The “Blue Cave” of Okinawa! A complete explanation of the popular marine spot

The most famous snorkeling and diving spot on the main island of Okinawa is the Blue Cave. It is covered completely in blue light and radiates a wondrous atmosphere.

The fish of the Blue Cave are used to people, and will make you happy when they come up close to you. Now, without delay we will introduce the ways you can enjoy the mysterious experience in the wonder that is the Blue Cave!

【Table of Contents】
[1] The Beauty of the Blue Cave
[2] 4 Points of the Blue Cave
[3] Enjoy Snorkeling in the Blue Cave
[4] Enjoy Trial Diving in the Blue Cave
[5] Entrance of the Blue Cave! What kind of place is Cape Maeda?
[6] Important things to note so you can enjoy the Blue Cave

[1] The Beauty of the Blue Cave

There is a reason behind the mysterious beauty of the Blue Cave.

As you will understand if you look at a rainbow, there are a variety of colors contained in the light of the sun.
When this light hits the water it will be absorbed, but the red wavelength disappears because it is long.
Conversely, since blue is a short wavelength within the seven prismatic colors, the blue color will remain.
This is the reason why you see the sea as blue.

As for the remaining blue light.
The calcareous white sea floor reflects through the highly transparent water.
That reflected light shines upon the ceiling inside the cave—the result of this is that you can see blue shining throughout the entirety of the cave.
This beautiful blue color is the result of geographical features created by nature.

On top of this, the blue color of this light will change slightly even within the same day, depending on the time. Visitors who come many times look forward to this.

(The Blue Cave as seen from underwater)

(The inner part of the Blue Cave)

(You can see even more wondrous sights when you go diving)

[2] 4 Points of the Blue Cave

Where is this location?

The Blue Cave is in the center of the main island of Okinawa, in Cape Maeda of Onna Village. From Naha Airport or from Kokusai Street in Naha City, it is about an hour away by car.

There are many ways to get to the Blue Cave from Cape Maeda. Those who are experienced can get there simply by swimming, but those who are not experienced should use a tour. For people who are not experienced, it is dangerous to go by swimming.

Some tour companies that carry out diving and snorkeling in the Blue Cave will also come pick you up from Naha. This plan is recommended for people who do not have a method of transportation.

Can foreigners also participate in the tour?

Marine leisure businesses that can take in foreigners have greatly increased. However it is not yet to the point where we can say that you will receive service at all shops. There are a few patterns.

• Shops where no one in the group needs to understand Japanese to be able to participate. There are resident shops with staff that can speak foreign languages.
  (There are cases where the languages they can use to give service is limited, such as English only, Chinese only, Korean only)
• Shops with a rule where only people who can understand Japanese can participate (to ensure safety)
• Shops with a rule where at least one person in the group must understand Japanese

When thinking of making a reservation, check on the main website first to see if the shop can provide service in a foreign language. If there is no explanation listed, then make sure to inquire beforehand.

When is the best season?

Diving and snorkeling experiences are possible throughout the whole year. But since the temperate drops during the middle of winter, the best season is the period between May and October.

However, since the Blue Cave is very popular, there are many crowded days in the period between July and August as well as on weekends. There are cases where you must wait in line at the cave entrance before entering.
If you want to have fun leisurely, then you should avoid the middle of summer or weekdays and come in the early morning.

Can you enjoy the cave in the rain?

The rainy season is between the beginning of May and the end of June. Rainy days will increase. But the cave is fine! We can enter as long as the seas are not rough.
It is said that the rain has no effect on the transparency or the beautiful blue color of the cave, so you can rest assured even if there is a little rain.

[3] Enjoy snorkeling in the Blue Cave

Snorkeling is a marine sport in which you equip a mask (underwater glasses), a snorkel (the device used to breathe through the water surface), and fins (for legs), and float around the water surface while looking through the sea.

