| Dolphin Club MIYAKEJIMA |
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| Frequently asked questions |
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| Accommodation |
Q: Can we stay at the Dolphin Club?
A: The Dolphin Club does not operate lodgings. Please refer to the Miyakejima Tourist Association website and make your own arrangements.
Q: Can you help me make accommodation reservations?
A: Due to Japan's Travel Agency Act, we cannot make arrangements for you, but we can help you find accommodation.
We will contact you when we find accommodation with vacancies, so please contact the accommodation yourself too. Accommodation fees must be paid directly at the accommodation facility.
Q: In which area of Miyakejima should I look for accommodation?
A: The Dolphin Club is in the Ako district, and the dolphin swimming boat
departure port is in the Tsubota district. However, we can provide transportation
for activities anywhere on Miyakejima.
Q: Is it possible to participate in dolphin swimming or diving on a day
trip to Miyakejima?
A: Generally, we do not accept day trips.
If you wish to join for unavoidable reasons, please wait for us to pick you up at one of the following locations.
1. Sabigahama Passenger Waiting Room (If the arrival port is Igaya or Miike, you will not be able to stay at the passenger waiting room. Please take a bus or taxi to the Sabigahama Passenger Waiting Room.) The nearest bus stop is at the Sabigahama entrance.
2. Take a break at Hotel Kairaku (Reservation required. Pick-up at the arrival port. It is also possible to have breakfast at the hotel.)
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| Transportation to and from Miyakejima |
Q: Does the price include round-trip transportation costs between Tokyo
and Miyakejima?
A: Not included. Please make separate arrangements. Tokai Kisen New Central Air
Q: Can I participate in the dolphin swim in the morning and then return on the Tokai Kisen ferry?
A: After participating, you will be able to board the Tokai Kisen ship
departing from Miyake. Please note that check-out at most accommodations
is by 10am. Please make sure you check out before participating.
Q: I am planning to travel to Miyakejima by plane. Can I still participate
in activities?
A: If you are participating in a morning dolphin swim, book your outbound flight the day before or earlier, and book your return flight after the last flight of the day. If you are participating in an afternoon dolphin swim, book your outbound flight the morning of the day or earlier, and book your return flight the next day or later. If you are participating in a dive session, please avoid boarding within 12 hours of finishing a single dive, or 24 hours for two or more dives.
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| Pick-up and drop-off |
Q: Regarding pick-up upon arrival at Miyakejima
A: It depends on the inn, so please check when you make your reservation. (You can also reserve breakfast at the inn when you arrive by Tokai Kisen ferry, so please check this as well.)
Q: What about transportation for activities?
A: Our company will pick you up from your accommodation. For the morning
dolphin swim, pick-up will be around 7:00 (approximately 20 minutes before
or after), and return to the accommodation will be between 11:00 and 11:30.
For the afternoon dolphin swim, pick-up will be between 12:00 and 12:30,
and return is scheduled for between 17:00 and 17:30. The exact times will
be announced the day before.
Q: I want to drive a rental car.
A: We will discuss the meeting place and time with you, so please let us
know.
Q: Regarding pick-up and drop-off at Mikurajima, landing on Mikurajima,
and waiting at sea
A: We do not provide transportation or landing on islands other than Miyakejima.
Also, even if you participate in both the morning and afternoon tours,
you will return to Miyakejima once.
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| Cancellations |
Q: Is there a cancellation fee in case of bad weather?:
A: If it is certain or suspected that the trip will not be possible, we
will contact you and discuss the matter.（Please see here for the rules regarding the cancellation of the dolphin swim.）
If you cancel after consultation, no fee will be charged. However, Tokai
Kisen and the accommodation have separate regulations, so please check
them. However, if you cancel for personal reasons (including infection)
or for your own predictions (you feel that Tokai Kisen will cancel the
trip, you think the sea will be rough, etc.), we will charge 100% (from
21 days prior to the trip to the day of the trip).
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| Payment |
Q: When do I pay the fee?
A: Please do so after your booked activity has finished.
Q:What is the method of payment?
A: In addition to Japanese yen, Alipay+, VISA, Master, JCB, Diners Club, Discover and American Express cards are
accepted.
Q: Is a deposit required?
A: No, that is not necessary. If you would like to pay in advance because you would like to have multiple sessions and do not want to carry a lot of cash, please contact us and we can send you the address for prepayment.
