Various recommendations for the Kerama Islands! Thorough analysis of the various ways to enjoy the islands and the secrets of their popularity!
Table of Contents
What are the Kerama Islands like?
The Kerama Islands are located about 40 km from Naha City, Okinawa.
It consists of 36 islands, most of which are uninhabited, with only five islands (Tokashiki, Zamami, Aka, Keruma, and Maejima) inhabited.
Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island, and Aka Island are especially popular among tourists.
Attractions of Kerama
Among the remote islands that can be reached from Okinawa, the Kerama Islands are easy to reach on a day trip.
What kind of attractions are there in the Kerama Islands?
From here, we will introduce you to the many attractions of Kerama.
Kerama blue that fascinates the world
The main attraction of Kerama is the breathtakingly beautiful sea!
The waters of Kerama are among the most beautiful in the world.
Its beauty has even earned it the nickname "Kerama blue.
A sanctuary for marine activities
Activities enjoyed in the clean ocean will be the best memories.
The waters of Kerama offer a variety of diving and snorkeling experiences.
Even beginners can rent equipment if they join a tour, making it easy for them to enjoy themselves without any equipment.
Magnificent Nature
Activities are fun, but just looking at the natural scenery is soothing.
The spectacular view of the crystal clear ocean and magnificent greenery is a unique attraction of the remote islands.
Forget about all your usual worries and spend some time relaxing.
Attraction of Kerama Blue
As I mentioned, the ocean in Kerama is outstandingly beautiful.
The water is very clear, and underwater coral reefs and tropical fish can be seen beautifully.
Depending on the location, cute sea turtles may also appear.
This makes the waters of Keramas an excellent diving and snorkeling spot.
How to enjoy Kerama
The Kerama Islands have many attractions.
So, what are the best ways to enjoy the Kerama Islands?
Please take a look at our recommendations for how to enjoy your visit from here.
Enjoy marine activities!
Okinawa is famous for its marine activities that can be enjoyed in the beautiful ocean.
In addition to snorkeling and diving, a wide variety of activities are available, including SUP and canoeing.
Experience activities that interest you and create fun memories.
The spectacular view is a memory that will last a lifetime.
There are some places in the Kerama Islands where observatories have been erected.
The ocean becomes bluer the further out to sea, and the gradation is very beautiful.
In the evening, you will also be able to watch the sunset in the clear air.
You can take pictures of this spectacular view, or you can dare to capture the scenery in your eyes without a smartphone, which is a wonderful experience.
Let's relax as much as we can!
Relaxing on the beach surrounded by nature or taking a walk along the coast is also recommended.
You can leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and feel refreshed by the natural air.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots
So far, I have told you about the charms of Kerama.
Kerama is dotted with spots where you can enjoy such attractions.
Here are some recommended spots in Kerama.
We have carefully selected five of the most attractive spots, so if you are traveling to Okinawa, be sure to check them out.
Kozamami Beach
First is Furuzamami Beach on Zamami Island.
It is known as the main beach of Zamami Island.
Recommendations
Kozamami Beach is an excellent snorkeling spot!
Coral reefs can be seen even in shallow water a few meters from the beach.
Further offshore, you can swim with tropical fish such as bears and snappers.
The facilities are also excellent, and visitors can enjoy SUP and banana boats.
You can also have a meal at a nearby beach house, so you can spend the whole day enjoying Kozamami Beach.
Directions from Naha Airport and Zamami Port
Here is how to get to Kozamami Beach.
First, from Naha Airport, take the Yui Rail, a local bus, or a cab to Tomari Port (Tomarin).
Take a boat from Tomari Port to Zamami Island.
From Zamami Port, it is about a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride to Kozamami Beach.
Ama Beach
Another beach on Zamami Island is Ama Beach.
It is a hole-in-the-wall beach where you can have the rare experience of meeting sea turtles.
Recommendations
There are fewer people than at Kozamami Beach, but this makes for a more relaxing experience.
The attraction of Auma Beach is that the chances of seeing sea turtles are very high.
Auma Beach is relatively uncrowded and shallow, and sea turtles that come to feed on seaweed can be seen there.
If you want to see sea turtles with the highest possible probability, by all means go to Ama Beach.
Incidentally, if you want to increase the probability, high tide in the morning is recommended.
Directions from Naha Airport and Zamami Port
Directions from Naha Airport to Zamami Port are the same as those for Furuzamami Beach.
It takes about 15 minutes on foot from Zamami Port to Ama Beach.
There is also a village bus that will take you there in about 3 minutes.
Aka Bridge
Next up is the Aka Ohashi Bridge, which connects Aka Island and Keiruma Island.
