Kerama Islands
2026 swimming season
April 18 – late autumn 2026 (Zamami)
Beach opening dates change every year. Confirm before you travel.
See all Japan beach opening dates →About This Destination
The Kerama Islands are a group of about 20 islands located 40 kilometers west of Naha, designated as Keramashoto National Park in 2014. The islands are renowned for their exceptional water clarity, often called Kerama Blue, with visibility reaching 50 meters or more. Zamami and Tokashiki are the two largest inhabited islands, offering pristine white sand beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving among coral reefs and sea turtles, and winter whale watching from January through March when humpback whales visit the warm waters. Access is by ferry from Tomari Port in Naha, with high-speed boats taking about 50 minutes and regular ferries about two hours to Zamami. The islands maintain a relaxed, unspoiled atmosphere far removed from the busier main island beaches.
Location
Prefecture: Okinawa
Address: Zamami, Okinawa, Japan
Nearest Station: Tomari Port (Naha)
Best time to visit: Late spring to autumn for 'Kerama Blue' waters, diving and snorkelling; winter for whale watching
Visitor Information
Credit Cards: Unknown
Food Options: Small island restaurants serve fresh fish, Okinawan dishes, and simple Japanese meals. Zamami has a handful of cafes and izakaya. Bring supplies for beach picnics.
Access
Okinawa, Japan
Get DirectionsFrequently Asked Questions
Which island should I pick: Zamami, Tokashiki, or Aka?
Three main inhabited islands, each with a different vibe. **Zamami** (~600 residents): the most photogenic single beach (Furuzamami: turtles, fish from the shore, easy entry), walkable port village with cafes and minshuku, the most accessible 'feels remote but isn't' choice; pick this if you've got 1 to 2 days. **Tokashiki** (~700 residents, largest island): Aharen Beach is more developed with rental shops and seasonal lifeguards, better for families; longer ferry-to-beach transfer (15-min bus). **Aka** (~280 residents): quietest. The boats from Naha call there, and the village boat Mitsushima links it with Zamami (15 min, ¥500). Nishibama Beach is the least crowded; bring what you need, as there is no convenience store and dining is limited. **Suggested**: first-timers pick **Zamami** + a day trip to **Aka** on the village boat if you have a second day. Tokashiki is the call only if Zamami's accommodation sold out (likely in summer).
When do whales come, and is snorkeling worth it year-round?
**Humpback whales** migrate to Kerama waters **late December through early April**, with the highest sighting probability **mid-January through mid-March** (peak Feb). Whale-watching tours run from both Naha (¥6,500 to 8,000) and the islands directly (¥5,500 to 6,500, ~2.5 to 3 hours, smaller boats with closer encounters). Sightings are weather-dependent and not guaranteed. **Snorkeling year-round, but**: water is warmest June to September (28 to 30 °C, no wetsuit needed); cooler Nov to May (22 to 25 °C, wetsuit helpful but rentals available everywhere). Sea turtles at Furuzamami Beach are present year-round but easiest to spot in calm summer mornings. **Coral health**: Kerama survived the 2016 mass bleaching better than many Okinawan reefs and remains some of Japan's healthiest; still, reef-safe sunscreen is requested. **Diving** (PADI shops on Zamami and Tokashiki): try dives ¥12,000, certified dives ¥9,000/2-tank. The famous boat-only sites are at the unhabited outer islets, so book at least 1 week ahead in summer.
Day-trip from Naha or stay overnight, and what should I bring?
**Day-trip is workable**: in the village's October 2026 timetable the first Queen Zamami high-speed boat left Naha's Tomari Port at 9:00 and reached Zamami at 9:50, and the last one back left Zamami at 16:10, giving about 6 hours on the island. The timetable changes month to month, so check it before you plan. Tight but doable for one beach + lunch. **Overnight is dramatically better**: sunset on Furuzamami Beach with no day-trippers, stars without light pollution, and time for the village boat to Aka. Zamami minshuku ¥7,000 to 12,000/person with dinner + breakfast; ~30 listed on stayokinawa.com, so book 2+ weeks ahead summer, 1+ month ahead Marine Day weekend. **Ferry tickets**: one-way adult fares on the village's fare page, posted November 2025, are ¥3,950 on the Queen Zamami (50 to 70 min) and ¥2,900 on the slower Ferry Zamami (~2 h), plus a ¥100 island tax per visitor. Phone bookings open one month before the sailing and close the day before; same-day bookings are not taken. You can also book online through vill.zamami.okinawa.jp. Seats fill quickly in peak season. Both run weather-dependent, with winter cancellations common, so build a buffer day. **Bring**: cash (ATMs on Zamami and Aka are closed at night and on some days, and some visitors' cards have not worked), reef-safe sunscreen (island shops stock only a little), snorkel gear if you have it (rentals ¥1,000/day), light long sleeves for the sun, refillable water bottle. There is no convenience store on the islands, and many everyday items are hard to find.
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