& Ocean
Giant creatures, up to 12 metres long, swim right in front of you.
As this is a swim tour, you actually go underwater to observe them, not just on the boat.
You have to actually experience this excitement. We would like everyone to experience this at least once!
The season starts in December, but by March the weather is much warmer and easier to join.
● We depart in smaller numbers of guests than other companies.
● &Ocean is with many repeating customers, but first-timers are also very welcome.
● Detailed presentations about whales and their habitat before the swim.
[& Ocean Schedule]
Mar 2025
1ST Cool (open for bookings)
Tuesday 11 Mar Arrival Northern Amami Diving
Wed 12 Mar Whale Swim
Thu 13 Mar Whale Swim
Fri 14 Mar Southern Amami diving
Sat 15 Mar Return
2ND Cool (open for bookings)
Sat 15 Mar Arrival Northern Amami Diving
Sun 16 Mar Whale Swim
Mon 17 Mar Whale Swim
Tue 18 Mar Southern Amami Diving
Wed 19 Mar Return
3RD Cool (Fully booked)
Wed 19 Mar Arrival Northern Amami Diving
Thursday 20 March Southern Amami diving
Fri 21 Mar Whale Swim
Sat 22 Mar Whale Swim
Sunday 23 March Return
Participation for five days is the most efficient for your enjoyment, but you are welcome to participate on a day-by-day basis.
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As &Ocean, we started the Whale Swim Tour in 2021 and this is our fifth year!
There are only about six whale boats on Amami Oshima and all captains are members of the Whale and Dolphin Association.
We all work together to find whales and give each other tours.
It has been nearly 10 years since whale swims began in Amami, and approaches to the whales have been studied, and recently the probability of being able to observe the whales slowly in the water has increased dramatically.
We never use unreasonable manoeuvres or approaches and give priority to the whales, so even those who have had bad experiences in Okinawa and other places in the past are welcome to join us.
【Fees】
①Day1 Diving in the northern part of Amami
1 boat dive 12,000 yen
2 boat dive 19,000 yen
3 boat dives 24,000 yen
② & Ocean Whale Swim fees
Swim 1 day 30,000 yen
③ Diving fees in the south part of Amami
3 boat dives ¥26,000
④Rental equipment / 1 day
Full diving rental (BCD, regulator, mask, fins, wets, dicone) ¥9,900
BCD and regulator set ¥5,500
Dive computer ¥2,200
Whale swim full rental (mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit) ¥4,400
Light equipment set (mask, fins, snorkel) ¥2,200
Single item rental (mask, fins, snorkel) ¥1,100 each
Individual wetsuit rental ¥2,200
Boat coat 1,100 yen
Other costs
① Airline ticket
(Arrangements to be made on your own)
②Accommodation
(Arrangements to be made on your own or ask us)
If you make your own arrangements, please book an accomodation in Koniya. (Sauna & Stay, Raivest Inn, Sunflower Hotel, etc.)
If arranged by &Ocean, accommodation will be at the Gori Marine House on Kakeroma Island. Details.
(After the whale swim, members will continue to enjoy sightseeing and barbecue on the island)
③ Transportation or car rental costs
Cost of transfer between the southern part of the island and the airport on the first and last day (¥3,000 one way).
If you can't make it to the airport on time, you can rent a car on your own.
If you want to go sightseeing on the way, please arrange your own rental car.
[Diving Flow in the northern part of the island on the day of arrival]
3 dives (include lunch) for those who can arrive at Kise Fishing Port by 8:40am, such as those who stayed the night before.
2 dives (include lunch) for those who arrive at Amami Airport by 11:00
Those who arrive at Amami Airport by 13:30 can participate in 1 dive (no lunch served).
Those arriving at Amami Airport by 13:30 can take part in 1 dive (no lunch served). After the afternoon dive, transfer by car(30minutes).
Dinner in Nase or other places, then further transfer to Koniya(1hour).
20:00-21:00 Dismissal at your hotel in Koniya.
[Whale Swim Day Flow]
8:30 Depart from the jetty at Surihama (in front of the lodge) for those staying in Kakaroma.
8:45 For those staying in Koniya, please come to the Gori Marine boarding area in Sude. (Takuma mobile phone 08060064630)
8:50 Boarding
9:00 Departure, whale search, swim.
Lunch time will not be provided, so please have lunch on your own timing.
16:00 Return to marina (hot shower and change of clothes on board) Dismissal
Return time may change depending on sea and whale conditions.
[A day of diving in the South part of Amami]
8:30 Depart from the jetty at Surihama (in front of the lodge) for those staying in Kakaroma.
