The most famous snorkeling and diving spot on Okinawa Island is the Blue Cave. The entire area is enveloped in a shimmering blue light, creating a fantastical and magical atmosphere.

The fish in the Blue Grotto are used to people, so you can easily interact with them both inside and outside the cave, which is a great advantage. Now, let's introduce the charm of the Blue Grotto, where you can have a mystical experience, and some fun ways to enjoy it!

<Table of Contents>
[1] The Blue Grotto is so beautiful
[2] Three points about the Blue Grotto
[3] Enjoying the Blue Grotto by Snorkeling
[4] Enjoy the Blue Grotto with a scuba diving experience
[5] The entrance to the Blue Grotto! What kind of place is Cape Maeda?
[6] Precautions for enjoying the Blue Grotto

There's a reason why the Blue Grotto is so mysteriously beautiful.

As you can see from a rainbow, sunlight contains many different colors.
When light enters water, it is absorbed, and in this process, shorter wavelengths of light, such as red light, are lost first.
On the other hand, blue has the longest wavelength among the seven colors, so it remains until the end.
This is why the sea appears blue.

And so the blue light remained.
It passes through the highly transparent ocean and reflects off the white, calcareous seabed.
The reflected light illuminates the ceiling and other surfaces inside the cave—and as a result, the entire cave appears to glow blue.
This beautiful blue color is thanks to the natural topography.

Furthermore, the blue color of this light subtly changes throughout the day depending on the time of day. Some people visit multiple times just to enjoy this change.

(Blue Grotto / from underwater)

(The Blue Grotto / This is what it looks like when you peek inside)

(The scenery is even more fantastical when you're diving.)

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Where is it located?

From your accommodation, you can use a rental car or shuttle service.

The Blue Cave is located at Cape Maeda in Onna Village, in the central part of Okinawa Island. It's about an hour's drive from Naha City, where Naha Airport and Kokusai Street are located.

Onna Village has many resort hotels. Many people stay at these hotels and travel by rental car.

Additionally, some diving shops and marine activity shops offer shuttle services to and from hotels in Naha.
If you want to stay in Naha and don't have access to a rental car, you should consider using services like these.

To enter the Blue Grotto

Once I arrive at Cape Maeda, how do I get into the Blue Grotto?

The simplest way is to swim there. There are stairs leading down to the sea at Cape Maeda, so you can swim there from there. However, it's generally recommended to join a tour with a professional rather than swimming there alone. It's dangerous for inexperienced people to go by themselves.

Another option is to join a diving or snorkeling tour and travel by boat to near the entrance of the Blue Grotto. This is less physically demanding than swimming to the entrance.

When is the best season?

Diving and snorkeling experiences are available all year round. Of course, temperatures drop and it gets cold in the middle of winter, so the best season to visit the Blue Grotto is from May to October.

October is officially autumn according to the calendar, but in Okinawa, the sea is still warm enough for swimming on many days. However, the Blue Cave is a popular spot, so it can get crowded during peak season. It's best to make a reservation as early as possible.

Can we still enjoy it on rainy days?

From early May to late June, Okinawa enters its rainy season, resulting in unstable weather. But don't worry, the Blue Cave is accessible! You can go unless the sea is extremely rough. It's said that rain doesn't affect the clarity or the beauty of the blue color inside the cave, so a little rain is no problem.

Snorkeling is a marine sport in which you wear a mask (goggles), a snorkel (a device for breathing at the water's surface), and fins (flippers) and float around on the water's surface while looking at the underwater world.

Unlike diving, it doesn't require special skills like equalizing ear pressure, making it appealing to non-swimmers and families with young children. Some tours even allow children as young as two or three years old to participate!
©OCVB

・Snorkeling tour itinerary

Now, let's go over the actual flow of a snorkeling tour. This time, we'll be explaining it with the cooperation of "Island Club," which plans many Blue Grotto tours !

Step 1

First, meet at the shop! After registering at the reception, you'll be given a wetsuit, so go to the changing room and change.

Step 2

Before the tour departs, you'll receive a lecture on how to use the equipment. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you have at this time.

Step 3

We enter the sea from Cape Maeda. The tour is finally starting!