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| What to bring |
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: If you have little experience aboard an ocean-going ship or are worried
about motion sickness, we recommend taking motion sickness medication.
Please read the attached instructions before taking the medication.
Example: SS Pharmaceuticals (Japan) Aneron precautions
1. Age 15 or older
2. Do not use any of the following medicines while taking this drug: Other
motion sickness medicines, cold medicines, antipyretics, analgesics, sedatives,
antitussives and expectorants, gastrointestinal analgesics and antispasmodics,
oral medications containing antihistamines (oral medications for rhinitis,
allergy medications, etc.)
3. The following people should consult a doctor, pharmacist, or registered distributor before taking this drug: (1) Anyone currently receiving medical treatment from a doctor. (2) Pregnant women or those suspected to be pregnant. (3) Elderly people. (4) Anyone who has previously experienced allergic symptoms from medicine, etc. (5) Anyone with the following symptoms: Difficulty urinating (6) Anyone diagnosed with the following: Glaucoma, heart disease
Q: Is there anything in particular that is best prepared?
A: Something to wear over your upper body (a T-shirt, fleece, windbreaker,
raincoat, etc. depending on the temperature and weather), drinks (water,
tea, etc.), and anything else you think you may need.
Q: Do I need a scuba diving license (card) to participate?
A: It is not required for dolphin swimming. If you are reserving a scuba diving session, please bring your card with you.
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| About Wetsuits |
Q: Can I participate in dolphin swimming in a swimsuit?
A: Due to local rules, you cannot participate in the program unless you
wear a wetsuit for safety reasons. (You cannot participate in the program
if you are wearing a rash guard without neoprene rubber, or a wetsuit with
only the upper or lower body. However, you can participate in the program
if you are wearing a spring suit, including a high-cut one.
Q: Can I take off my wetsuit while on the boat?
A: As instructed by the Japan Coast Guard, please keep the lower half of
your body covered in case you fall overboard from the boat.
Q: What is the water temperature?
A: Please refer to the Izu Islands Marine Observation Data Bank (First, click "View 30 days,30日間表示" then display the month you
want to search in "Last 30 days.前の30日間") and Marine Weather (the water temperature at Ako阿古 reflects the current conditions in Miyakejima).
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| Participation of younger children and beginners |
Q: Can children participate in the dolphin swim?
A: Participants must be 10 years of age or older. However, participation
conditions differ depending on the weather. 1. The weather and sea conditions
must allow everyone to participate safely. 2. The weather and sea conditions
must allow only adults to participate. In this case, there will be no cancellation
fee for the child and one accompanying person. 3. The weather and sea conditions
must allow only experienced participants who are resistant to seasickness
and can agree to proceed even in bad weather. In this case, there will
be no cancellation fee.
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| Practice for Dolphin Swimming |
Q: Do I need to attend practice?
A: It is not compulsory, but we recommend it for those who are participating
in dolphin swimming for the first time, those who have little experience,
and those who are not confident. In addition, if a person who participates
in the practice drops and loses rental equipment (mask, snorkel, fins)
in the sea, we will reduce the deposit by dividing the loss between the
training defect and the person's own negligence. Please see here for the
details of the practice.
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| Equipment used during dolphin swimming |
Q: Can I hold a camera while swimming with the dolphins?
A: Yes, you can. However, flash and strobe lights are not permitted.
Q: Can I use a GoPro while swimming with the dolphins?
A: Yes, you can. However, extension poles (telescopic rods) cannot be used.
Q: Do you have GoPro and underwater cameras available for rental?
A: We have one GoPro HERO7 White and one TG4 (underwater camera). Please
prepare an SD card (TG) and a micro SD card (GoPro).
Q: Can you film me and the dolphins underwater?
A: Staff will bring cameras, but depending on the weather and the skills
of the participants on the day, it may not be possible to film videos for
safety reasons.
Q: Can I use long fins? Are they available for rental?
A: You may use it, but we do not have it available for rental.
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| Written by Nobuhisa Ueda |
Dolphin Club Miyakejima
1813-1, Ako, Miyake-mura Miyakejima, Tokyo, 100-1212, Japan
TEL＆FAX 04994-8-5010
E-ｍａｉｌ dcmiyakeis@gmail.com |
| ⓒ 2018 Miyakejima Nature Service Co., Ltd. (M.N.S.) |
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