JAPAN TRAVEL: Dolphin-Watching in Itsuwa, Amakusa
Join a dolphin cruise in Amakusa if you want to see dolphins in their own natural habitat!
Dolphin-watching in Itsuwa
All-year-round, tourists can experience a one-of-a-kind adventure with the famed dolphins of Amakusa. In the city of Amakusa in Kumamoto, dolphin cruise is one of the most popular tourist activities to experience. This family-friendly activity lets you see wild dolphins enjoy swimming in the seas.
Dolphin Cruise in Amakusa is a fun experience you shouldn’t miss!
In this cruise, a local fisherman who knows the way to where the dolphins are will take you to different points where dolphins can be visibly seen.
”Irukawa Iruka!” Locals say that when you do this chant, dolphins will come near you!
Dolphins that live offshore are Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins, which are dark gray in color and are normally found around India, South China, and Northern Australia. Dolphin pod swim around the waters freely and tourists can see them even if it’s rainy or even during winter. However, since they are wild, they travel too far. In some occasions, it takes some time to find them.
More than 200 dolphins live in Amakusa seas. The best months to see them are January and February.
Aside from dolphin-watching, there are tours available that offer dolphin watching and fishing at the same time.
Dolphin Cruise Amakusa
Encounter these fun-loving sea creatures in Amakusa at the Dolphin Cruise! Make a reservation now.
How to get here:
If coming from Kumamoto City by car, a ride takes about 2 hours from the city proper to Hondo City Amakusa, to Dolphin Cruise.
If coming from Kumamoto Airport, transfer to Amakusa Airport and go to Dolphin Cruise by car in 20 minutes.
General Information:
Address: Hutae 4689-10, Itsuwa-machi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Dolphin Cruise Amakusa)
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact: +81-969-33-0881
Website: http://dolphincruise.jp/etop.html
Departure time in the morning: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Departure time in the afternoon: 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m.
Price:
Adult (older than junior high school students) ¥2,250
Children (elementary students) ¥1,350
Toddler (2 to 6 yrs old) ¥450
Infant (two years old and below) free
This first appeared in Philippine Primer magazine’s February 2019 issue.
