In this article, we introduce snorkeling spots on Okinawa’s main island that even beginners can enjoy.
Swimming is a great way to enjoy Okinawa’s sea, but snorkeling lets you take in the underwater world to the fullest.
Snorkeling ranges from beginner to advanced level, and this time we focus on spots that even beginners can enjoy.
- No. 1: Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave
- No. 2: Gorilla Chop (Sakimotobu Beach)
- No. 3: Odo Beach (John Mung Beach / Odohama Coast)
- No. 4: Anchi Beach
- No. 5: Tokei Beach
- No. 6: Hanashiro Beach (Hanashiro no Sato ruins)
- No. 7: Miyagi Coast (Sunabe)
- No. 8: Odomari Beach
- No. 9: Bisezaki
- No. 10: Toya Fishing Port, Yomitan Village
- Bonus: Minna Island (Minna Beach)
- Summary
No. 1: Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave
Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave make up the most popular snorkeling and 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: Gorilla Chop (Sakimotobu Beach)
Gorilla Chop is a snorkeling 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. 3: 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. 4: Anchi Beach
Anchi Beach is a snorkeling spot on Sesoko Island in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is on an outlying island, but a bridge links it to the main island, so you can drive there.
At Anchi Beach, many people also enjoy SUP and other activities as well as snorkeling.
It is a beautiful snorkeling spot where you can see lovely coral and fish such as clownfish in the shallows.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Sesoko, Motobu Town, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Showers | Available (paid) |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 5: Tokei Beach
Tokei Beach is a beach on Kouri Island, an outlying island in Nakijin Village in the north of Okinawa’s main island that you can reach by car.
This natural beach is known for its clear water, beautiful sand and large natural limestone rocks.
You can snorkel here too, and there are usually a few people snorkeling.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Nakijin Village, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (both paid and free) |
| Showers | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 6: Hanashiro Beach (Hanashiro no Sato ruins)
Hanashiro Beach (Hanashiro no Sato Beach) is a beach in Yaese Town in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a hidden gem where you can snorkel, camp and barbecue.
The waves are relatively calm, and you can see lots of fish in the shallows.
Hardly any tourists come here, so it is also a great choice if you want to relax on the beach.
| Access | About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Hanashiro, Yaese Town, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available |
| Showers | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
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: Odomari Beach
Odomari Beach is on Ikei Island, an outlying island in Uruma City in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is on an outlying island, but it is linked by bridges, so you can drive there.
Odomari Beach is a natural beach known for its clear water and its rocks and other natural features left as they are.
You can see beautiful coral reefs and clownfish.
| Access | About 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1012 Ikei, Yonashiro, Uruma City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (paid) |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 9: Bisezaki
Bisezaki is a beach in Motobu Town on Okinawa’s main island.
It is famous as a snorkeling spot, and both locals and tourists enjoy snorkeling here.
The area has many sights nearby, such as Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and the Bise Fukugi Tree Lane.
The footing at Bisezaki is rough, so watch your step carefully.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 639-21 Bise, Motobu Town, Okinawa |
| Activities | Available |
| Parking | Available (paid) |
| Restrooms | Available |
No. 10: 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.
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 Beach)
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.
Snorkeling and diving tours can be booked through Viator or GetYourGuide, so take a look if you are interested.
| 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 spots on Okinawa’s main island.
Okinawa’s main island has many snorkeling spots, each one more beautiful than you could compare.
We hope this helps you choose a snorkeling spot on Okinawa’s main island.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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