8:45 For those staying at Koniya, please come to the Gori Marine boarding area at Sude. (Takuma mobile phone 08060064630)
8:50 Board the boat
9:00 Departure from port
9:30 1st dive
11:00 2nd dive
12:00 Lunch prepared by the captain (fisherman)
13:30 3rd dive
15:00 Return to port, disbanding
[Pick-up, rental car, bus]
We will pick you up and drop you off if possible. (Exemption, ¥3,000 one-way).
If you wish to get around on your own or sightsee separately, you can rent a car on your own.
In this case, you can rent a car at the airport on the first day and return it at the airport on the last day.
Alternatively, you can rent a car at the airport on the first day and return it in the south (Koniya), or rent a car in the south (Koniya) and return it at the airport on the last day. (Note: You can also rent a car from the airport and return it to the airport on the last day.
(NB: Currently only one car rental company offers this service between Nanbu and the airport, so early booking is recommended.
Kuro-Usagi Car Rental Reservation Tel: 0997-63-0600.
0The direct bus service between Koniya and the airport will cease to operate from June 2024, and you will need to change trains at Nase.
Please use with caution.
[What to bring]
●Change of clothes, towel (a changing poncho or similar is useful)
●Swimsuits (more than one for your convenience)
●Clothing that can get wet (boat coat, windbreaker + fleece, down coat from Uniqlo, etc. for protection against the cold on the boat)
●Warm hat, neck warmer, etc. for use on the boat
●Sandals or boots (boots that can be worn while wet are useful)
●Sunglasses and sunscreen
●Sea sickness medication (essential, it can be bumpy)
●Hot drinks (insulated water bottles) No drinks are provided on board.
●Lunch (onigiri or something simple you can eat on a rocking boat)
●Diving certification card
●Log book
●pen
[Snorkelling equipment] (if you don't have any, make sure you have requested rental)
●Mask
●Fins
●Snorkel
●Wetsuits (it can be cold in a 5mm full suit alone, so a hooded vest and gloves would be useful)
[Camera equipment]
●Camera
●Housing
●SD card
●Batteries and chargers
[Cancellation policy]
Cancellation less than 1 month before the swim date: 100% of the swim fee
Cancellation less than 2 months prior to the swim: 70% of the swim fee
In the event of flight cancellations, etc., please change your flight if another flight is available.
Cancellation fees apply unless all airlines are cancelled or otherwise physically unable to come to the island.
If you are unable to go on a whale tour due to weather or other reasons, the tour will be changed to a diving tour.
If for any other reason, AND OCEAN cannot organise the tour, a full refund will be given.
Payment.
All customers will receive an invoice by 10 Feb.
Payment must be made by bank transfer or Credit card by 20 Feb.
Please pay the balance and any additional local costs by cash, card or bank transfer on the last day of the tour.
A 3% service charge applies to card payments.
!!Please read carefully!!
●The conditions for participation in the swim are that you must hold a diving licence and have no fear of swimming.
●The swim is for people who have a diving licence and are not worried about their swimming ability.
●You will be required to swim by yourself in the sea, where you cannot see the bottom.
●This is a whale-first tour.
●You will not be forced to chase the whales or go around in front of them.
●When in the water, if you see a whale, stop moving. This is the rule.
●If you want to get up close and personal with the whales and take photos, this is not for you. This is not for those who want to get up close and personal with the whales.
●Even if you can see the whale from the boat, you may not always be able to swim with it, depending on its condition.
●No refunds will be given in the event that you cannot swim with or see the whales.
●Observation from the surface.
●Skin diving and duck diving are not permitted, regardless of skill level.
●Scuba diving for whales is also prohibited in Amami.
●The sea can be rough.
●Amami winters are often windy and waves can be 2-3 metres high.
●Please assess the conditions on the surface of the water and your own skills, and if you consider it dangerous, do not enter the water.
●The captain and guides may restrict entry to the water if they consider it dangerous.
● The boat will sail even if it rains.
●Even if you are only whale watching, you may get wet from rain or spray.
●Rain gear and waterproof clothing are useful. Boots are also useful.
●In March 2024, it was quite warm and you only need a hoodie over a T-shirt for the whole day.
●On sunny days, the temperature rises to over 20°C and it is warm, but there are also cold days when a down jacket is required.
●Take good wind and cold protection just in case.
●Gloves, knitted hats and neck warmers are also useful.
● Be prepared for seasickness.
●As you will be out in the open sea looking for whales, the boat will be very bumpy.
●Get a good night's sleep the day before and take Sea-sickness medication.
●It is not possible to disembark during the tour.
＆Ocean Amami Whale Swim tour