©OCVB

Look at the right side of this photo. There are stairs leading down to the sea from the top of the cliff.
Let's go down these stairs and head out to the blue sea.
Descending in an unfamiliar wetsuit can be quite challenging. But let's proceed carefully, one step at a time.

Then we arrived at the surface of the sea. Even if you can't swim, don't worry, your body will naturally float if you're wearing a wetsuit.

Putting on goggles and peering into the water, I could already see a large number of tropical fish!
I'm so excited about the underwater world!

While being careful not to get separated from your instructor, swim towards the cave. If you're not a strong swimmer, ask your instructor to pull you along.

 

Step 4

As we approached the Blue Grotto, we encountered a huge school of small fish!
Step inside and you'll be greeted by a world of blue so intense it's hard to believe it's all natural light! Let's fully enjoy its beauty.

Step 5

After enjoying the snorkeling tour to the fullest, head back to the shop for a shower and a change of clothes.

The time from meeting to disbanding varies depending on the shop, but it is generally around 2 to 3 hours.

How to choose a snorkeling tour

[Meeting place]

The meeting place varies depending on the tour company. Some meet at the shop, others at the Maeda Cape parking lot, and still others at the port. In that case, be sure to check the availability of facilities at the meeting place. For women in particular, it's important to know if changing rooms, powder rooms, and lockers are available.

[Fee]

Snorkeling requires less equipment than diving, so it's generally cheaper. However, the services included in the price vary, so be sure to check carefully (especially the "how you get there" can significantly affect the price!).

It's essential to gather information beforehand, as some shops offer free underwater photography, and details about fish feeding and boat rentals are important.

[directions]

There are several ways to get to the Blue Grotto from where you meet up. The "going from the beach" plan takes longer because you'll be swimming, but you'll get to see plenty of fish and coral while you're swimming, so it's recommended for people who love swimming.

The "go by boat or kayak" option is, without a doubt, the most time-efficient way to get around. Generally, if boat use isn't mentioned in the shop's service description, you'll likely be going from the beach.

Of course, tours that go by boat or kayak will be more expensive, but you can enjoy the Blue Grotto more easily.

A summary of key points to consider when choosing a snorkeling tour!
How to get to the Blue Grotto [Beach, Boat, Other (Kayak, etc.)]... The easiest option is by boat, and the cheapest is by beach.
• Additional services [e.g., feeding the fish, underwater photography]
- The fewer the number of people per instructor, the safer and more attentive the instruction will be. Some shops also offer private group lessons.
・Transportation/Meeting Place: During peak season, the parking lot at Maeda Cape gets very crowded. If you don't have a car, pick-up and drop-off in Naha is also convenient!
Other factors include: the reliability of the vendor, the quality of the instructors, the shop's services, the target age range, etc.

Recommended experience tour shops

1. Island Club

590-1 Onna Village, Kunigami District
TEL: 098-963-0166
Reception: 7:00-22:00
http://www.okinawa123.jp/
Recommended experience tour: Blue Grotto snorkeling experience + tropical fish feeding snorkeling
This is our most popular package, which includes a fish-feeding program where you can interact with tropical fish. In the summer, departures start as early as 6:00 AM, guaranteeing you can enjoy the mystical Blue Grotto with fewer crowds.
Target age: 6 years and older
Price: [Group discount 500 yen] [Early bird discount 7/700 yen]

2. Marine Support Tide/Zanpa

950 Senaha, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District
TEL: 098-958-2646
Reception: 8:00-22:00
http://www.mstide.com/
Recommended Experience Tour ➡ Snorkeling in the Blue Grotto by private boat + Feeding tropical fish in the coral reef
This Blue Grotto tour takes you there by private boat, eliminating the need to climb steep stairs. After being amazed by the Blue Grotto, you can feed tropical fish in the coral reef sea! All you need is a swimsuit, a towel, and other small items; there are no additional costs.
Target age: 6 years and up
Price: 2,980 yen (2,480 yen if booked as a set)