No special training is necessary. The fact that even people who cannot swim and small children can also casually enjoy themselves is appealing. There are also tours where children from 2 and 3 years of age can participate.
©OCVB

Progression of the snorkeling tour

Now we will talk about what happens when you participate in the snorkeling tour. (collaborative research： Island Club )

Step 1

First you will meet at the shop! Once you register at reception, you will be given a wetsuit and will go to the dressing room to change clothes.

Step 2

Before the tour departs, we will explain what we will do and give a lecture on how to use the fins and other equipment. Please ask about anything you do not understand.

Step 3

We will enter the sea from Cape Maeda. At last, the tour begins!

©OCVB

Take a look at the right side of this picture. From the top of the cliff there are some stairs that face the sea.
Go down these stairs, and you will arrive at the blue sea.
For those not used to wetsuits, going down can be quite difficult. But just go carefully, and take it one step at a time.

We then arrive at the sea surface. Even people who cannot swim can feel at ease, since the wetsuit will allow your body to float naturally.

If you put on the goggles and peek into the water, you can already see a large school of tropical fish!
You will be thrilled about the world inside the sea!

Be careful to not get separated from the instructor, and head toward the cave by swimming. The instructor will pull along those people who cannot swim well.

 

Step４

As you get close to the cave, you will encounter a large school of small fish!
When you go inside, you will be in the blue world. It is hard to believe that the light here is natural. Take in and enjoy the beauty to your heart’s content.

Step 5

Once you have been thoroughly satisfied, we will return to the shop to shower and change clothes.

The time from beginning to the end varies depending on the shop, but in general it is between about 2 to 3 hours.

How to enjoy the snorkeling tour

The place to meet

The meeting location will vary depending on the tour company. Some companies will meet at the shop, some at the Cape Maeda parking lot , and some will even meet in the harbor. In those cases, make sure to check the state of the meeting spot facilities. This is especially important for women, as you may want to check the changing rooms or make-up rooms and whether or not you can use a locker.

[Fees]

Since there is little equipment involved with snorkeling compared to diving, the fees are also relatively cheap. But be sure to check thoroughly since there are many services that have fees included (especially since the price can vary greatly depending on how you get there, as you will see next!).

Because there are differences between shops, it is necessary to gather information beforehand. For example, if underwater photography is free, if fish food is included, and if boats are used.

[How to go there]

There are various ways to go to the Blue Cave after meeting. A plan where you go from Cape Maeda and enter the sea takes time because swimming is involved. But while you are swimming you can fully enjoy the fish and corals, so this is recommended for people who like swimming.

Plans where you go by boat or kayak can let you make efficient use of time, as you will get to the cave quickly and comfortably by riding the boat.

In general, if boat usage is not mentioned in a shop’s service details, it seems it is common to go from the cape.

Of course the fees for tours that use boats or kayaks are higher, but you will be able to enjoy the Blue Cave comfortably.

 

All the points for choosing a snorkeling tour!
・How to get to the Blue Cave【beach, boat, other (such as kayak)】….Boat is the easiest for your body, but the beach option is the lowest price.
・Included services【fish food, whether or not there are things like underwater photography】
・Number of people to each instructor….Of course a low number of people means you will have more reassurance and personable instruction. Depending on the shop, there are reservations for groups.
・Pick-up and Drop-off, meeting location… Parking areas become very crowded if you meet at Cape Maeda parking lot during the high season. If you do not have a car, it is very convenient to be picked up and dropped off at Naha!
・Other….reliability of businesses, quality of the instructors, shop services, target ages

 

[4] Enjoy Trial Diving in the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is one of the most popular spots for diving in Okinawa. Since the water is not that deep, those new to diving can give it a try.

Another good point is that you can casually enjoy yourself since trial diving requires no license or experience. You can feel at ease because the instructor is with you starting from the lecture on land.

・Progression of the trial diving tour

Now let’s introduce what happens when you participate in the trial diving tour. Here the 「Island Club」will also give an explanation for us.

