Ogasawara

TOKYO’S REMOTE ISLANDS

Bottlenose dolphins in June

Thanks to active local actors, whales and dolphin watch/swim tours in Ogasawara are subject to detailed guidelines. Established since the late 1980s and recurrently adapted, they ensure tours operate responsibly to minimize stress on marine mammals.

Geologically isolated and never connected to a continent, the Ogasawara Islands have evolved unique ecosystems both on land and underwater. They were designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2011 due to their ecological significance. Their surrounding waters host vibrant coral reefs, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and many rare marine species, making the islands a key site for marine conservation and ecotourism.

Explore the program

June Session
小笠原

Ogasawara

Turtles conservation

The Ogasawara Islands host green turtles, hawksbill turtles, loggerhead and leatherback turtles, animals still in the IUCN Red list as endangered species. ELNA and ITOCHU NPOs actively monitor nesting sites and hatching.

Dolphins research

The OWA Dolphin Research Team was formed in June 2003 with the aim of studying the ecology of Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins. Individuals are identified based primarily on scars and characteristics photographed underwater, and a database is being compiled. To date, over 200 individuals have been identified. Insights on their behaviors is also gathered: their year-round habitat and migration patterns around the Ogasawara Islands, as well as their relationships between parent and child.

Endemic marine species

As of now, the yellowtail parrot fish -Scarus Obishime-, the spotted angelfish - Genicanthus Takeuchi -, a sand lace species - Ammodytoides Kimurai-, and a cardinal fish species - Pseudamia rubra - are considered species endemic to Ogasawara Islands. However, there are many areas that have not been sufficiently studied, and there still is a probability of the same species being found in other waters.

Cetacean watching rules

✴︎ Do not violate the normal behavior of animals
✴︎ Up to 4 boats allowed around one group of dolphins
✴︎ Up to 5 swims per boat per group of dolphins
✴︎ A drone shall not approach a group of cetaceans being watched nor a whale watching vessel actively watching whales.
Ogasawara Whale Watching Association
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Marine conservation program

6-17 June 2026

The program includes dolphin swims, dives and snorkeling activities. Data collection via roving survey and coral health assessment will be mainly conducted during our diving days. During the dolphin snorkelling tour, we will attempt to identify the individuals we encounter and record their visual characteristics for future tracking. The data collected will be supporting citizen science as well as local marine research. 

Program fees: €1800
  • High interest for marine conservation
  • Health check: apt for snorkeling and diving
  • Diving licence 
  • Diving insurance (DAN preferred)
  • Health insurance 
  • Good swimmer
  • Complete the online learning before arrival (provided after application approval)
  • 3 days of dolphins swim
  • 6 dives
  • 10 nights stay
  • English support for day by day needs
  • Data collection guiding through diving and snorkeling
  • Data collection for conservation knowledge material
  • Transport from Tokyo to Ogasawara island
  • Transportation during the stay
Apply
Data collection method

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Ferry back to Tokyo (~ €200)  
  • Meals during the stay
  • Snorkelling and diving gear