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Cape Zanpa, Okinawa | Swimming with Whale Sharks (Self-Guided)

Japan | Okinawa |

4132 are interested with this tour

2.5 hr

1~12 for a group

Self-arrival

4Days prior to the tour for booking

Language： Chinese、English、Japanese

AUD $ 176.4 up

Cape Zanpa, Okinawa | Swimming with Whale Sharks (Self-Guided)

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Tour Overview

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Swim with the gentle whale sharks!

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It takes about 5 minutes by boat from the port to reach the experience location.

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Don't miss this rare opportunity to get up close and personal with whale sharks.

If you want to get up close and personal with Okinawa's adorable whale sharks, try our whale shark diving experience. Meet directly at our location at Cape Zanpa. After an instructional session on the equipment, take a boat from Yomitan Village in Okinawa to the whale shark breeding ground (protected by a net) approximately 800 meters away. There, you can swim with these adorable whale sharks! The experience begins!

Whale sharks, also known as tofu sharks, are the world's largest fish, primarily found in tropical and temperate waters. Despite their enormous size, they feed only on plankton and small fish. Isn't that a cute contrast?!

The white spots on their bodies shine like stars beneath the surface, earning them the nickname "stars of the sea."

In Japan, whale sharks are called Jinbeisame (Jinbeisame) because the markings on their bodies resemble the traditional Japanese men's clothing, known as jinbei (Jinbei). Despite their large size, whale sharks are known for their gentle dispositions and non-aggressive nature, making them beloved by both adults and children. To protect these adorable and docile whale sharks and maintain their ecosystem, please refrain from wearing sunscreen during activities. Whale sharks may ingest sunscreen dissolved in the water while feeding.

-Notes | A Must-Do for Okinawa Travelers! Whale Shark Diving Experience (Self-Guided)

Chinese-speaking staff are available, but not always. If there are no Chinese-speaking staff on your preferred date, you will be notified in advance during reservation.

-Age Limit | A Must-Do for Okinawa Travelers! Whale Shark Diving Experience (Self-Guided)

Diving with whale sharks: Ages 6 to 59

Activity process

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Please gather 30 minutes before each departure time

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Check-in at the store, change of clothes, and itinerary explanation (30 minutes)

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Depart for the experience location by boat (approximately 10 minutes to arrive at the designated location)

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Let’s start the activity!

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Diving with whale sharks (approximately 20-30 minutes)

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Back on board and depart for the port

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After returning to the port, we showered and changed clothes and dispersed.

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【Time required: Approximately 150 minutes (from the start of the meeting to the end)】

Photos

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Cape Zanpa, Okinawa | Swimming with Whale Sharks (Self-Guided)

Travel Notes

Only foreign nationals aged 59 and above are accepted.

Guests with flights on the same day are not eligible to participate in the trial diving tour.

When registering, please provide the name, age, height, weight, foot size, whether you require prescription diving goggles for myopia, and the representative's contact number.

Please be on time 30 minutes before each departure time. No refunds will be given if you are unable to join the tour due to personal reasons. Please be punctual and understand.

Prescription diving goggles for myopia are available. If required, please specify the prescription in the 0.00 range; otherwise, they will not be available. Due to limited availability, the prescription may not be available. We recommend wearing disposable contact lenses.

Elementary school students must be accompanied by a parent. Junior high school students and minors require a signed family consent form.

Departures may be canceled due to poor sea conditions. We will notify you of the departure status by 8:00 AM on the day of departure.
Please bring your own swimwear, towel, clean change of clothes, and sunscreen.

The shop provides: changing rooms, hot and cold showers (free), and lockers (¥100 per use).

People with heart disease, respiratory problems (such as asthma), ear and nose problems, neurological or psychiatric conditions, joint or motor neurological problems, or diabetes are not eligible for this tour.

English and Chinese support are available; please contact customer service to indicate your preferred language when booking. (
English or Chinese support staff may not be available every day; we will notify you when we confirm availability.)

[On-site rental] Underwater camera rental for ¥2,600 per unit (includes a 2GB SD card). Payment is available on-site. Please inform us in advance if you require this.

Detailed meeting details will be emailed the day before departure; please be sure to check your reservation email address.

Tour Pricing

The cost includes:

The cost does not include:

Cape Zanpa, Okinawa | Swimming with Whale Sharks | Meals

Cancellation Clauses

Cancellations made 14 days before the start of the trip will receive a full refund (a $200 handling fee will be charged per order).

Cancellations made 7-13 days (including the 7th day) before the start of the trip will incur a 20% handling fee.

Cancellations made 4-6 days (including the 4th day) before the start of the trip will incur a 40% handling fee.

Cancellations made 3 days (including the 3rd day) before the start of the trip will not receive a refund.

Rescheduling requests due to personal reasons will be deemed cancellations and will be handled in accordance with the cancellation policy outlined above.

No refunds will be given if participants cancel their participation due to reasons not attributable to the organizer.

In the event of force majeure such as natural disasters, Tripbaa will proactively notify you of a postponement or refund.

A $200 handling fee will be charged for each refund.

Meeting point:

33 Toya Fishing Port, Toya Village, Nakatashi County (Top Marine Zanpa Store)

Getting There

TopMarine Zanpa/Miya Fishing Port B1

Driving is recommended; free parking is available.

Use your in-car navigation system and enter "098-956-0070" or the map code: 33792273.