Step 1

First you will meet up at the shop! Once you register at reception, you will be given a wetsuit and will go to the dressing room to change clothes.

Step 2

Before departure there will be a lecture on how to use the equipment. Be sure to listen carefully so you can keep from panicking if there is trouble underwater.

Step 3

We will enter the sea from Cape Maeda. Finally, the tour begins!

Step 4

At last we head to the underwater world! The cute tropical fish are waiting.

We arrive at the Blue Cave! Diving here in this wondrous scenery is a special experience.

Step 5

Once you have been thoroughly satisfied with the diving experience, we will return to the shop to shower and change clothes.

・How to choose a trial diving tour

[How to get there]

The plans where you go from the beach and the plans where you go by boat or kayak are the same as with snorkeling. But with diving there are some differences that you can really feel.

A plan that uses a boat or kayak is easy-going on the body since you will go to the Blue Cave directly. But you will suddenly be going into deep water, which is a big hurdle for people who are poor at swimming. A plan where you go from the beach is more fitting for beginners. Since you will enter from the shallows it is stress free, and your body will become gradually used to the sea. However the equipment used in diving is heavy, and going down the stairs that lead from the cape to the sea is quite difficult.

[Staff]

Trial diving is a simple sport that you can do without a license, but we cannot deny the possibility of a “worst case scenario” accident. Be sure to confirm beforehand when service details are not clearly specified.

All the points for choosing a trial diving tour
・Going to the Blue Cave（Method of entry）【Beach・Boat】When entering from the beach, going up and down the stairs is very strenuous!
・Number of people to each instructor….Of course a low number of people means you will have more reassurance and personable instruction. Depending on the shop, there are reservations for groups..
・Pick-Up/Drop-off and meeting spots can be in places like the shops, the Cape Maeda parking lot, or the neighboring fishing harbor. There are also tours that will take you to and from Naha.
・Other…reliability of businesses, quality of instructors, each shop’s services, etc

 

[5] The Entrance of the Blue Cave! What kind of place is Cape Maeda?

This cape that sticks out into and faces the East China Sea is the entry spot for diving. From the gazebo that looks out on the whole cape, you can see the beautiful dark blue and shallow green colors of the sea in one view. Tour companies will often use the Cape Maeda parking lot as a meeting spot, and as such the facilities here are well furnished.

©OCVB

Facility information

The parking lot is a wide area with space available for 180 passenger cars. There are also large car spaces and handicap spaces.

There are changing rooms, coin lockers, and showers. Dryers are also available to borrow. This is a popular place among women, but there are fees attached.

Parking: 100 yen for 1 hour, shower: 200 yen, coin locker: 100 yen for 1 use, dryer: 100 yen

The multi-purpose space is used for trial diving classes and as a rest area. There is also a restaurant where you can eat dishes such as taco rice and Okinawa soba.

[6] Important things to note so you can enjoy the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave in Okinawa has become a very popular location now. It becomes quite crowded, particularly during sumer. For very unlucky people, it seems there are times when tours are closed and you cannot enter the cave.

Why can’t you enter? First, the times when the snorkeling and trial diving tours are carried out are already established. And within that, due to congestion, there are times when you must wait at the stairs that lead from the cape to the sea or at the entrance of the cave.

Just from this picture, you can see how lines can form at the stairs. There are cases where the tour will reach its designated closing time just from waiting if there are too many people in line.

When going diving, even if you manage to enter the cave, you may have already used up much stamina from waiting a long time under the hot sun with your heavy equipment. We recommend reserving the first tour in the morning because it does not become as congested then.

 

In Closing

Now we have told you about the fascination of Okinawa’s Blue Cave and how to have fun there. What do you think? Since there are many different kinds of tours that will take you to the Blue Cave, you should look for a tour that matches your interests without being bound by prices.
(Tours that will take pictures underwater for you, or tours that will give you food to feed the tropical fish, etc..)