海鳥アドベンチャークルーズ
Observe the miraculous “seabird paradise” from the perspective of birds floating on the sea.
Cruise
The Keimafuri II moves among the birds below the cliff.
As the boat approaches the base of the towering cliffs, with their bold and overwhelming presence, Spectacled Guillemots dart across the water's surface, Rhinoceros Auklets swirl in large flocks, and Common Guillemots begin to float on the waves. Occasionally, flocks of Ancient Murrelets float by too.
With a photographer's unique sensibility, the Keimafuri II positions itself to capture birds at their most beautiful, seeking the perfect light while ensuring the birds feel no stress. Terasawa, who understands seabirds better than anyone, adjusts the distance to dramatically showcase their vivid expressions and vibrant, life-filled actions. This 90-minute journey offers a truly special seabird experience. The Keimafuri II will provide you with an extraordinary seabird encounter unlike any you've experienced before.
The species listed do not guarantee sightings. Please understand that the species appearing may vary depending on the season and weather conditions.
To the reservation site
The birdsong, the brilliance, the vitality. This sense of presence and immersion is an adventure!
Seabirds seen from the Keimafuri II
ケイマフリ Spectacled Guillemot
Teuri Island is the world's best place to observe this bird. This seabird is highly active, with striking red legs and white around its eyes. Nearly 1,000 birds arrive between April and August, with over 200 pairs breeding. They lay two eggs in crevices among the cliff rocks.
ウトウ Rhinoceros Auklet
In February, when snow still lingers, they fly to their breeding grounds. They breed by laying a single egg in a burrow in the ground. After hatching, they may carry up to 50 small fish in their beaks to feed their chicks. Teuri Island is the world's largest breeding ground, attracting one million Rhinoceros Auklets.
ウミガラス
Common Guillemot
Over 100 birds fly to and breed within the hollows of The Red Rock. Their numbers dropped to 13 in 2002 but recovered to 104 by 2022.
ヒメウ
Pelagic Cormorant
They build nests on small ledges of vertical cliffs. Breeding sites are moved irregularly. Over 100 pairs breed.
オオセグロカモメ
Slaty-backed Gull
They gather dead grass on cliffs and rocky shores to build nests, usually laying three eggs. They prey on the eggs and chicks of other seabirds.
ウミスズメ
Ancient Murrelet
They breed on Teuri Island, but their numbers are unknown. On the night of the third day after hatching, the parents take the chicks to the sea.
Invitation to the Seabird Adventure Cruise
From the Captain
The Spectacled Guillemot shines brightest on Teuri Island!
Teuri Island is a ‘Little Earth’ where people and seabirds coexist.
Spectacled Guillemots eventually reached a population of nearly 1,000 birds, and Rhinoceros Auklets breed in numbers of about 400,000 pairs (the world's largest colony). No other seabird breeding site of comparable scale exists. Teuri Island is home to the Black-tailed Gull, considered endemic to Japan, as well as the Japanese Cormorant, Acient Murreret, Pelagick Cormorant, and Slaty-backed Gull. Common Gillemot, once reduced to just 13 birds and on the brink of extinction, has recovered to over 100 birds on this island.
Numerous seabird breeding grounds exist on the uninhabited islands of the Kuril Islands chain and the northern islands of the Sea of Okhotsk. However, no other breeding site is known to have a species composition like Teuri Island's and a scale of one million birds, making it a globally unparalleled island. That this wild environment remains intact in our country is nothing short of a tremendous miracle.
Teuri Island is an island where people and seabirds coexist: inhabited primarily by those engaged in fishing, it is home to approximately one million breeding seabirds. To protect this symbiosis on this “small Earth,” I want many people to experience the vibrant world of seabirds on Tenma Island and deepen their appreciation for a planet where diverse life coexists. That is why I pilot the Keimafuri II, dedicating my full effort to ensure you witness the seabirds' most radiant moments.
Captain 自然写真家 寺沢 孝毅
Reservation procedures, operating period, fees, etc.
User Guide
First, fill out the necessary details on the reservation site!
Operates from late April to late July
The boat is operated by Nature Live Co., Ltd. Reservations can be made via the reservation website. Please note that reservations for accommodations on the island must be completed before booking the boat.
The reservation site requires input of your desired reservation date, nationality, full name, gender, date of birth, and passport number. This information is legally required for creating the passenger manifest and must be provided for all bookers. For safety reasons, infants are not permitted on board.
If the 6:00 AM departure exceeds its capacity (11 passengers), the 7:30 AM departure will operate as a rule.
Once you complete the submission of your information on the reservation site, the staff member who receives it will contact you via email. After confirming your reservation details and you make payment, your reservation will be finalized. Should the cruise be canceled, your payment will be refunded.
On the day of departure, the operating company will send information via WhatsApp to the reservation holder at least 30 minutes before departure regarding whether the trip will operate and the departure port (Teuri Port or Maehama Fishing Port).
Please ensure you can receive WhatsApp messages on your mobile phone.
