10 winter sea activities in Okinawa
- At Busena Marine Park, the glass-bottom boat is ¥1,560 and underwater observatory ¥1,050; Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium admission is ¥2,180.
- Whale-watching boats cost about ¥5,500–¥8,000 per person, operating from December 19, 2026 from Naha and December 26 from Chatan.
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is open 8:30–18:30, with no closing days planned until the end of March 2027.
This article contains advertising (affiliate links).
Winter in Okinawa is not the season for swimming in a swimsuit. Still, you can enjoy the sea from December to February without getting wet: glass-bottom boats, aquariums, whale-watching boats and boats to the outlying islands. To see under the sea and stay dry, the glass-bottom boat (adults ¥1,560) and the underwater observatory (adults ¥1,050) at Busena Marine Park run from 9:00 even in winter. Whale-watching boats start in late December from Zamami, Tokashiki, Naha and Chatan. This page compares 10 places by price and winter hours.
In short
- See the sea without getting wet: Busena Marine Park (Nago), Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu) and DMM Kariyushi Aquarium (Tomigusuku).
- Whale-watching boats: from 4 places, Zamami, Tokashiki, Naha and Chatan (from late December).
- Cross to an island: Tokashiki and Zamami can be done as a day trip from Naha.
- To get in the water: from November it is wetsuit season. At Maeda Cape (Blue Cave) you swim at your own risk.
Checked with official pages on November 1, 2026 (Japan time).
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10 winter sea activities in Okinawa: prices and winter hours
The lowest adult price in the table is the underwater observatory at Busena Marine Park, ¥1,050. Whale-watching boats cost about ¥5,500–¥8,000 per person and run only in set seasons.
| Place | Where | Adult price | Winter hours / season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busena Marine Park | Nago | Tower ¥1,050, glass-bottom boat ¥1,560, both ¥2,100 | Nov–Mar: tower 9:00–17:30, boat 9:10–17:00 |
| Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | Motobu | ¥2,180 | 8:30–18:30, no closing days planned until the end of March 2027 |
| DMM Kariyushi Aquarium | Tomigusuku | ¥3,100–¥3,500 (varies by day) | Some days 9:00–19:00 (see the operating calendar) |
| Whale watching, Zamami | Zamami Island | ¥7,700 (association standard) + ¥600 whale-search service fee | 2026: Jan 8–Mar 25 |
| Whale watching, Tokashiki | Tokashiki Island | ¥8,000 (excl. tax, 2 hours) | 2026: Jan 24–Mar 8 |
| Whale watching from Naha | Naha | ¥5,500–¥6,500 (about 3 hours) | Dec 19, 2026–Apr 4, 2027 |
| Whale watching from Chatan | Chatan | ¥8,000 | Dec 26, 2026–Mar 31, 2027 |
| Day trip to Tokashiki Island | From Tomari Port, Naha | High-speed boat ¥3,300 one way | 40 min by high-speed boat, about 7 hours on the island |
| Day trip to Zamami Island | From Tomari Port, Naha | High-speed boat ¥3,950 one way | 50 min by high-speed boat (docking, no service until Dec 3) |
| Maeda Cape (Blue Cave) | Onna | Swim at your own risk | Showers and lockers 7:00–18:30 (closed Jan 1–3) |
Sources: the official sites of each facility and operator, and the village boat pages (checked November 1, 2026). Whale-watching prices and seasons are the values checked for each operator in our winter whale-watching article (Japanese).
Can you swim in the sea in winter?
The swimming season in Okinawa runs from late March to about October. From November it is wetsuit season. The Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau’s “Okinawa Story” site says that from November the water temperature starts to fall below 25°C and a swimsuit feels chilly. You can check the sea surface temperature of the day on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s page for Okinawa coastal waters. For winter temperatures and clothing, see our winter Okinawa travel guide (Japanese).
See the sea without getting wet
Busena Marine Park (Nago)
This facility has an underwater observatory tower built out over the sea off Nago and a glass-bottom boat. The underwater observatory is ¥1,050 for adults and ¥530 for children (age 4 to junior high school). The glass-bottom boat is ¥1,560 for adults (high school and older) and ¥780 for children. A set of both is ¥2,100 for adults and ¥1,050 for children.
The glass-bottom boat is a trip of about 20 minutes. From November to March it leaves at 9:10 and then at 10, 30 and 50 minutes past each hour (at 10 and 30 minutes past only in the 16:00 hour; capacity 36). The park has posted temporary closing days for November 2026, so check the official notice for your date.
| Name | Busena Marine Park |
|---|---|
| Address | 1744-1 Kise, Nago City, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | Underwater Observatory Tower: November–March 9:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00), April–October 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30) / Glass-bottom boat: November–March 9:10–17:00, April–October 9:10–17:30 / Irregular holidays |
| Phone | 0980-52-3379 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu)
This aquarium is inside Ocean Expo Park. Admission is ¥2,180 for adults, ¥1,440 for high school students, ¥710 for elementary and junior high school students, and free under 6. The aquarium says no closing days are planned until March 31, 2027. From Naha Airport it is about 2 hours by car (using the expressway).
| Name | Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium |
|---|---|
| Address | 424 Ishikawa, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | 8:30–18:30 (last entry 17:30). No closures planned until March 31, 2027 (except temporary closures due to typhoons, etc.) |
| Phone | 0980-48-3748 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
DMM Kariyushi Aquarium (Tomigusuku)
This aquarium is in Toyosaki, Tomigusuku, about 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport. Individual prices have 3 levels depending on the day. Adults (18 and over) pay ¥3,100 (Value), ¥3,250 (Regular) or ¥3,500 (Peak). Ages 13–17 pay ¥2,500–¥2,900, ages 4–12 pay ¥2,000–¥2,400, and ages 3 and under are free. The official operating calendar shows which price applies on which day. It is easy to fit in on the day you arrive or leave, when you have spare time.
| Name | DMM Kariyushi Aquarium |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-35 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | 9:00–19:00 on some days (last entry 60 minutes before closing; see official operating calendar for daily hours) |
| Phone | 098-996-4844 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Whale-watching boats, winter only
Boats to see humpback whales run only in winter, from late December to early April, from 4 places: Zamami, Tokashiki, Naha and Chatan. For a fuller comparison of prices, seasons and trip lengths, see our winter whale-watching article (Japanese).
Whale watching at Zamami (Zamami Whale Watching Association)
The association ran its 2026 tours from January 8 to March 25. The association’s standard price was ¥7,700 for adults and ¥3,850 for children (tax included). A whale-search service fee of ¥600 is charged separately, and the boat fare to Zamami Island is also separate.
| Name | Zamami Whale Watching Association |
|---|---|
| Address | Zamami Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | January 8–March 25, 2026 (morning and afternoon tours) |
| Phone | 080-8370-1084 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Whale watching at Tokashiki (Kujiland)
The Tokashiki Whale Watching Team Kujiland lists on its official site a 2-hour course for ¥8,000 per person (excl. tax) in 2026, from January 24 to March 8.
| Name | Tokashiki Whale Watching Team Kujiland |
|---|---|
| Address | Tokashiki Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | January 24–March 8, 2026 (2-hour course) |
| Phone | 070-5691-7472 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Whale watching from Naha (NEWS, Mie-gusuku Port)
Total Marine Spot NEWS runs its season from December 19, 2026 to April 4, 2027. The morning boat leaves at 9:00 and takes about 3 hours. Adults pay ¥5,500–¥6,500 and children (3–11) pay ¥4,500–¥5,500. There is a free pick-up from designated places in Naha, and you do not have to cross to an island.
| Name | Total Marine Spot NEWS (Departing from Naha / Mie-gusuku Port) |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-7-2 Kinjo, Naha City, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | December 19, 2026–April 4, 2027: 9:00 departure, 13:30 departure (meet 30 minutes before) |
| Phone | 098-891-9090 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Whale watching from Chatan (Island Message, Hamagawa Fishing Port)
The season is December 26, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Adults (12 and over) pay ¥8,000 and children (6–11) pay ¥7,000. There is no service on December 31 and January 1, and parking at Hamagawa Fishing Port is free.
| Name | Island Message (Departing from Chatan / Hamagawa Fishing Port) |
|---|---|
| Address | Hamagawa Fishing Port, Chatan Town, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | December 26, 2026–March 31, 2027: Morning tour departs at 9:00 (no service December 31 and January 1) |
| Phone | 098-936-8292 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Cross to an island and see the winter sea
You can cross to the Kerama islands from Tomari Port in Naha in the morning and come back in the evening. For boat times and fares to 12 islands, see our winter outlying-islands article (Japanese).
Day trip to Tokashiki Island
The Tokashiki village high-speed boat “Marine Liner Tokashiki” takes 40 minutes from Tomari Port. The adult one-way fare is ¥3,300 (revised on October 1, 2026). On the December 2026 timetable, taking the 9:00 boat out and the 17:00 boat back gives you about 7 hours on the island.
↑ Back to the comparison table
Day trip to Zamami Island
The Zamami village high-speed boat “Queen Zamami” takes 50 minutes from Tomari Port. The adult one-way fare is ¥3,950, and visitors from outside the island pay a ¥100 Churashima tax. Queen Zamami is out of service for docking from October 20 to December 3, 2026. During that time only the ferry “Zamami”, which takes 2 hours one way, runs.
↑ Back to the comparison table
If you want to get in the water in winter
Maeda Cape (Onna, Blue Cave)
Maeda Cape in Onna is the starting point for snorkeling and diving at the Blue Cave. The official guide asks visitors who swim to take great care and to swim at their own risk.
| Name | Maeda Cape |
|---|---|
| Address | 469-1 Maeda, Onna Village, Okinawa |
| Hours / Closed | Management Office 8:30–17:30, Parking 7:00–19:00, Showers and lockers 7:00–18:30 (from April 1, 2026) / Closed January 1–3 |
| Phone | 098-982-5339 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
How to choose
- With children, staying dry: the glass-bottom boat at Busena Marine Park (about 20 minutes), or Churaumi Aquarium or Kariyushi Aquarium.
- Spare time near the airport: DMM Kariyushi Aquarium (about 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport).
- Something you can only see in winter: whale watching from late December.
- Staying around Motobu or Nago: Churaumi Aquarium and Busena Marine Park on the same day.
You can also look for aquarium tickets and sea activities on the booking sites below the article.
Official information checked: November 1, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
Sources
15 pages we checked
- Busena Marine Park: price list
- Busena Marine Park: glass-bottom boat
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: admission
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: hours and closing days
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: access and parking
- DMM Kariyushi Aquarium: prices and tickets
- DMM Kariyushi Aquarium: official site (hours and access)
- Maeda Cape: notice of shower hours
- Maeda Cape: usage guide
- Tokashiki Village: boat information
- Zamami Village: boat fare table
- Zamami Village: ferry service information
- Okinawa Story: how long can you swim in Okinawa?
- Japan Meteorological Agency: sea surface temperature, Okinawa coastal waters
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on November 1, 2026 (Japan time).
