BIGHOLIDAY's 2019 season has started today!
Several of our staff members have gained a lot of fat from their lazy lifestyles. I'm no exception, having gained 5kg. I'm Totti, the chubby owner. My body feels heavy and it's tiring to stand. Underwater is the best!!!
However, we weren't just lazing around, we played hard too. Our goal was to see the largest mammal, the whale!!
To begin with, I am an avid marine mammal lover, and on the day that dolphins appear, I want to cancel my diving trip and spend the whole day watching them (although I don't actually do that).
Speaking of whales, the southernmost limit for whales that migrate south to Japan to give birth and raise their young is the main island of Okinawa. In Miyakojima, you might see one zero to one a year. If you can see one twice, you're extremely lucky, so rather than just liking them, I "admire" them.
In recent years, it seems there has been an opportunity to get closer to that dream on certain islands in Japan. Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!
Shocking footage of swimming with whales
Read the 2020 review here
[Whale Swim Review Tokunoshima Edition] Miyakojima Diving Shop Owner Takes on the Challenge "Seriously"
There's an island where you can swim with whales! The Amami Islands have been a huge hit in recent years
Originally, whale watching from a boat is popular and famous on Okinawa's main island and the Kerama Islands. However, there is an agreement that prohibits people from entering the sea and swimming with the whales. There seems to be a rule like that (in recent years, there are apparently shops that offer swimming, but the details are unknown. Please check).
Before I knew it, the stereotype that whales should only be seen from a boat had taken root.
Meanwhile, Amami Oshima, Okinoerabujima, and Tokunoshima, which are not part of Okinawa Prefecture, are in Kagoshima Prefecture.Amami Whale and Dolphin Association" was established, and as long as you follow the established rules, there will be no harm if you swim with the whales! This has proven to be a success, and now they are holding whale swims.
It was only four years ago that the agreement was made, they established a track record, obtained permission, and started whale swimming, so it's quite recent.
I'm sure it will get more and more attention in the future! So, what I aimed for this time was...
Tokunoshima!
Diving shops that offer whale watching and swimming in Tokunoshima includeMarine Service UmimuIt's a dream to have just a whale and a diving boat in the middle of the ocean.
This time we'll try it for four days.
Whale Swim-DAY.1
It's a cool boat! It's fast, it's easy to spot whales from the second floor, and it's easy to enter from anywhere, so it's truly a boat made for whales.
Then, in the morning of the first day, the trip was cancelled due to strong winds and rough seas. The waves outside the port were terrible, and in the first place, in the winter in Japan, if a cold wave comes and the sea becomes rough, both Miyakojima and Tokunoshima are cancelled.
We were lucky that we were able to get the boat out in the afternoon!
Unfortunately, we didn't see any whales until the very last moment. Before we set sail, Suzuki from the boss carefully explained to us that if the weather gets rough, the search area will be limited and the chances of finding one will be lower. He was right.
On the first day, it was late and the sea was extremely rough, so we decided not to go swimming.
However, this was my first time whale watching anywhere other than on my own boat, so everything was new to me, and I was super excited to be able to see them so close!
"You swim so close to the island!!!" I screamed in my mind, and then "I knew it was going to be a disaster, but it's damn huge!!!" I screamed in my mind.
The first day ended with us filled with anticipation for the next day.
Whale Swim-DAY.2
The weather improved on the second day, with clear skies and calm seas. Today is a perfect day for whale swimming.
We spotted a pair about 20 minutes after setting sail! An announcement was made saying, "Please get ready to swim," so we hurriedly got ready. Then, suddenly, I asked the experienced-looking woman next to me, who lives in Tokunoshima, "Are there any tips for getting close to whales?"
『Hmm, sense.』
That's the advice I received. I see. It's all about taste. The quality of the advice is so profound that I don't really understand it!!
Afterwards, she was criticized by her friends, but when I was leaving after completing the entire schedule, if someone from the first day had asked me to sum up the trick in one word, I would have answered, "Sense."
So on the second day, I had 5-6 chances to swim in the morning and afternoon combined! But I couldn't get close. It was so difficult. I really had no sense of style.
And then, just when you think you're finally close enough to make that dream come true, what happens to humans? The camera isn't turned on, the settings are wrong, or your snorkel breaks the moment you jump in. Embarrassing.
This photo doesn't do justice to its size and power, but it is simply awe-inspiring.
I was excited and had no sense of humor, but the image of my first time swimming with whales is still burned into my memory.
photograph:Marine Service Umimu
This is footage taken by a staff member using a drone on this day. It's amazing! The blow is even rainbow-like! It seems that drones and large whales are a good match.
If I fly it, even if it suddenly appears, I can quickly change direction and go straight there with a whoosh! If possible, I would like to be caught by a drone and dropped directly into the sea.
Whale Swim-DAY.3
The weather has changed again and it's now pretty rough, cloudy with occasional rain.
