Let's observe sea creatures in Kerama! You may see sea turtles, whales, dolphins, manta rays, nemuribuka, and other creatures!

What are the Kerama Islands like?

The Kerama Islands (Kerama-shoto), consisting of about 20 islands in the East China Sea, are located about 40 km west of Naha City on the main island.

The world-famous "Kerama blue" sea is considered a sacred place for divers, and divers from all over the world visit Kerama.

Kozamami Beach on Zamami Island was awarded two stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japon, and part of the Kerama Islands is designated as a national park, blessed with nature.

 

Attractions of Kerama

The greatest attraction of Kerama is the world-recognized clear blue sea called Kerama Blue.

The sea is densely populated with a wide variety of corals of about 250 species, and it is said that about 60% of Japan's coral species live in the Kerama Islands.

A wide variety of marine activities are available, and activities to observe beautiful coral and rare sea creatures are especially popular.

In addition, the 20-odd islands offer a wide range of natural beauty, and mountain walks can be enjoyed.

Many tourists come to Kerama for its beautiful wilderness.

 

Kerama blue that fascinates the world

 

Kerama Blue is so famous that it is called a sacred place for divers around the world.

In Kerama, where the water is crystal clear and you can see clearly into the distance, you can encounter sea turtles and manta rays, and get up close and personal with tropical fish that can only be seen in Kerama.

Whale watching is also popular in winter and spring, and humpback whales can be observed.

 

A sanctuary for marine activities

A wide variety of marine activity tours are offered on the island of Kerama, with plans ranging from half-day to full-day tours.

In addition, equipment for activities can be rented on the busy beaches, making it easy for visitors to enjoy activities on their own.

In addition to the standard snorkeling and diving, SUP, canoeing, and kayaking can also be experienced.

 

Magnificent Nature

The Kerama Islands, with their emerald green waters and mountains, are the 31st place in Japan to be designated as the Kerama Islands National Park.

Most of the islands are uninhabited and untouched by nature, and some protected areas are home to Kerama deer, which live only in Kerama.

Many observation decks overlooking the islands and the sea have been established, and island tours and trekking on rented motorcycles are popular.

It is also famous for its sunset spots, where you can watch the sun set into the sea and enjoy the great outdoors at night when the sky is full of stars.

 

Attraction of Kerama Blue

The Kerama blue, which attracts many people, appears clear when the sun's rays reflect off the white ocean floor, which is created by coral reefs turning to sand.

The ability to see clearly through the crystal clear water to more than 10 meters ahead is also a unique attraction of the Keramas Blue.

With its many precious experiences, Kerama Blue is a spot you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

 

Let's observe creatures in the sea of Kerama!

The calm waters of Kerama are home to a wide variety of marine life.

The Kerama Sea offers a wide variety of activities for observing living creatures, so you can enjoy observing them from various angles.

 

Marine life found in Kerama

The waters of Kerama are popular for colorful tropical fish, sea turtles living along the coast, and whale watching of humpback whales in winter.

Dolphins and manta rays may be encountered, and numerous rare creatures can be seen.

We will introduce such sea creatures living in Kerama.

 

sea turtle

The waters of Kerama are inhabited by sea turtles, and the area is famous for its many spots where you have a high chance of encountering them.

The spot is especially famous as a spawning ground for sea turtles, and depending on the time of year, there is a chance to see sea turtles laying eggs and hatchlings returning to the sea.

 

What kind of creature is a sea turtle?

There are eight species of sea turtles in the world, and the three main species seen in Okinawa are the green turtle, loggerhead turtle, and taimai.

It is said that they were born about 100 million years ago, and in order to survive in the sea, they changed their legs into the shape of boat oars and evolved a shell as small as possible in order to swim faster.

They prefer to feed on algae and often appear around rocky areas where algae are present.

It is said that it takes about 10 years for a sea turtle to reach adulthood, but there are still many things we do not know about these creatures, such as their lifespan.

And sea turtles like to travel the oceans, circling the globe in two and a half years and returning to their exact birthplace.

 

whale (Cetacea spp.)

The type of whale seen in the waters of Kerama is the humpback whale.

Humpback whales average about 14 to 15 meters in length and 35 to 50 tons in weight.

Unusually among whales, the females are larger than the males.

Humpback whales return to the waters of Kerama to raise their young from December to April, sometimes entertaining whale-watching participants with dynamic performances.

 

 What kind of creature is a whale?

Whales are mammals like humans.

It is said that in the distant past, creatures rose from the water to the land, evolved, and mammals were born, but some returned to the sea and repeated evolution to become whales.

Whales, like humans, breathe through their lungs, and one of their most famous behaviors is squirting, which is breathing for whales.

Whales are classified into two categories: baleen whales, which have whiskers in their mouths, and beaked whales, which have teeth.

Their diet consists of plankton and small fish, but to maintain their large size, they need 3-4% of their own body weight in food per day, and it is said that larger whales eat 6-8 tons of food per day, about 1 ton in a single mouthful.

 

 tropical fish

Tropical fish are a type of fish found in the tropics and subtropics, and many colorful fish are popular as ornamental fish.

There are more than 2,000 species of fish in the world, divided into two main categories: freshwater fish and saltwater fish.

