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Maptlantis

Sea turtle · Japan

Where to see sea turtles in Japan

Operators 29Season Mar–DecRegions 8Published prices 29Encounter formats 5
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About this list

A common trap when looking for places to see sea turtles in Japan is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the sea turtle as a target species, 29 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Ishigaki & Yaeyama, Amami & Kagoshima, Kerama & Zamami, Kumejima, Miyakojima and Okinawa Main Island. Encounters are split into snorkeling, scuba diving, boat-based watching, freediving and swimming. Two "sea turtle tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. All 29 operators on this list publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare them directly. Estimated prices are not shown. The 10 operators that state a season for sea turtle programs in Japan cluster in Mar–Dec. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.

Sea turtle season in Japan

Mar–Dec

  1. JanJanuary: not in season
  2. FebFebruary: not in season
  3. MarMarch: in season
  4. AprApril: in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season
  7. JulJuly: in season, singled out
  8. AugAugust: in season, singled out
  9. SepSeptember: in season, singled out
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season

The months 10 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the sea turtle season table.

29 listed operators

Sea turtles in Japan, by region

Sea turtles in Japan, by way to meet them

Sea turtle season

Sea turtles in other countries

Other marine life in Japan

Activities in Japan

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see sea turtles in Japan?

29 operators name the sea turtle as a target species. Main regions: Ishigaki & Yaeyama, Amami & Kagoshima, Kerama & Zamami, Kumejima, Miyakojima and Okinawa Main Island.

Do you have to get in the water to see sea turtles?

Formats on record: snorkeling, scuba diving, boat-based watching, freediving and swimming. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.

When is sea turtle season?

The 10 operators that state a season for sea turtle programs in Japan cluster in Mar–Dec. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.

Will I definitely see them?

No. Sea turtles are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.