6 spots โ sorted by traveller rating
The Kerama Islands 40 km west of Naha are home to some of the world's most biodiverse coral reefs โ 250 species of coral and over 360 fish species in 'Kerama Blue' water of extraordinary clarity. A top-10 global dive destination.
Zamami Island in the Kerama Islands โ voted Japan's most beautiful beach archipelago โ hosts large populations of green and hawksbill sea turtles in its coral gardens. Guided snorkelling tours in waters of extraordinary visibility (30 m+) offer near-guaranteed encounters with turtles feeding on seagrass or resting on coral heads โ an accessible, magical marine wildlife experience.
The Miyako Islands 300 km southwest of Naha have Japan's most brilliantly turquoise water โ the Irabu Bridge (Japan's longest toll-free bridge) connects the islands through shallow emerald shallows alive with rays and sea turtles.
Okinawa's west coast beaches โ Manza, Maeda, and Moon Beach โ offer the calmest water, the whitest sand, and the most accessible coral reefs. Manza's coral mushroom rock is one of Okinawa's most photographed spots.
The dramatic northernmost tip of Okinawa Island where the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean meet โ rugged limestone cliffs, wild ocean views, and pristine subtropical forest with almost no tourists.
Northern Okinawa's Yanbaru forest is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site โ home to the flightless Okinawa rail (yanbaru kuina), Okinawa woodpecker, and Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle found nowhere else on earth.
Found spots you love? Build a full day-by-day itinerary with the Plan Builder.
๐บ๏ธ Open Plan Builder โ