Diving and Snorkelling in Okinawa
Part of the Okinawa travel guide — see every topic in All Okinawa Guides.
Okinawa's coral reefs have visibility of 20–40 m and water from about 21°C in winter to 29°C in summer. Beginners can join snorkel tours from Naha or Onna, and certified divers can dive all year.
The Blue Cave
The Blue Cave at Cape Maeda, in Onna, glows blue inside when sunlight shines through the water. Snorkel tours cost about ¥4,000–7,000 and dive trips about ¥10,000–15,000, with gear. Go early in the morning: by midday the cave is crowded, and tours stop when the waves are high.
Kerama Islands
The Kerama Islands became a national park in 2014 and are famous for their 'Kerama blue' water. Sea turtles often feed in the shallows off Zamami and Tokashiki, so you can see them from the beach with a mask. Boat dives from Naha to the Keramas cost about ¥15,000–20,000 for two dives.
Miyako and Ishigaki
Further south, Miyako has very clear water and underwater caves, and Ishigaki is known for manta rays, best from about June to October. Both islands are about 1 hour by plane from Naha.
Water and rules
Wear a 3 mm wetsuit or rash guard in summer and a 5 mm suit from December to April. Never touch or stand on coral, and keep your distance from turtles. Coral has suffered in hot summers, so use reef-safe sunscreen. Do not fly within 24 hours after diving.
Diving and Snorkelling at a glance
| Visibility | About 20–40 m |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | About 21°C (February) to 29°C (August) |
| Blue Cave snorkel | About ¥4,000–7,000 |
| Two boat dives | About ¥15,000–20,000 |
| Turtles | Shallows off Zamami and Tokashiki |
| Manta rays | Ishigaki, about June–October |