Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at the Blue Cave – A Must Do in Okinawa Japan

Okinawa is a treasure trove of natural beauty, boasting some of the most pristine and gorgeous beaches on the planet. Embracing the crystal-clear blue waters through snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water activities is an absolute must when you’re here.

On our trip to Okinawa, we knew we had to visit the Blue Cave: its deep blue glow and underwater beauty were just too intriguing to pass up. We did a ton of research beforehand to make sure we had the best experience, and after personally diving and snorkeling there, we can confidently say it was worth it.

Only accessible by boat, this stunning location offers a chance to explore vibrant marine life and mesmerizing water. We were lucky enough to experience it ourselves, and here’s what we found.

Finding Your Snorkeling and Diving Company, Instructor, and Courses

There are loads of local companies here that offer fun marine activities like diving, snorkeling, and even stand-up paddle boarding. If you’re a newbie to this or just new to Okinawa, don’t sweat it! It’s a good idea to hire a professional company or a tour group. They’re experts in the field and will guide you safely.

We did our homework and opted for a company called Swordfish based in Onna, Okinawa. Being first-timers to snorkeling and scuba diving, we wanted to ensure we were taken care of by the pros. Swordfish not only offers a variety of marine activities but also has courses that let you explore the mesmerizing Blue Cave. They’ve got three options for exploring the Blue Cave: snorkeling, an introductory diving course, or a combo of the two.

Each standalone course lasts about 150 minutes, including the time to get geared up and ready. We decided to go all in and chose the S1 Course. This combo course is double the time – around 300 minutes – but it’s absolutely worth it. It lets you experience both snorkeling and diving to the fullest, offering a great way to discover the beautiful underwater world of Okinawa.

Blue Cave Location and How to Get There

The Blue Cave is a gem located in Onna Maeda, in the middle of the Okinawan island. This spot is conveniently positioned between Naha and Nago. If you’re coming from Naha, it’s roughly a 50-minute drive, and from Nago, it’s around 40 minutes. This makes it an excellent destination for those looking to spend a half or full day exploring and enjoying Okinawa’s natural beauty.

The Blue Cave, being a unique and preserved natural site, is only accessible by boat. This is where your chosen tour group or company plays a crucial role. These local experts will make arrangements for transportation from their shop directly to the Maeda fishing harbor. Once at the Maeda fishing harbor, you’ll board a fast speedboat that will whisk you away to the stunning Blue Cave.

Choosing a local tour group for your visit to the Blue Cave ensures worry-free logistics. All you need to do is show up on time, and they’ll take care of the rest. This is a stress-free way to ensure you get the most out of your visit to the Blue Cave. With the staff handling the transportation, you’re free to focus on the exciting adventure that awaits you!

Our Experience with SwordFish Shop

We booked our course at 11 am using Swordfish’s online booking tool. After reserving our slot, we received email instructions about our schedule and preparations. As an insider tip, they recommended that we wear our swimsuits underneath our clothes for easy changing. This was a practical and helpful suggestion that we appreciated.

Arriving at the meeting point, the Ryukyu Village parking lot, we found the Swordfish staff waiting for us in a designated shuttle bus. They were punctual and ready to take us to their shop. The shuttle bus was comfortable and could fit six to eight people. So if there are others who have also signed up for the same course, you’ll all be taken to the shop together. It’s a great chance to meet fellow adventurers!

One thing to note is that the staff members speak a little English. However, they were able to communicate effectively and get their points across, ensuring we understood everything. Upon arrival at the shop, the staff directed us to the second floor. This is where we filled out the waiver and received a brief rundown of what to expect. The shop has changing rooms, shower rooms, a water station, storage shelves, and coin lockers for personal items on the second floor. They’ve thought of everything to make your experience as smooth as possible, and all the equipment is included in the price.

The staff mentioned an additional boat fee of 1100 yen per person for the transportation from Maeda Fishing Harbor to the diving spot. Although there was no choice but to agree, we were more than happy to contribute as it also supports the local business. The Swordfish team takes care of all the logistics, allowing you to focus on the exciting adventure ahead!

Snorkeling Experience at the Blue Cave

Our snorkeling adventure began with the staff providing us with all the necessary equipment: a wetsuit, water shoes, a life vest, snorkeling gear, and even a GoPro for capturing the underwater sights and adventure; and these are all included in the price. There were 3 groups, 6 people in total who signed up for snorkeling at this time. The staff then gave us detailed instructions on what to do if water entered the mask and how to keep our breathing tubes above water.

Once we were ready, we headed down to the first floor to change into our wetsuits. After a thorough briefing, we took a shuttle to Maeda Fishing Harbor where our boat to the diving destination awaited. The boat ride was quick, and before we knew it, we were dropped off at the loading spot and our instructor led us into the water.