3. Summer Resort Okinawa

2679-1 Yamada, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL: 098-964-3802
Reception: 8:30-17:30
http://www.summer-resort.jp/
Recommended Experience Tour ➡ Great Value Package! Blue Grotto Snorkeling & Banana Boat
Enjoy an easy boat trip, a full 40 minutes of snorkeling, and a fish feeding experience. Upon returning to the harbor, you can have fun on a banana boat without having to travel anywhere else. Free parking, showers, and hair dryers are available.
Target age: 6 years and older
Price per person: 2-3 people: ¥6,380, 4-7 people: ¥5,830, 8 or more people: ¥5,280
★Click here for tour details and reservations

4. Sea-free

1-16-7 Ishikawa Higashi, Uruma City, 1st Floor
TEL: 080-8396-0392
Reception: 7:00-21:00
http://okinawa-seafree.com/
Recommended experience tour ➡ Floating snorkeling
You can enjoy snorkeling with your children aged 2 to 5. Even children who can't swim can ride in a special boat for kids! Of course, you can also enter the Blue Grotto.
Target age: Groups with children aged 2 to under 6 years old, and those aged 60 and over.
Price: ¥4,500

5. Pink Mermaid

2705-1 Maeda, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL: 090-4513-0892
Reception: 8:00-18:00
http://blue-okinawa.com/
Recommended experience tour ➡ Blue Grotto Kids Snorkeling
The photos taken during the tour will be copied to your digital camera memory card and given to you free of charge.
Target age: Groups with children aged 1 year and older, and those aged 59 and under.
Price: Adults 7,000 yen, Children 3,500 yen (under 130cm tall)
★Click here for tour details and reservations

6. Blue Ocean

159-4 Maeganeku, Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL: 098-965-1888
Recommended experience tour ➡ Okinawa Blue Cave Introductory Diving
Latest camera rentals available! (+2,000 yen). The store facilities are also excellent, including hot showers, changing rooms, and toilets.
Target age: 10 years or older
Price: 8,000 for adults
★Click here for tour details and reservations

Here are the top 3 most popular Blue Grotto snorkeling tours on "Tabi Plus One," a booking site that handles activity tours all over Japan!
[1st place]
[Same-day reservations OK!] Snorkeling at the Blue Grotto by boat　￥4,400
[2nd place]
Snorkeling package visiting two major spots: the Blue Grotto and a coral reef paradise with clownfish.From ¥ 7,480
[3rd place]
Price-conscious ☆ Shower and changing room available - Blue Grotto snorkeling tour (solo)From ¥ 2,700

We also offer package tours that include a snorkeling experience in the Blue Grotto.

Please use this as a reference!

The Blue Cave is one of the most popular diving spots in Okinawa. The water isn't very deep, so even beginner divers can try it.

Another great thing about introductory diving is that you can easily enjoy it even without a license or experience. An instructor will guide you from the ground-based lecture onwards, so you can feel safe.

• Flow of the introductory diving tour

Now, let's go over the process of conducting a trial diving tour. We'll explain this with the cooperation of "Island Club."

Step 1

First, meet at the shop! After registering at the reception, you'll be given a wetsuit, so go to the changing room and change.

Step 2

Before the tour departs, you'll receive a lecture on how to use the equipment. Make sure you get a thorough explanation so you don't panic if something goes wrong underwater.

Step 3

We enter the sea from Cape Maeda. The tour is finally starting!

Step 4

Let's dive into the underwater world! Cute tropical fish are waiting for you.

We've arrived at the Blue Grotto! Diving amidst this fantastical scenery is truly special.

Step 5

After fully enjoying the introductory diving tour, head back to the shop for a shower and a change of clothes.

How to choose a diving introductory tour

[directions]

Just like snorkeling, there are options for diving that depart from the beach and others that go by boat or kayak. However, don't forget that diving equipment is heavy.

If you choose the "go by boat or kayak" plan, you can go directly to the Blue Grotto, making it less physically demanding. However, you'll be entering deep water right away, so it might be challenging for those who aren't strong swimmers. The "go from the beach" plan involves entering the water from shallow waters, which is less stressful and allows you to gradually get used to the water, making it suitable for beginners.

[staff]

While introductory diving is an accessible sport that doesn't require a license, the possibility of an accident cannot be denied. Always participate in tours conducted by qualified divers. If this is not clearly stated in the service description, be sure to check beforehand.

