected date and within operating hours; Invalid after expiration
Meeting Point
Location Name: TopMarine / Toya Fishing Port B1
Address: 33 Toya, Yomiyani Village, Nakagami District, Toya Fishing Port
Experience Location
Location Name: Okinawa Miya Fishing Port
Address: 33 Tsuya, Yomitani Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa PrefectureCancellation Policy
- For cancellations made at least 3 day(s) prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–2 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Yes, the whale shark encounters near Yomitan Village in Okinawa are known for their consistent presence. These activities typically take place in designated areas, often sea pens, where whale sharks are kept, ensuring that participants have a reliable opportunity to swim alongside them. This setup allows for a high chance of interaction with these majestic creatures, making it a dependable experience for visitors.
Whale shark snorkeling and diving activities in Okinawa, particularly near Yomitan Village, are generally available year-round. Since these encounters often occur in controlled environments like sea pens, the presence of whale sharks is stable regardless of the season. However, weather conditions and water clarity might vary, with spring and autumn typically offering calm seas and comfortable temperatures for water activities.
The whale shark snorkeling and diving activities in Okinawa specifically take place near Yomitan Village. This area is renowned for hosting these unique encounters, often utilizing designated sea pens or specific offshore locations that provide a safe and controlled environment for interacting with the whale sharks. Participants will typically depart from a local port or facility within or close to Yomitan Village.
For whale shark snorkeling and diving in Okinawa, professional coaches accompany participants throughout the entire activity, ensuring safety and security. They provide detailed pre-departure instructions, covering essential techniques and safety protocols, even for those new to snorkeling. Life vests and proper equipment are typically provided, and the activities often take place in controlled environments to minimize risks and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
To reach the whale shark tour departure points in Yomitan Village, Okinawa, participants generally have several transportation options. Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring Okinawa and reaching destinations like Yomitan. Alternatively, public buses operate across the island, though direct routes to specific departure points might require transfers. Some tour operators may also offer pick-up services or specify meeting points accessible by taxi.
The Okinawa whale shark encounter experience typically includes various water activities designed for interaction with these gentle giants. Participants can enjoy fun diving, which allows for deeper immersion, snorkeling for surface viewing, and direct swimming alongside the majestic whale sharks. Professional coaches are present to guide all activities, ensuring that even those without prior snorkeling experience can comfortably participate and witness the world's largest fish up close.
From Naha city, the primary transportation options to the whale shark tour departure locations in Yomitan, Okinawa, include renting a car, which is convenient for a direct journey of about 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. Public buses are also available; you would typically take a bus from Naha Bus Terminal towards Yomitan Village, possibly requiring a transfer. Taxis or ride-sharing services offer a direct but more costly alternative.
Before joining the whale shark snorkeling or diving activity, participants should prepare swimwear, a towel, and sun protection like hats and reef-safe sunscreen. It's advisable to bring a change of clothes. Even if you don't know how to snorkel, professional coaches will provide detailed pre-departure instructions and guidance. Basic swimming ability is generally recommended for comfort, though safety equipment is provided. Follow all instructions from the coaches for a safe experience.
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