Marine Life I've Encountered in Kerama & Shakotan | Whales, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Tuna, Sea Lions, Sea Turtles
Talking gear and technique alone doesn't fully capture what makes diving special. In the end, what you get to encounter underwater is the real appeal. This article shares the creatures I've actually met in Okinawa's Kerama Islands and Hokkaido's Shakotan, along with what it felt like in the moment.
In short, Kerama gave me special encounters with a whale, a whitetip reef shark, and tuna, Shakotan gave me Steller sea lions, and swimming alongside the ever-reliable sea turtle was, in both areas, the most comfortable experience of all.
What Did I Encounter in the Kerama Islands?
A Whale, Seen Before Even Getting in the Water
What still sticks with me most is a whale I saw from the boat heading to the dive point. In the middle of an unremarkable stretch of travel time before I'd even put my gear on, seeing a whale swim past near the surface gave me goosebumps. The Kerama Islands are known for being close to a whale migration route, mainly in winter, and with good conditions and timing, you can sometimes spot one from the boat, separate from the dive itself. Feeling that much excitement before I'd even gotten in the water was an experience unique to Kerama.
A Whitetip Reef Shark, Resting in the Shade of a Rock
Encountering a whitetip reef shark stood out in the waters of Kerama. True to its name, it tends to rest motionless in rock shade or on sand during the day, and doesn't have a nature of attacking people — there's no danger as long as a diver observes from a bit of a distance. Finding one sitting still under a rock for the first time was surprising given how braced I was hearing the word "shark," and the gap with its calm demeanor caught me off guard.
Tuna Passing By in a School
At a point with current, I also encountered a school of tuna. Watching a substantial number of tuna sweep past all at once nearby was a completely different experience from seeing it in a photo or video. The size of the school and the speed they swam at had me involuntarily tracking them with my eyes.
What Did I Encounter in Shakotan?
The Day I Went to Meet Sea Lions in January
In Shakotan, Hokkaido, I went on a dive specifically to meet Steller sea lions in early January. There are winter tours where you can swim alongside sea lions migrating down from the north, and it was a special experience in cold, clear water, with both the gear and the atmosphere completely different from warm Okinawa. A sea lion moving gracefully yet powerfully underwater gives a completely different impression from what you'd picture on land.
Still the Best Feeling: The Ever-Reliable Sea Turtle
Extraordinary encounters like whales and sea lions leave a strong impression, but looking back, what actually felt "the best to dive alongside" was swimming with a sea turtle. Swimming beside a sea turtle moving unhurriedly at its own pace has a strangely calming effect, and it's a moment where I honestly feel glad I got into diving. There's nothing flashy about it, but I feel this kind of ever-reliable encounter is one of the reasons diving keeps pulling me back.
Summary
Special encounters like whales, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, and sea lions, and the calm time spent swimming with a sea turtle — both are experiences only diving can give you. Even in the same sea, the creatures you'll encounter differ completely depending on the area and season. For anyone about to start diving, I hope you'll add this kind of wildlife encounter to your list of things to look forward to, and visit a variety of fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are whitetip reef sharks dangerous?
A. Whitetip reef sharks tend to rest motionless in rock shade or on sand during the day, and don't have a nature of aggressively attacking people. That said, they're wild animals, so observe from a distance rather than touching or getting too close.
Q. When can you swim with sea lions in Shakotan?
A. There are winter tours where you can swim alongside Steller sea lions migrating down from the north. I went in early January myself. Timing varies by tour and shop, so check beforehand.
Q. Is it possible to see whales in Kerama?
A. The Kerama Islands are known for being close to a whale migration route, mainly in winter, and with good conditions and timing, you can sometimes spot one from the boat, separate from the dive itself.
Q. What should I be careful of when encountering wildlife?
A. Large marine animals like whales and sea lions are wild animals. Don't chase or touch them — observe from a distance and respect their own pace as good manners.
Q. Can I see sea turtles somewhere other than Kerama?
A. Sea turtles show up at many diving points across Okinawa, but the Kerama Islands are particularly known as a high-encounter-rate area.