You can really see the drift ice up close. The view is stunning, and the whole sea is completely white. It feels like you’ve gone to Antarctica.
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Garinko-go Drift Ice Sightseeing Boat
A powerful cruise aboard a drift ice drill boat that crunches its way across the Sea of Okhotsk.
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An experiential sightseeing boat that moves forward while crushing drift ice with the Archimedean screws mounted on its bow. It powerfully breaks through the drift ice covering the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in winter, making it a popular one-of-a-kind experience you can only enjoy here. The color of the sea created by broken drift ice and seawater is beautiful, and the sight of shattered ice rising up along the side of the boat is also truly impressive.
During winter (mid-January to late March), it operates on a regular daily schedule, and you may be able to see white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles perched on the ice, and occasionally seals, up close. There is also the "Sunset Cruise," where you can watch the sun set over Mt. Oyama, and the early morning "Sunrise Cruise," available only on weekends and holidays in February. The peak drift ice viewing season is usually from early February to around early March.
The boat currently in service is the "Garinko-go III IMERU," and it features various design elements inside so passengers can observe the drift ice up close. In particular, from the bow on the third floor of the IMERU, you can watch the dramatic sight of the Garinko-go crushing its way through the drift ice.
Highlights
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An exhilarating cruise that moves forward while crushing drift ice with Archimedean screws.
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The sight of broken ice rising up along the side of the boat is incredibly impressive.
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If you're lucky, you may encounter wild eagles and seals.
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The peak drift ice viewing season is usually from early February to early March.
Photos
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Powering forward with two giant drills mounted on the bow
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Enjoy drift ice viewing from window-facing seats!
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From the front deck on the third floor, you can also watch the drills crush through the drift ice
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A
Wi-Fi is available inside the Ocean Exchange Hall (where the ticket counter is located) and on board, but the signal is quite weak.
Q
Can I board without a reservation?
A
Yes, but there may be no availability on the day, especially during the drift ice season.
Q
Are there restrooms?
A
Yes. There are restrooms on board as well, but there are only a few, so please use the ones in the ticket counter building beforehand.
Q
Is there a smoking area?
A
No.
Q
If I go, will I definitely be able to see drift ice?
A
Drift ice is a natural phenomenon. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to see it.
Q
When can I usually see drift ice? Also, when is the peak season?
A
The peak is from early February to early March, but this is only a general trend. It does not necessarily mean that drift ice can always be seen in mid-February.
Q
How many minutes before departure should I complete check-in?
A
30 minutes before departure. If you made a reservation by phone or on the day, you will need to fill out a boarding list, so please arrive early.
Reviews
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Some reviews are AI-translated.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 流氷観光船ガリンコ号
- Postal Code
- 094-0031
- Address
- 1 Kaiyo Koen, Monbetsu, Hokkaido
- Phone
- 050-1743-5858 (reservations only)
- Closed on
- Open daily during drift ice season (service may be canceled due to bad weather or insufficient passengers)
- Hours
- 8:45am–4:30pm (varies by season)
- Admission
- Please check the official website for pricing
- Access
- 10 minutes by car from Monbetsu Airport
- Credit Cards
- Accepted
- Official website
- Official website (Japanese)
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