It is not just a bridge, but a popular spot with spectacular views.
Recommendations
From the bridge, you can see the islands of Kerama and the Kerama Blue below.
The sea is so clear that one can even see underwater from the bridge.
Walk or bike across the Aka Ohashi Bridge and enjoy the spectacular view of Kerama, especially from the top of the bridge.
Directions from Naha Airport and Aka Port
The directions from Naha Airport to Aka Island are the same as for Zamami Island.
First, go to Tomari Port and take a boat to Aka Island.
And from Aka Port to Aka Bridge, it is only a one-minute walk.
Awaren Beach
Next, we will introduce some of the tourist attractions of Tokashiki Island.
Aharen Beach is a popular beach on Tokashiki Island.
Recommendations
Marine activities such as kayaking and snorkeling are popular at Abaren Beach.
However, what we recommend here is the "Deserted Island Ferry.
The uninhabited island ferry is a banana boat ride to Hanale Island, about 1 km from the beach.
Snorkeling can also be enjoyed on Hanale Island.
The waters around the uninhabited Hanale Island are even clearer and more beautiful, making it a perfect environment for snorkeling.
If you come to Awaren Beach, you should try the desert island crossing.
Directions from Naha Airport and Tokashiki Port
To get to Tokashiki Island from Naha Airport, first take the Yui Rail or a bus or cab from the airport to Tomari Port, then take a boat to Tokashiki Island.
Buses are available from Tokashiki Port, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach Awaren Beach.
Tokashiku Beach
Tokashiku Beach is another beach on Tokashiki Island.
It is a spot with a different charm from Abaren Beach.
Recommendations
This beach is also recommended for those with children, as the waves here are calm.
If you are lucky, sea turtles may swim nearby, and you can enjoy snorkeling in the sea with sea turtles.
If you come to Tokashiki Island, please visit this beach as well as Awaren Beach.
Directions from Naha Airport and Tokashiki Port
As with Awaren Beach, you will first go from Naha Airport to Tokashiki Island via Tomari Port.
Tokashiku Beach is about a 45-minute walk or 10-minute drive from Tokashiku Port.
Please note that there is no bus service here, although there is a bus service to Awaren Beach.
Recommended Gourmet in Kerama
When it comes to the pleasures of sightseeing, gourmet food is not to be missed.
Here are some recommendations for gourmet food in Kerama.
My Shop Uncle
Boku no Ten Ojisan is located on Zamami Island.
The restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike.
Features and Recommendations
Boku no Ten Ojisan is a restaurant with a menu centered on Japanese food.
You can enjoy Okinawa soba, katsudon (pork cutlet served on top of a bowl of rice), chanpon, etc.
A hearty bowl of katsudon is recommended by locals.
How about lunch after playing in the ocean?
Access from Naha Airport and Zamami Port
First, go from Naha Airport to Tomari Port and then to Zamami Port.
Boku no Ten Ojisan is located on the way from Zamami Port to Kozamami Beach.
Also note that it is closed irregularly.
Related Rankings:Set menus and cafeterias | Zamami Village
Little Kitchen
Here is another "Little Kitchen" on Zamami Island.
The orange exterior of the building is a landmark.
Features and Recommendations
This stylish café serves Southeast Asian and Western cuisine that the owner has actually tasted himself.
Popular menu items include curry and khao mangai.
Coffee, beer, and other beverages are available with the food.
Access from Naha Airport and Zamami Port
From Naha Airport, as with Furuzamami Beach, go first to Tomari Port and then to Zamami Port.
It is a one-minute drive from Zamami Port.
Related Rankings:cafe | Zamami Village
BEACH HOUSE AKA
Beach House Aka is a restaurant facing the beach on Aka Island.
There is also a terrace with a view of the ocean, where Kerama deer can sometimes be seen.
Features and Recommendations
Loco moco bowls, steak sets, and daily plates are also available for lunch and dinner.
Unusually for Aka Island, you can also enjoy Okinawan Orion beer.
Access from Naha Airport and Aka Port
As with the Aka Bridge, first go from Naha Airport to Tomari Port and then to Aka Port.
From Aka Port to Beach House Aka is a 10-minute walk.
Related Rankings:cafe | Zamami Village
Octopus Garden
Octopus Garden is a gourmet restaurant on Tokashiki Island.
Located near Abalen Beach, it is recommended for those who want to take the time to enjoy the evening.
Features and Recommendations
Located near Abaren Beach, I would like to try curry rice or seafood rice bowl for lunch after playing in the ocean.
In the evening, it can be used as a dining bar and can be enjoyed until late at night.
How about drinking a cold Orion beer in front of the Awaren Beach?