A summary of key points to consider when choosing a diving experience tour!
How to get to the Blue Grotto (entry method) [Beach/Boat]... If you enter from the beach, going up and down the stairs is quite strenuous!
- The fewer the number of people per instructor, the safer and more attentive the instruction will be. Some shops also offer private group lessons.
• Pick-up/Meeting Places: Shop, Maeda Cape parking lot, nearby fishing port, etc. Tours with Naha pick-up/drop-off are also available.
Other factors include the reliability of the vendor, the quality of the instructors, the services offered by each shop, etc.

Recommended experience tour shops

1. Marine Support Tide/Zanpa

950 Senaha, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District
TEL: 098-958-2646
Reception: 8:00-22:00
http://www.mstide.com/
Recommended experience tour: Blue Grotto diving experience + coral reef tropical fish feeding
Enjoy a cruising trip to the Blue Grotto on a private boat. You'll have one instructor for every two people, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. After being amazed by the Blue Grotto, you can enjoy feeding the tropical fish.
Target age: 12 years old and above
Price: 9,500 yen (set reservation)

2. Marine Star

2-26-15-1F Akebono, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL: 098-943-9805
http://www.marinestar-okinawa.com/
Recommended Menu ➡ Relaxing boat tour! Private group tour! Blue Grotto introductory diving experience.
Since it uses a boat, it's easy, safe, and significantly increases your chances of success. Plus, because it's a private charter for your group, it's perfect for families, couples, and groups to enjoy without any worries!
Target age: 10 years or older
Price: ¥10,000
☆"Tabi Plus One," a website specializing in optional tours.Then you can book it for 9,000 yen, a 1,000 yen discount!

3. Blue Ocean

159-4 Maeganeku, Onna Village
TEL: 098-965-1888
Reception: 7:00-21:00
http://blue-cave.com/
Recommended experience tour ➡ Okinawa Blue Cave Introductory Diving
The Blue Grotto is just a few minutes away by private boat, so you don't need to carry heavy equipment. They also offer free underwater camera rentals and provide you with free digital copies of your memorable underwater photos.
Target age: 10 years old and above
Price: 7,000 yen (Spring discount)

This cape juts out into the East China Sea and is a popular entry point for diving. From the gazebo overlooking the entire cape, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful, varying shades of the sea. The Blue Grotto is also just a short distance away. Many tour companies use the parking lot at Cape Maeda as their meeting point, and as such, the facilities there are well-equipped.

©OCVB

Facility Information

The parking lot is spacious enough to accommodate 180 passenger cars. There are also spaces for large vehicles and disabled parking. If the parking lot at Cape Maeda is the meeting point, the facilities are quite extensive, as people will be changing into their wetsuits here. Changing rooms, coin lockers, and showers are all available. The availability of hair dryers is a welcome feature for women. Please note that as this is a public facility, there is a fee for using all of these facilities.

Parking: 100 yen per hour, Shower: 200 yen, Coin locker: 100 yen per use, Hair dryer: 100 yen

The multi-purpose space is used for introductory diving lessons and as a rest area. There are also restaurants serving Okinawan cuisine such as taco rice and Okinawa soba, so you might want to enjoy some Okinawan flavors before you start to exert yourself.

Recently, Okinawa's Blue Cave has become incredibly popular... The crowds, especially during the summer season, are immense, and if you're unlucky, you might not even be able to enter the cave before your tour ends.

Both snorkeling and introductory diving have set schedules, so there are often queues before you can even get into the water, and you might end up missing your scheduled time due to the waiting. Especially with diving, waiting for a long time in the scorching sun with heavy equipment is physically dangerous. If you're particularly interested in a "beach departure" plan, it's best to aim for the first tour of the day.

During the summer season, you have to wait in line just to go into the ocean...

On the other hand, in winter, rough seas can sometimes block the stairs leading to the beach entry point at Cape Maeda. It might be wiser to play it safe and choose to go by boat from the start.

Final thoughts

We've introduced the charm and ways to enjoy Okinawa's Blue Cave. What did you think? There are many different tours to the Blue Cave, so don't just focus on the price; try to find a tour that suits your preferences.

The mystical blue world where fish swim freely is full of charm that will make you want to return again and again!

☆Click here for package tours that include a Blue Grotto snorkeling experience.

☆Book your Okinawa local experience options, such as the Blue Cave, here.

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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