It was also difficult to find a whale. After about an hour, we managed to find one, but it was in a bad mood so we didn't enter the water. So the morning ended with just watching. It was quite a tough battle.
Although we spotted many whales in the afternoon, none of them seemed to be willing to let us swim with them.
At the longest, they come to the surface about once every 15 minutes to blow and take a few breaths. Then, 15 minutes later, they come again. If they swim straight and at a constant speed, we can bring the boat to the exact spot, but
The whales were behaving in ways contrary to our expectations. We spotted five pairs of whales, or 10 whales, in just the afternoon, but nature is quite harsh. We tried to swim with the difficult whales, but we only managed to catch a glimpse from afar.
We had traveled quite a distance and were just about to reach our destination when we heard the announcement that a whale had been spotted resting on the surface of the water! The moment had finally arrived.
A newborn baby whale (4m long) was floating on the surface of the water. The captain announced again, "Let's take good care of it and get it used to us little by little," and slowly closed the distance.
The mother whale (15m long) also came to the surface. Then the two of them dived down, and just five minutes later the baby whale came up alone. It was still so cute, even though it was still so bad at breathing.
After that, once it stabilized after another 5 minutes of diving, it was time to go!!!
Wow. That's huge.
I was actually able to look at this biggest opportunity quite calmly, and since I had made a lot of mistakes the day before and had prepared myself, and I was starting to develop a bit of a sense for it, I was able to think about various things right away.
The mother whale is guarding her baby whale.
It seemed like it was intentionally swimming towards me, but it didn't seem particularly wary. It swam by with a relaxed, easy movement.
In stark contrast to its mother, the baby whale is wiggling its body innocently and swimming like a dolphin. Seeing such a large body acting so innocently is all the more adorable.
We finished after two such dreamlike swims. I really wanted to swim with them longer, but as per the guidelines, observation time is kept short for parent-child groups.
photograph:Marine Service Umimu
This video was taken by a staff member who was swimming right next to me as I was taking photos. The video has a great sense of realism. No matter how many times I watch it, that scene comes back to me.
This concludes the day.
Whale Swim-DAY.4
The weather changed again and the sky was clear and calm again.
We found a pair 30 minutes after setting sail. We continued to find more but they were in a bad mood. Even though they were so close, they were swimming so fast that if you jump in, they were gone. Or we only caught a glimpse.
If they don't get used to it, you'll end up chasing them diagonally behind and won't be able to get in front. It's frustrating, but it's natural. In the end, I only did one morning swim and one afternoon swim that day, and only got a glimpse of both.
Thus, my first four-day whale swim in Tokunoshima came to an end.
My first whale swim experience
This time, I only participated for four days, so I can't introduce everything about whale swimming, and I've only experienced it in fragments and on the surface, but
I would be happy if you could write down what you felt and input honest, real information.
Equipment
A 5mm one-piece suit is sufficient for underwater equipment. You might think that the sea in winter is cold, but since it's a set that requires you to "enter immediately and exit if you lose sight of the diver," there's no time to feel cold, and mobility is key, so it's better to be light. I brought a hooded vest with me, but I didn't need to use it. I just wanted to be able to dive a little faster and a little further.
On the boat, you need to be fully equipped and a boat coat is essential. The more fleece or down you have, the better. On cold days, the temperature drops below 10°C. It's even colder than Okinawa at its coldest!
Fins that are long and have good propulsion are good! If you're using rubber fins, try barracuda or warp fins, or long fins for free diving or spearfishing. I tried using short mew fins, but I was outdone by the faster riders lol.
We recommend wearable cameras such as GoPro or TG Tracker. They're small, so they won't get in the way when you're swimming, and you don't have to worry about focusing. On the other hand, we don't recommend compact digital cameras. With a blue background, you'll have trouble focusing and end up with a blurred image! If you can get close, you'll be able to focus, but the whale will be out of frame, so a fisheye lens is a good choice!
It's okay if you can't dive
It's okay if you can't skin dive. Of course, being able to do it will greatly increase your chances and possibilities, but you can still see plenty from the surface. However, if you don't try your best to dash to the surface, you'll be left behind by the whales and the people on board.
There are hits and misses
They are not kept in a pen or fed. They are wild, wild, super wild whales. Of course, there are times when you cannot see them, and it is normal that you cannot swim with them.
I felt that this was a great opportunity for people who can enjoy nature, including these aspects, and pursue the best moments.
You can only have this experience abroad in places like Tonga or Sri Lanka, so it's amazing that it can be done here in Japan. It's wonderful that so many people came to Miyakojima, a little further south.
We are looking for participants for the Tokunoshima Whale Swim!
We are looking for participants in early February 2020!
That said, I'm only planning (hoping) to go back for about 7-10 days, but BIGHOLIDAY will not be organizing or leading the tour. You will need to arrange your own tickets, itinerary, and reservations at the dive shop.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have, so we look forward to seeing you in Miyakojima!
The moment when your dreams become reality.
This doesn't happen very often in life.
The sea is the best after all.