The water was slightly cold but incredibly clear and blue. It was teeming with beautiful fish and other marine life. Our instructor guided us as we swam, pointing out interesting sights and ensuring we didn’t disturb the other snorkelers and divers. As we entered the Blue Cave, we were struck by the sight of other divers deep below us. The guide was very considerate in ensuring that we didn’t bother other people and followed his instructions.

Inside the Blue Cave, we had the chance to take pictures of the various marine life. The cave is divided into two parts, connected by a narrow passage. The second part of the cave is a stunning, deep blue, a sight that can be fully appreciated within 10 to 15 minutes. We spent a wonderful time exploring the cave and observing the marine life, even spotting a fish that resembled the famous “Nemo”.

After about 45 minutes in the ocean, we made our way back to the boat and returned to the shop. There, we debriefed and changed out of our wet suits. Those who had not signed up for the combo course took showers and prepared to head home. Overall, the snorkeling experience at the Blue Cave was an unforgettable adventure.

Intro Diving Experience

We had a change of instructor for our diving course as the previous instructor had another snorkeling class to attend. Since we were the only group that signed up for the diving course at this time, we practically had a private lesson. This was perfect for us because it was the first time we ever tried to scuba dive. Having a private lesson made the experience so much more valuable!

We changed into a dry wetsuit, shoes, gloves, and life vest. The instructor then put over 25kg of weight (free weights and oxygen tank) on us as we headed out to the local beach. Since we had already been to the Blue Cave earlier for the snorkeling part of our course, and with this being our first time ever trying scuba diving, we were keen to learn some more of the basics before venturing to deeper ocean areas.

As we got into the water, the instructor gave us our extensive briefing. He taught us how to get rid of water in our masks and mouths, various hand signals for communication, the breathing technique for successful diving, and how to flip over if we needed to take a break. We did some basic practice and gradually submerged fully into the ocean.

In the beginning, it was challenging to adapt to the water pressure. Our instructor was patient and encouraged us not to give up, and to keep trying and eventually, we were successful. We were secretly happy that we got to do this privately instead of going to a deeper ocean area. As we got used to the breathing and signals, we dove deeper into the ocean.

We spotted various marine life, seagrass, corals, sea cucumber, and a crab. The water is so clear and it’s just so amazing to witness the beauty of nature on this magical island. Time swam by quickly, and before we knew it, we found ourselves wrapping up the course and heading back to the shop to debrief, shower, and change. The instructor was so nice, on the way back, we chatted about his diving career of over 25 years! It was a wonderful, unforgettable experience.

Wrapping up after the snorkeling and diving course

After an incredible day of snorkeling and diving, it was time to wrap things up. We headed up to the second floor of the SwordFish shop to settle our bill. The total came to ¥26,200 for the two of us, which we found to be extremely reasonable. Considering all the activities we got to do and the amazing things we saw, it was unquestionably worth it. As a bonus, we even had a private diving course! We took some fantastic photos during our adventure, and the staff kindly transferred all the photos and videos from their GoPro to my phone.

Once our payment was concluded, the staff directed us up to the third floor for some well-deserved refreshments. As we enjoyed our snacks and drinks, we were treated to a beautiful view of the ocean – a perfect way to wind down after a day filled with excitement and new experiences.

After finishing our refreshments, the staff drove us back to the Ryukyu Mura parking lot, marking the end of our Blue Cave Snorkeling and Intro Diving Course. As we said our goodbyes, the staff wished us all the best. Their professionalism and friendly demeanor truly made our experience unforgettable.

Tips to fully enjoy your snorkeling and diving experience

To fully enjoy your snorkeling and diving experience with a local tour group in Okinawa, here are some key tips:

• Always be punctual. Remember, if you are late, the group will not wait due to their tight schedule.
• You may be part of a group with other participants. Embrace this as an opportunity to meet fellow adventurers.
• Don’t worry if you struggle or are slower initially, the group and staff are there to support and guide you.
• Consider paying in advance to avail of a 10% discount. Do note, this may not cover the boat transportation fee.
• The tour group will provide towels, but feel free to bring your own for added comfort.
• Be aware of the cancellation policy. A full refund is issued for cancellations made two full days before the event. Any less notice results in no refund.
• The staff will go through the waiver form with you, ensuring you are prepared and fit for the course.
• Apart from this tour, there are other courses available. Explore all options to find what best suits you and your plans.

For fun things to do in Northern Okinawa, check out our Okinawa guide here.

Conclusion

Our journey in Okinawa, exploring the aquatic marvels of the Blue Cave through snorkeling and diving, was truly a highlight of our trip. The professionalism and guidance provided by the SwordFish team enhanced our experience, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the spectacular underwater world. We were awestruck by the vibrant marine life and the ethereal beauty of the Blue Cave.

This adventure is a must for anyone visiting Okinawa, offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature and create unforgettable memories. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a first-timer, the Blue Cave promises a thrilling and rewarding experience. We can’t recommend it enough!