Kerama Islands Full-Day Snorkelling Tour from Naha Okinawa

Naha harbour and the crossing to the Keramas

The day starts in Naha, Okinawa's capital and main port, where our partner crew collects you from your chosen pickup point in Naha City up to 90 minutes before the boat leaves at 08:00. Guests staying outside Naha meet at a set point. On board you stow your bag, try on your wetsuit and listen to the safety briefing while the boat heads west across the open East China Sea.

The crossing to the Kerama Islands takes about an hour, and on clear mornings you see the low green islands rise from the horizon long before you arrive. If you are prone to seasickness, ask the crew for motion sickness medicine before departure; it is included on request. This Kerama Islands day trip from Naha is the easiest way to reach the reefs without arranging ferries and rental gear yourself.

Kerama Islands National Park

The Kerama Islands are a scattered group of small islands west of Okinawa Island, a few inhabited, such as Tokashiki, Zamami and Aka, and many uninhabited islets ringed by reefs. In 2014 they became a national park, protecting both the islands and the surrounding sea, which includes some of the most diverse coral communities in Japan. The water here is so clear that the local shade of turquoise is known simply as 'Kerama blue'.

Is the Kerama Islands trip worth it? For snorkellers it is the highlight of Okinawa, because the islands sit away from the main island's run-off and the visibility often reaches 30 metres or more. The boat moves between sheltered bays and channels, so even on breezy days the crew can usually find calm water on one side of the islands.

The coral reef snorkel spots

You snorkel at two or three spots during the day, each chosen by the captain according to wind, current and tide. Typical sites are shallow coral gardens a few metres deep, where branching and table corals grow close to the surface, and sandy slopes at the edge of the reef that drop into deeper blue water. Between spots you warm up on deck, drink water and swap stories with the group.

An instructor stays with you in the water, adjusting masks, pointing out marine life and keeping an eye on less confident swimmers. The wetsuit adds buoyancy and warmth, so even first-time snorkellers float comfortably. Each session usually lasts 30 to 50 minutes, and the crew takes digital photos of the day, which you receive afterwards.

Sea turtles, fish and marine life

The seagrass beds and reefs of the Keramas are feeding grounds for green sea turtles, and meeting one gliding past is a real possibility, though wild animals are never guaranteed. Among the corals you can expect clownfish sheltering in anemones, butterflyfish, parrotfish, blue damselfish and shoals of fusiliers flashing above the reef, along with giant clams and colourful sea cucumbers on the sand.

Please look but do not touch: corals are living animals and the national park rules protect them. Keep a respectful distance from turtles and never chase them, so that they stay relaxed and continue feeding. Reef-safe sunscreen, or a rash guard under your wetsuit, helps protect both you and the coral.

Best time for snorkelling in the Kerama Islands

The best time to visit the Kerama Islands for snorkelling is from April to October, when the water is between about 24 and 29 degrees and the sun lights up the reefs. The rainy season in late May and June brings showers but fewer visitors, while July and August are the hottest, busiest months. From January to March humpback whales gather in Kerama waters to breed, and the provided wetsuit and boat coat keep winter snorkelling comfortable.

Typhoons can pass Okinawa from July to October, and trips may be cancelled when the sea is unsafe; in that case we help you rebook or refund. The tour returns to Naha in the afternoon, after about seven hours in total, leaving the evening free for Kokusai-dori and the city.