Gorilla Chop, located in the northern part of Okinawa Island, is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island.
When you see the large rock formation that looks like a gorilla doing a chop, you'll understand its unusual name.
The sea, teeming with coral reefs, is truly the ideal Okinawan sea.
This article will introduce information about Gorilla Chop, a popular spot not only for snorkeling but also for swimming and diving.

1. Gorilla Chop Location and Parking Space

Gorilla Chop is located in Sakimoto, Motobu Town, about 30 minutes from the Kyoda tollgate and about 15 minutes from the Churaumi Aquarium.
If you drive along National Route 449, which runs along the coastline, just before reaching Motobu Port, you'll see a large rock about 7 meters tall that looks like a gorilla doing a chop, beyond the fence of a small parking lot on the seaside. Use that as your landmark.

If you're only there to watch Gorilla Chop, use this nearest parking lot.
For those who simply want to swim and play in the sea, the parking lot at Sakimoto Green Space, which is very close by, is recommended. The management building has facilities such as toilets and showers, and Gorilla Chop is just a short walk from the beach.
The parking lot at Sakimoto Green Space has fixed operating hours from 9:00 to 16:00, but it is a large parking lot that can accommodate nearly 100 cars and is free of charge.

If you're using the Yanbaru Express Bus, which can be boarded from Naha city including the airport, it's less than a 10-minute walk from the Motobu Port bus stop.

2. Gorilla Chop's shower and changing room

The management building at Sakimoto Green Space, which also has free parking, has shower rooms, changing rooms, lockers, toilets, and vending machines, and these excellent facilities are another attraction of Gorilla Chop.

Showers are available for a fee, but they use hot water and cost 100 yen for 3 minutes.
This is a wonderful shower room with thoughtful touches, such as a handrail in front of each door where you can hang your wetsuit.

There are shared lockers, but no coin-operated lockers, so please do not leave valuables in them.
Each facility has set operating hours from 9:00 to 15:30, so please be careful not to get so caught up in the fun that you lose track of time.

3. Is it possible to rent snorkeling equipment locally?

Gorilla Chop does not have a designated swimming season, so you can enjoy snorkeling all year round. However, there are no shops near the beach that rent out snorkeling gear, inner tubes, parasols, or other beach equipment.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy snorkeling, you will need to bring your own.

4. Conclusion

Gorilla Chop is a place where the waves are not usually rough, and coral reefs spread out as soon as you enter the water.
It's a free and easy place for beginners to enjoy, where you can do SUP and snorkel individually, but there are designated swimming areas.
Please enjoy yourselves while following the rules and taking sufficient safety precautions!

Shirokuma Tours offers affordable Okinawa package tours. A wide variety of options are available, including tours to Ishigaki and Miyako Islands.

For local experiences and optional tours such as snorkeling and sightseeing bus tours, choose Tabi Plus One.

For diving in Okinawa, from license acquisition and fun dives to introductory experiences, choose Oceans Dive Tour.