Tropical fish living in Kerama are saltwater fish and can be found mostly around coral reefs.

 

Types of tropical fish found in Kerama

The most famous tropical fish found in Kerama is a species called the kuma-nomi, which is highly recognized because it has been the main character in a movie.

There are six species of bear clams found in Japan, and the Kerama Islands are the best place to see all of them.

In addition, the blue fish that appeared in the film swim in schools, and the transparent, shimmering scalloped coralfish can be seen when the sun reflects off their bodies.

You can also encounter many other tropical fish such as the Montski Frogfish, Sparrowhawk, and Inase Gampo.

Diving in the ocean and seeing dozens of different kinds of tropical fish is a unique attraction of Kerama.

 

dolphin (or other small toothed whales, such as porpoises and belugas)

Commonly seen in aquariums, dolphins are adorable and friendly, and are also known to be intelligent animals.

In Kerama, wild dolphins can be seen swimming in large groups in the ocean.

 

 What kind of creature is a dolphin?

Dolphins are mammals like humans and are lung breathers.

They swim at a maximum speed of about 30 km/h and swim in schools in the ocean.

Most are carnivores, preying on fish and obtaining water from fish and other sources of food.

Their personalities are curious and friendly, and they often show themselves to humans by swimming alongside boats.

Dolphins are also known for their unusual sleeping habits.

The right and left brains are rested on one side of the body, half asleep and half awake, and aware of their surroundings.

 

manta ray

Mantas are marine creatures that can be seen in Japan, mainly in Okinawa Prefecture.

The manta rays seen in Kerama are also commonly known as "Keramanta.

There are spots in Kerama where manta rays can be encountered, and many divers dive the waters of Kerama in search of manta rays.

 

 What kind of creature is a manta ray?

Mantas are members of the ray family.

They are called giant stingrays, and the largest manta rays can reach 9 meters in length.

While rays are often found on the ocean floor, manta rays swim around on the surface and in the middle of the ocean, feeding on plankton.

The manta ray is a rare creature whose face is on its abdomen and whose pattern is its face.

Also, although manta rays are large, they are laid-back and calm.

They are curious and friendly, but sometimes run away when divers approach.

 

whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus, species of Indo-Pacific requiem shark)

The whitetip reef shark may not be familiar to many, but it is a species of shark.

They are less aggressive and, unlike other sharks, are rarely attacked.

They are the most frequently encountered sharks and are often seen in Okinawa.

 

What kind of creature is a whitetip reef shark?

The whitetip reef shark is a member of the white shark family with a maximum length of about 1.6 meters.

Found on coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, they are benthic and found mainly at depths of 8 to 40 meters, often in schools.

They can breathe without swimming, rest in their caves during the day, and feed on fish, crustaceans, and octopus in groups at night.

They are creatures that live in very small areas, rarely wander long distances, and never travel more than 3 km in a year.

The lifespan of a nemertean is estimated to be about 25 years.

 

Activities to observe marine life

We will introduce marine activities that allow you to observe the creatures that inhabit the Kerama Blue, which offers clear visibility when you dive into the ocean.

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling is an activity suitable for small children and beginners to observe the underwater world.

If you have the right equipment, you can easily do this activity on your own, but if you join a tour, you can rent the necessary equipment and have a guide who knows Kerama well guide you to points that you cannot normally visit.

It is a classic activity along with diving to enjoy the marine world.

 

Fun & Attraction

Snorkeling equipment is limited to goggles, fins, and a life jacket.

In Kerama, you can observe colorful tropical fish and coral reefs even in shallow waters, and if you go to an uninhabited island, you can see rare creatures.

This activity can be enjoyed in shallow water, so anyone can easily experience it.

diving

Divers wear special equipment and dive deep to observe tropical fish and coral reefs up close.

Since oxygen is drawn into the body through the air tank, it is possible to stay in the sea for long periods of time.

Many tour companies offer experience diving for beginners, so even inexperienced divers can safely try it.

For those who want to dive more seriously, a license is required to dive deeper and enjoy the marine world.

 

Fun & Attraction

Diving is a great way to dive deep and encounter many sea creatures.

You may encounter tropical fish, sea turtles, and manta rays that live only in Kerama.

There are plans that allow you to feed the fish, take pictures of what they are doing underwater with your camera, and more.

Diving is a very popular activity worldwide.

 

glass boat

The glass boat has a glass window at the bottom of the boat, which allows visitors to closely observe the ocean from the top of the boat.

Since they do not go into the ocean, even small children can enjoy this event with the whole family.

 

Fun & Attraction

The glass boat is a popular activity for families with small children and those who want to spend a relaxing time in the sea, as it allows them to travel by boat to points where they cannot go by themselves and observe the underwater world from the boat.

Furthermore, the guides, who know the ocean inside out, will teach you about marine life, which is also part of the fun.

 

Recommended Tours

Here are three recommended tours where you can enjoy observing the creatures that live in Kerama.

 

summary

I have told you about the fascinating sea creatures you can encounter in Kerama.

Encounters with the rare creatures of world-famous Kerama make the trip even more colorful.

Please visit Kerama and enjoy a memorable and precious experience.