Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Tour: Whale Sharks & Pineapple Park

Whale sharks in one of the world's largest tanks, then ride a pineapple cart through a botanical garden.

A full-day sightseeing tour from Naha covering four Okinawa landmarks: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (2.5 hours with admission included), Kouri Island with its 1,960-meter bridge and beach, Cape Manzamo with its steep cliffs and Elephant Rock, and Nago Pineapple Park where you ride a cart through the grounds. The tour departs at 8:15 AM and returns by 6:15 PM, includes a live Japanese-speaking guide, bottled water, and a complimentary Beniimo Tart at the gift shop. Lunch is on your own at the aquarium or elsewhere.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nago Pineapple Park1h · entry included
2. Ocean Expo Park2h 30m · entry included

Okinawa sightseeing and attractions

• Depart from Kenmin Hiroba at 8:15 AM
• Ride Pineapple Cart at Nago Pineapple Park
• Cross Kouri Bridge and stroll Kouri Beach
• View Warumi Strait from bus window
• Visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Ocean Expo Park
• Shop and receive Beniimo Tart gift at Okashigoten
• Visit Cape Manzamo and see Elephant Rock
• Return to T-Galleria Okinawa by DFS by 5:50 PM

The experience

The tour starts at 8:15 AM from Kenmin Hiroba (Prefectural Office) in central Naha and heads north. Your first stop is Nago Pineapple Park, where you board a cart to ride through the botanical gardens and into a dinosaur park area, then browse pineapple product tastings and shops before reaching a terrace café. From there the bus crosses the Kouri Great Bridge (a 1,960-meter span where the ocean stretches on both sides and you might spot sea turtles from your seat) to reach Kouri Island, known for its white sand beach and blue water. You have time to walk the beach or shop at the public market for subtropical fruits and vegetables.

The centerpiece is 2.5 hours at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, where the main draw is the massive tank holding whale sharks and manta rays. The aquarium also features a free dolphin show (about 10 minutes), a Native Okinawan Village recreating a Ryukyu Kingdom settlement, and pools where sea turtles and manatees live. Admission is included. The Tropical Dream Center with subtropical flowers and the Oceanic Culture Museum with a planetarium charge separately. Lunch is your choice among multiple restaurants inside Ocean Expo Park.

On the return, the bus passes the Warumi Strait bridge connecting Nakijin Village and Yagaji Island, then stops at Cape Manzamo, one of Okinawa's Eight Picturesque Sights. Named "the plain where ten thousand people can sit" by a Ryukyu king, it offers steep cliffs and the distinctive Elephant Rock formation. A 100 yen per-person fee (free for children under 6) applies to the promenade. Before heading back to Naha, you stop at Okashigoten gift shop, where you receive a complimentary Beniimo Tart. A purple yam sweet that is a pioneer of Okinawan confectionery. The tour returns to three drop-off points: T-Galleria Okinawa by DFS at 5:50 PM, Orion Hotel Naha at 6:00 PM, or Kenmin Hiroba at 6:15 PM.

What’s included

• Round-trip sightseeing bus fare from Naha.
• Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium admission and 2.5-hour visit.
• Nago Pineapple Park admission and pineapple cart ride.
• Cape Manzamo admission.
• bottled water on board.
• one complimentary Beniimo Tart gift.
• WiFi on the bus.
• multilingual automatic audio guide and earphone use.
• live Japanese-speaking tour conductor.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:15

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 35 · max 8 per booking

Live guideJapanese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, Cantonese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jumbo Tours Co., Ltd.

Is this one for you?This tour works best for a first visit to Okinawa or a full day when you arrive in Naha with limited time to explore on your own. The fixed itinerary and included admissions mean no separate bookings or navigation. The 10.5-hour length covers four major sites in one trip, though it moves between stops rather than lingering long at any single place.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long do I actually spend inside the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium?

The aquarium visit is 2.5 hours, which gives you time to see the whale sharks and manta rays in the main tank, watch the free dolphin show, and explore the Native Okinawan Village and sea turtle and manatee pools without rushing.

What is the Kouri Bridge like, and can I get out and walk around Kouri Island?

The Kouri Great Bridge is 1,960 meters long and offers views of the ocean on both sides. You stay on the bus while crossing but can spot sea turtles from your seat. Once on Kouri Island, you have time to walk Kouri Beach and browse the public market selling subtropical fruits and vegetables.

What does the pineapple park cart ride include?

At Nago Pineapple Park, you ride a cart through the botanical garden and into a dinosaur park area, then have access to tastings of various pineapple products and shopping at multiple stores, ending at a terrace café where you can order takeout.

Is lunch included, and where do I eat?

Lunch is on your own. The aquarium has multiple restaurants inside Ocean Expo Park where you can eat during your 2.5-hour stay, or you can bring your own food.

What is Cape Manzamo, and is there an extra charge to visit?

Cape Manzamo is one of Okinawa's Eight Picturesque Sights, known for steep cliffs and the Elephant Rock formation. Entry to the promenade costs 100 yen per person (free for children under 6), paid on-site. This fee is not included in the tour price.

What gift do I receive at the end of the tour?

At Okashigoten gift shop on the return journey, you receive one complimentary Beniimo Tart, a traditional Okinawan sweet made from locally grown purple yam. You can also watch how it is made and purchase more at the shop.