Watch dolphins leap and spin from the water or go eye-to-eye with turtles and manatees at this scenic park on the edge of the East China Sea.
Feed the performing dolphins or look on as expert trainers interact with them just a few feet away at the free Okichan Theatre. Explore the area and view loggerhead turtles, giant manatees and more.
The Okichan Theatre lies within the superb Ocean Expo Park. Its dolphin shows and viewing tanks are some of the park’s most popular attractions. Once you arrive at the Expo Park, board one of the shuttle buses and head northwest to reach stop number three.
Go straight to the main pool where shows take place every couple hours and last for about 20 minutes. You will be amazed by the skills and tricks the dolphins perform, leaping through hoops and playing with balls. Be aware that you are likely to get splashed if you sit in the front rows near the pool.
After the show, check out the natural behaviour of the dolphins from the pool’s underwater windows. You can often watch divers swimming with them. You may be lucky enough to have the opportunity to feed the dolphins from the raised platform.
Get back on the shuttle bus and continue on to stop number four of the park where you will find the turtle and manatee pools. Admire loggerhead, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, green and black sea turtles. The manatees can be up to 15 feet (4.5 metres) long and are thought to have inspired legends of mermaids. Enjoy the action from the underwater observation rooms. Don’t miss the artificial beach where the turtles lay their eggs.
Okichan Theatre is about a 1.5-hour drive north from the city of Naha. See the rest of Ocean Expo Park while you’re here. The park and theatre are free and are open daily throughout the year.
