In this article, we introduce diving spots on Okinawa’s main island that even beginners can enjoy.
Swimming is a great way to enjoy Okinawa’s sea, but snorkeling and diving let you take in the underwater world to the fullest.
Diving ranges from beginner to advanced level, and this time we introduce spots that even beginners can enjoy.
- No. 1: Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave
- No. 2: Cape Zanpa
- No. 3: Gorilla Chop (Sakimotobu Beach)
- No. 4: Odo Beach (John Mung Beach / Odohama Coast)
- No. 5: Around Sesoko Island and the Labyrinth
- No. 6: Around Manzamo (Apogama and more)
- No. 7: Miyagi Coast (Sunabe)
- No. 8: Toya Fishing Port, Yomitan Village
- Bonus
- Summary
No. 1: Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave
Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave make up the most popular diving spot on Okinawa’s main island.
The beautiful sea stretches out before you, and plenty of fish gather around the rocks and coral reefs, so you can watch them while snorkeling or diving.
It is a popular spot that draws many visitors every year, so be sure to visit.
Activities at Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave can be booked through Viator or GetYourGuide, so take a look if you are interested.
| Access | About 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 469-1 Maeda, Onna Village, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (paid) 100 yen per hour Hours: 7:00-19:00 |
| Showers | Available (paid) |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 2: Cape Zanpa
Cape Zanpa is a cape in Yomitan Village in the central part of Okinawa’s main island, a famous sightseeing spot where cliffs about 30 m high run for about 2 km.
It is also well known as a diving spot.
| Access | About 1 hour by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1861 Uza, Yomitan Village, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 3: Gorilla Chop (Sakimotobu Beach)
Gorilla Chop is a snorkeling and diving spot in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
The large rock known as Gorilla Rock and the tetrapods are also famous photo spots.
At Gorilla Chop, many tourists and locals go snorkeling, diving and SUP boarding.
Beautiful coral spreads across the area, and many fish live around the reef, which you can see while snorkeling or diving.
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 5232 Sakimotobu, Motobu Town, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Showers | Available (paid) |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 4: Odo Beach (John Mung Beach / Odohama Coast)
Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) is a beach in Itoman City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island, and it is also well known for snorkeling and diving.
The waves are relatively calm, coral reefs spread across the beach, and the water is very clear.
Sea turtles also come here to lay their eggs in summer, so with luck you may spot one.
| Access | About 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Odo, Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Showers | Available (paid) |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 5: Around Sesoko Island and the Labyrinth
Sesoko Island is an outlying island in the north of Okinawa’s main island, but it is linked to the main island by a bridge, so you can drive there.
On Sesoko Island you can enjoy all kinds of marine activities, including diving, snorkeling and SUP.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Sesoko, Motobu Town, Okinawa |
| Parking | Sesoko Beach / Anchi Beach: Available |
| Showers | Sesoko Beach / Anchi Beach: Available |
| Restrooms | Sesoko Beach / Anchi Beach: Available |
No. 6: Around Manzamo (Apogama and more)
There are many snorkeling and diving spots around Manzamo.
One especially famous spot is Apogama.
Apogama is for intermediate to advanced divers, so please pay close attention to safety when you dive.
| Access | About 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Onna, Onna Village, Okinawa |
| Parking | None |
| Showers | None |
| Restrooms | None |
No. 7: Miyagi Coast (Sunabe)
Miyagi Coast is a snorkeling and diving spot in Chatan Town in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
Besides snorkeling and diving, many people come here to surf, fish and swim.
There are many foreigners’ houses in the area, so you can also enjoy its Americanized atmosphere.
Snorkeling and diving tours can be booked through Viator or GetYourGuide, so take a look if you are interested.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Miyagi, Chatan Town, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Showers | None |
| Restrooms | None |
No. 8: Toya Fishing Port, Yomitan Village
At Toya Fishing Port, you can try diving and snorkeling with whale sharks.
You can also take photos with the whale sharks, making it a great spot for social media.
Diving and snorkeling can be booked through Viator or GetYourGuide, so take a look if you are interested.
Whale shark: a shark that grows up to 20 m long. It feeds mainly on large amounts of plankton, so it is generally considered low-risk to people.
Reference: Wikipedia
| Access | About 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Toya, Yomitan Village, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Showers | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
Bonus
Minna Island
Minna Island is an outlying island in Motobu Town in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is about 15 minutes by ferry from the main island, so you can easily make it a day trip.
It is a small island, but its beaches are stunning, and you can enjoy Okinawa’s nature to the fullest.
It is also well known for snorkeling and diving, and many visitors come every year.
| Access | Naha Airport → Toguchi Port (about 110 minutes) Toguchi Port → Minna Island (about 15 minutes) *For details on getting to Minna Island, see here. |
| Address | Sesoko, Motobu Town, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Showers | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
Summary
In this article, we introduced recommended snorkeling and diving spots on Okinawa’s main island.
Okinawa’s main island has many diving spots, each one more beautiful than you could compare.
We hope this helps you choose where to dive on Okinawa’s main island.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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