Access from Naha Airport and Tokashiki Port
For directions from Naha Airport to Tokashiki Port, please refer to the directions for Awaren Beach.
Octopus Garden is a 20-minute bus ride from Tokashiki Port, near Awaren Beach.
Related Rankings:dining bar | Watakashiki Village
Sea Friend
This is also "Sea Friend", just a short walk from Abalen Beach.
It is a leisure facility that can be used for diving stores and lodging.
Features and Recommendations
The restaurant on the second floor offers breakfast and dinner.
A breakfast buffet is provided for those staying at Sea Friend.
The lineup includes Okinawan soba and curry for lunch, and set menus and Okinawan cuisine for dinner.
You can also have drinks at the counter on the first floor.
Access from Naha Airport and Tokashiki Port
First, as with Octopus Garden, head from Naha Airport to Tokashiki Port.
Then go to Abalen Beach, which is about a minute's walk away.
Related Rankings:Set menus and cafeterias | Watakashiki Village
h2 Recommended activities to enjoy in Kerama
As we mentioned, Kerama offers a full range of marine activities.
So what kind of activities can you enjoy?
We are going to introduce several types of products, so please take a look at them if you are interested in playing in the sea.
snorkeling
First is the standard snorkeling.
This activity allows you to enjoy the underwater scenery while floating on the surface of the water.
Fun & Attraction
In the clear waters of Kerama, you can often see a wide variety of coral reefs and tropical fish.
You can also see sea turtles in some places, so be sure to look for them.
diving
Diving is a way to go deeper than snorkeling and enjoy the underwater world.
It is a more authentic way to explore the underwater world.
Fun & Attraction
In diving, the deeper you dive, the more you will feel the blue of the ocean.
You can enjoy the underwater world as if you were a fish.
But please do not touch the coral reefs and marine life too much for their protection.
SUP
SUP stands for "stand-up paddleboard.
Standing on a board, they paddle through the ocean or river.
Fun & Attraction
The appeal of SUP is that it can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages.
Standing on a board on the water may seem difficult at first glance, but SUP boards are very stable, and with a little practice you will soon get used to it.
You can enjoy a pleasant trip on the sea while the sea breeze blows.
Photos that look like they are standing in the ocean are so Instagram-worthy that there is even a term for them: "#SUP girls.
cruising
A leisurely boat ride is also recommended.
It is a different way to enjoy the sea than snorkeling or diving, in which you enter the sea by yourself.
Fun & Attraction
Cruising allows you to enjoy the scenery of Kerama to your heart's content.
For those who are not comfortable swimming or are anxious with children, cruising is recommended.
The "glass boat," which has a glass bottom, allows visitors to observe the underwater world without touching the water.
marine sports
There are so many different types of marine sports that can be enjoyed in the waters of Kerama.
Among marine sports, banana boats and parasailing are recommended for beginners.
Fun & Attraction
Banana boats and parasailing are marine sports that are relatively suitable for beginners because they do not require self-piloting.
Banana boats offer an exhilarating experience as you are pulled along by a jet ski and bathed in the ocean breeze.
Parasailing is like flying a kite, so you can leave the piloting to the boat.
There are numerous other marine sports available, so check them out if you are interested.
Canoe/Kayak
Canoeing and kayaking are another classic marine activity.
A kayak is called a kayak when both ends of the oar are fitted with a water rail, while a canoe is called a canoe when only one end is fitted with a water rail.
Fun & Attraction
Both are relaxing and enjoyable to experience as part of an activity.
It's an activity that gives you plenty of room to feel the ocean breeze and admire the scenery around you.
If you value scenery more than thrills, by all means try canoeing or kayaking.
whale watching
Giant humpback whales are also seen in the waters of Kerama.
Whale watching is a great way to observe these whales.
Fun & Attraction
Whale watching is mainly held from January to March.
At this time of year, humpback whales are in their breeding season and come to the warm waters of Kerama.
The whales that emerge with a big splash are truly a sight to behold.
Some people may have the impression that you can't enjoy the ocean in Okinawa in winter, but whale watching is a fun activity that can only be enjoyed in winter.
The opportunity to see whales in the wild in person is one that does not come along often.
3 recommended tours to enjoy in Kerama
Did you feel the charm of Kerama?
If you are interested in visiting Kerama, please join our tour.
The tours have guides to assist you in many ways, and equipment is often available for rent, so even beginners can enjoy themselves.
Finally, here are three recommended tours.
summary
We have introduced many recommended points in Kerama.
How was it?
There are many recommended sightseeing spots on Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island, and Aka Island.
If you are interested in any of the spots introduced here, please visit them.
