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Kerama Islands Snorkel.
A fast boat across open water to the clearest blue in Okinawa. Sea turtles, coral, and the bluest oceans in Okinawa.
A small charter boat takes you out to the Keramas, run by a local crew we've worked with for years. They find the calm water; you slip in — over coral, beside turtles, with no crowds.
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The day.
- 8:00
Meet & board
the crew runs a quick safety briefing and gear fitting, and you cast off as a group.
- 30 minutes
Crossing
Open water from the coast to the islands. Spray, horizon, and the colour shifting under the hull as the depth drops away.
- 8:40
Snorkel stops
The boat anchors over coral, and you slip in. The boat will move rounf a couple of spots depending on the group and conditions.
- 12:00
Return to port
Back across the water to the port where you started.
The blue out here is real. Locals call it Kerama Blue, and once you've seen it you understand why it needed a name of its own. The visibility runs deep, the coral is healthy, and the whole island group sits far enough offshore that the water stays clear and the days stay quiet.
The boat is small — ten people, often fewer. The crew know this water: not shouting over a crowd, but pointing out a turtle before it drifts off, moving the boat when a better patch of reef opens up. Beginners do fine — everyone gets a wetsuit and flotation.
What you'll remember is the turtles. They feed in the shallows and they're in no hurry, which means you can float above one for a long while before it decides to move on. Coral underneath, sunlight cutting through, a turtle below you — that's the morning. The full day just gives you more of it.
“We did the full day and I'd do it again tomorrow. Calm boat, tiny group, and we swam with three turtles before lunch. The guide put us on the best water every single time. The blue out there doesn't look real.”
The practical bits.
- Bilingual local guide (English & Japanese), in the water with you
- Charter boat and skipper
- Flotation aids Safety briefing and in-water guiding
- All snorkel gear — mask, snorkel, fins
- Wetsuit
- Lunch and drinks — bring your own (full-day guests eat on board)
- Towels
- Transport to and from the port
- Swimwear worn under your clothes, and a towel
- A full change of dry clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat
- Water and snacks — lunch too, if you're on the full day
- Difficulty: beginner-friendly. Non-swimmers are fine — wetsuit and flotation are provided, and you can stay at the surface.
- Minimum age: 8.
- Departures: the boat needs a minimum of 4 guests to sail (your group plus other sign-ups count).
- Weather: the Keramas are reached by open water. Stops shift for wind and sea conditions, and your guide makes the call on the day.
- No shore time — the day is spent on and in the water.
- The boat is not a private charter, it may have other snorkellers aboard
Full payment due at booking to secure your boat.
Full refund 48 hours prior. No refund less than 48 hours before the tour. Full refund if the captain cancels for unsafe sea conditions and the boat doesn't depart.
The crew who take you out have been working this water far longer than we've been sending guests to them — and they're the reason we keep coming back. We pick the people; they read the sea. Come ready to float, and leave the rest to us..
— — Aya & David
Have a question about this tour?
Send a note — dates, group size, dietary needs, anything. We usually reply the same day.
What guests said.
Read all reviews
We had the most incredible experience on our trip to Okinawa from 14th May to 4th June this year, and it truly deserves every one of its 5 stars. I travelled with my dad and my partner, and from the very beginning the whole experience was seamless, professional, and beyond anything we expected. We booked through Things To Do, and I can honestly say they made this trip unforgettable. Our tour guides, David and Aya, were absolutely fantastic – knowledgeable, warm, and always went above and beyond to make sure the three of us had the best possible time. Their passion and insights into Okinawa’s history, culture, and hidden gems gave us a much deeper appreciation of this beautiful region! ❤ The driver was consistently punctual, which meant our days ran smoothly and we got the most out of our day. Every transfer felt effortless, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy the stunning scenery together. Highlights of the trip are too many to count, but a few really stood out. Visiting the secret waterfalls in Nago felt like discovering a hidden world – peaceful, breathtaking, and far from the usual tourist trails. The beautiful beaches in Ogimi were another highlight, we went at a time when it was and quiet without the crowds. Our time in Kunigami was equally unforgettable: after a day of exploring, we enjoyed a wonderful Japanese BBQ dinner, followed by one of the most magical evenings imaginable – lying under the stars with no light pollution, watching shooting stars. Meals throughout the trip were another highlight – both lunches and dinners were consistently delicious, offering a variety of authentic Okinawan food. I love Japanese food anyway so I was easily pleased and always keen to try different foods😆 One of the things we appreciated most was that by booking through Things To Do, we really did get to live like locals rather than fall into the usual tourist traps like some other places we have been on mainland Japan. The experiences, restaurants, and destinations we were introduced to felt authentic, meaningful, and unique - not something we would have found on our own. Overall, this trip was everything we hoped for and more. From the organisation to the unique experiences and personal touches, it was a truly first-class trip. We couldn’t have asked for a better company than Things To Do, or better guides than David and Aya. If you’re looking for a holiday that is stress-free, immersive, and unforgettable, this is it.
First tour experience ever and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Aya offered an experience that felt as if she was a friend, showing us her favorite spots in Okinawa. The places we went to were great as well. The hike to the waterfall was amazing and was private. The lunch that was served was delicious. The snorkeling locations were so awesome and I had such a wonderful time. Aya made the trip all the more worthwhile with her enthusiasm and passion for Okinawa, and for how knowledgeable she was in the history and culture of Okinawa. I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to explore this wonderful island!
Thank you for a great time! I did the 2 day tour with day one being the Culture & Coast Half-Day (City Center → South Coast) and day two being the Half-Day Ocean Cave Exploration. It was very flexible and accomodating around my schedule. I really enjoyed the in depth explanations and experiencing all the spots we visited as well as the tours being filled with fun and laughter. I learned a lot about Okinawa, the culture, stories about the past and people of Okinawa, and was also able about to try a bunch of different food as well as visit local spots. It felt like a true local experience with hidden gems provided by friends. Recommendations for other things to do or places to visit were provided too. There was also some sick film photos taken during the tours. I recommend anyone seeing this to visit Okinawa and especially to book with @thingstodoin.jp to enhance their experience in Okinawa! I’m excited for the next time I visit Okinawa! Would book a different tour in the future!
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