On board, passengers must strictly follow the captain's instructions and decisions. The route may change daily based on sea conditions and the captain's judgment. After departure, the vessel may return to port early due to weather changes or other reasons. Please note that no refunds will be issued in such cases.
Cancellation fees :
<14 , >8 days before the cruise : 50% of total amount non refundable
<7 days before the cruise : 100% of total amount non refundable
Cancellation fees will be waived if you are unable to arrive on the island due to scheduled ferry cancellations.
Cancellation fees will be waived if typhoons or similar weather approaches are forecast to reach warning levels, and our company determines that the possibility of operating is extremely low.
Early Morning Cruise : Spectacled Guillemots in full swing
6:00 AM Departure (90 minutes, additional departures available)
Observe the Spectacled Guillemots actively courting and soaring above the water and rocks just below the cliffs along the west coast of Teuri Island. Witness the Rhinoceros Auklets departing the island for the sea at dawn. Near the Red Rocks at the southern tip of the island, observe the Common Guillemots drifting on the sea. You may also encounter the Ancient Murrelets along the way (mainly in June). This cruise offers the unique bustle of the early morning.
Sunset Cruise : The miraculous sunset view created by Rhinoseros Auklets
Departure at 6:30 PM (70 minutes, departure times may vary by season)
As you set sail, you'll likely see Rhinoceros Auklets flying offshore, heading for the island. Set your course toward the cliffs and watch for seabirds as you navigate. As sunset approaches, Rhinoceros Auklets gather in the waters below the cliffs, and some begin diving to catch fish to bring back to their chicks... Black-tailed Gulls start swirling around, drawn to those fish. If the sun sets then, it will be a miraculous, breathtaking view.
Foreigners not residing in Japan
Adult： ¥15,000 (Tax included)
Child： ¥10,000 (Tax included)
※ We provide transpotation for guests upon request. Accomodation ↔︎ Port (Transportation fees apply within the actual cost range)
※ If the cruise is operated with only one passenger, we will charge for two passengers.
How to be accepted by seabirds
On the boat
The boat we ride may appear to seabirds as a single large creature—or perhaps even a foreign object. What must we be mindful of to be accepted by the seabirds?
A seabird-friendly boat with a quiet engine
The only passenger ship on Teuri Island meeting national safety standards.
The Keimafuri II is a small boat measuring 7.37 meters in length, weighing 1.7 tons, and accommodating 11 passengers. It is equipped with a Yamaha 70-horsepower four-stroke outboard motor. This size and equipment were chosen to minimize stress on seabirds during observation. Before boarding, please confirm the following points :
１、The boat has no toilet.
２、There are no cabins, and nothing to protect against rain or wind, so take thorough precautions against the cold.
The operating company shall not be liable for the following :
１、Water damage to all belongings, including camera equipment and binoculars, caused by rain or wave spray.
２、Damage, malfunction, or loss of any personal belongings, including the aforementioned carry-on items.
For safe operation, passengers must comply with the following :
１、Before boarding, ensure your life jacket is properly fastened with no slack in the straps.
２、Follow the captain's instructions and decisions.
３、Do not stand up from your seat during the cruise.
In the event of unavoidable circumstances, consult with the captain.
Be careful not to make movements that might scare away seabirds.
It's common for seabirds to fly away because of someone's slight movement!
To make your cruise a special seabird experience, it's important that every passenger treats the birds with the same gentle care. Let's work as one team to ensure the birds accept us, keeping these points in mind!
１、Don't swing the telephoto lens around.
２、Avoid sudden movements.
３、Don't point your finger at birds.
４、Do not drop or roll objects you are holding, making noise.
５、Never stand up.
In the event of unavoidable circumstances, consult with the captain.
Tripods are not permitted; monopods are allowed.
Use handheld lenses for telephoto shots, and wide-angle or standard lenses for landscapes!
Even on the calmest sea, the boat rocks and feels cramped.
You should prepare by minimizing your gear as much as possible and reducing tasks like lens changes.
Don't neglect items that protect against water damage.
First, for photographing seabirds at large scale, telephoto lenses ranging from 300mm to 600mm are the most practical.
Shorter, lighter telephoto lenses are easier to handle and cause less stress to both the birds and fellow passengers.
In that regard, a zoom lens around 100-400mm (with a teleconverter attachment recommended) will prove useful and adaptable to various situations.
For cliff landscapes and birds, especially flocks gathering on water surfaces, a zoom lens around 20-70mm is invaluable. In addition to a telephoto lens, be sure to carry a wide-angle and standard lens as well.
May calls for full winter gear in Tokyo; a windproof and waterproof jacket is essential.
Even in June, be careful as rain and wind can make it feel cold!
Early mornings and evenings in May often see temperatures drop below 10°C, requiring winter-level cold-weather gear comparable to Tokyo's dead of winter.
When the wind blows or rain falls, you'll feel even colder, so it's a good idea to layer fleece or down underneath. Be sure to prepare proper cold-weather gear.
Temperatures will gradually rise after June, but some days may still be cold. Please come fully prepared. Note that we will operate even in light rain if sea conditions are favorable, so please wear waterproof clothing.
For footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended.