Kerama Islands | The Must-Visit Outer Islands of Okinawa!
The Kerama Islands mainly consist of three major inhabited islands: Tokashiki Island, Aka Island, and Zamami Island. Compared to the smaller uninhabited islets across the Keramas, these three islands have proper ferry ports, making transportation relatively convenient and offering plenty of scenic sights. Best of all, you can reach them from downtown Naha in just about 30 to 50 minutes by ferry, meaning you can easily enjoy a fabulous outer-island day trip even without booking overnight accommodation. The surrounding ocean here is celebrated worldwide as "Kerama Blue"—its crystal clarity and vivid colors rank among the absolute best in all of Okinawa Prefecture. It is genuinely an unmissable destination for anyone planning an Okinawa trip!
◎ How to Get to the Kerama Islands?
There are three main ferry routes, with fares and travel times detailed below:
| Vessel Type | Fares | Timetable |
| Standard Ferry (Ferry Zamami) |
One-way: ¥2,150 (Adult) ¥1,080 (Child) Round-trip: ¥4,090 (Adult) ¥2,060 (Child) |
Dep. Naha - Arr. Zamami Island 10:00 - 12:00 Dep. Zamami Island - Arr. Naha 14:00 - 16:00 (16:00 - 18:00) *Summer extra service |
| High-Speed Ferry (Queen Zamami) |
One-way: ¥3,200 (Adult) ¥1,600 (Child) Round-trip: ¥6,080 (Adult) ¥3,040 (Child) |
Dep. Naha - Arr. Zamami Island 09:00 - 09:50 (13:00 - 14:10) *Summer extra service 15:00 - 16:10 Dep. Zamami Island - Arr. Naha 10:00 - 11:10 (14:20 - 15:10) *Summer extra service 17:20 - 18:10 (17:00 - 18:10) *Summer extra service |
| Official Website | Zamami Village Ferry Information Zamami Village Office Naha Branch 098-868-4567 |
|
2. Naha ⇔ Tokashiki Island
| Vessel Type | Fares | Timetable |
| Standard Ferry (Ferry Tokashiki) |
One-way: ¥1,690 (Adult) ¥850 (Child) Round-trip: ¥3,210 (Adult) ¥1,610 (Child) |
Dep. Naha - Arr. Tokashiki Island 10:00 - 11:10 Dep. Tokashiki Island - Arr. Naha 16:00 - 17:10 |
| High-Speed Ferry (Marine Liner Tokashiki) |
One-way: ¥2,530 (Adult) ¥1,270 (Child) Round-trip: ¥4,810 (Adult) ¥2,410 (Child) |
Dep. Naha - Arr. Tokashiki Island 09:00 - 09:40 (13:00 - 13:40) *Summer extra service 16:30 - 17:10 Dep. Tokashiki Island - Arr. Naha 10:00 - 10:40 (14:00 - 14:40) *Summer extra service 17:30 - 18:10 |
| Official Website | Tokashiki Village Ferry Timetable TEL: 098-987-2537 |
|
3. Triangular Inter-Island Route: Tokashiki Island, Aka Island & Zamami Island
| Route | Fares | Timetable |
| Zamami Port ⇔ Aka Port (15 mins) |
Adult one-way: ¥300 Child one-way: ¥150 *Half price for persons with disabilities; free for seniors aged 75 and above |
Village Transit (Inter-Island Ferry & Bus) Guide |
| Zamami Port ⇔ Aharen Port (35 mins) |
Adult one-way: ¥700 | |
| Aka Port ⇔ Aharen Port (20 mins) |
Adult one-way: ¥700 |
With these three ferry routes and schedules, you can piece together all kinds of wonderful itineraries! It is crucial to note that all ferry tickets must be booked in advance by phone or online. Because these islands are wildly popular, seats sell out very quickly. According to local staff, tickets for peak summer travel are typically fully booked about a month in advance. My personal itinerary was a 3-day, 2-night trip starting from Naha to Tokashiki Island, continuing to Aka Island, and finally arriving at Zamami Island before returning to Naha. If your budget allows, I highly recommend opting for the high-speed ferry. Beyond the convenience and ride comfort, once you step onto these islands, you will inevitably wish you had more time to soak in the beauty!
Furthermore, since visiting the Kerama Islands is largely about enjoying the ocean, if you prefer not to worry about ferry bookings and transfers, you can also join popular day tour packages on travel booking platforms, such as the Kerama Diving Experience, Kerama Snorkeling Experience, Kerama Kuefu Island Half-Day Snorkeling Tour (with free photos), or full-day Kerama (Snorkeling | Diving) day trips. Everything from boat rides and meals to marine activities is taken care of at a fair price, letting you relax and enjoy the ride.
(When boarding your ferry to the Kerama Islands from Naha's Tomari Port, it takes about a 5-minute walk from the main terminal hall to the actual boarding pier. Be sure to allocate enough buffer time and do not linger too long in the lobby!)
(Before buying tickets, you must fill out a passenger boarding application form. The form is straightforward and easy to complete!)
◎ Tokashiki Island (Tokashikijima)
Home to only about 700 residents, Tokashiki Island features two main tourist beaches: Tokashiku Beach and Aharen Beach. Aharen Beach is where most travelers congregate, offering more comprehensive amenities, rental gear, and seaside facilities. However, when I asked the locals for their honest recommendations, they favored Tokashiku Beach. It has far fewer crowds, a more tranquil natural atmosphere, and water quality that arguably surpasses Aharen. After visiting both, I found that I truly preferred Tokashiku Beach as well. It is also famous as a sea turtle feeding habitat; you can frequently spot them gliding through shallow waters even while snorkeling just off the shore. If luck is on your side, you can swim right alongside wild sea turtles!
[Tokashiku Beach]
Address: 1919-1 Tokashiki, Tokashiki Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa (Tokashiku Beach)
Admission: Free entry; showers cost around ¥300–¥500; other rental equipment varies (¥1,000+)
Transportation: Options on the island include local buses, taxis, and car/scooter rentals. Many local inns also provide private guest shuttles. Fares vary, but contacting your accommodation for a shuttle is by far the most convenient choice!
Recommended Activities: Diving Experience | Snorkeling Experience | Full-Day Diving Tour | Full-Day Snorkeling Tour | Kuefu Island Half-Day Tour | Chibishi Half-Day Tour
Check Accommodations: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com | Expedia (Compare rates here)
(A panoramic bird's-eye view; the hotel owner told me this is the absolute best viewpoint on the island!)
(This was my very first view of the beach upon arriving, and "jaw-dropping" is the only phrase that does it justice. The legendary Kerama Blue truly lives up to its name!)
(Goodness! Could this beach be any more stunning? It 100% belongs on any "Recommended Okinawa Beaches List"!)
(Besides the beaches, these two friendly goats frequently star on postcards of Tokashiki Island!)
[Aharen Beach]
Address: 182-8 Aharen, Tokashiki Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa (Aharen Beach)
Admission: Free entry; showers cost around ¥300–¥500; other rental equipment varies (¥1,000+)
Transportation: Same options as Tokashiku Beach, but booking a transfer through your inn is strongly recommended. They usually include round-trip service, which eliminates waiting for public buses at a very fair rate.
Recommended Activities: Diving Experience | Snorkeling Experience | Full-Day Diving Tour | Full-Day Snorkeling Tour | Kuefu Island Half-Day Tour | Chibishi Half-Day Tour
Check Accommodations: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com | Expedia (Compare rates here)
(Aharen Beach draws lively crowds, and the coastal village right behind it is the largest settlement on Tokashiki Island. In terms of sheer convenience, it comfortably beats Tokashiku Beach. For just ¥1,000, you can even hop on a quick boat shuttle to the uninhabited islet of Panari just offshore!)
(The next day, I boarded the inter-island ferry to Aka Island! Although the vessel sign reads Zamami to Aka, it operates as an inter-island loop service, so you can also sail directly from Aharen to Aka. Coincidentally, I had the exact same friendly captain on both of my inter-island trips!)
◎ Aka Island (Akajima)
Next up, I took the inter-island ferry over to Aka Island. Among all its coastal spots, Nishibama Beach is undeniably the most celebrated. The highlight here is the sheer abundance of tropical fish and healthy coral reef ecosystems, making it a dream paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts. The sea remains breathtakingly clear—even the water right around the port slips will leave you in awe!
Additionally, Aka Island is linked to Geruma Island and Fukaji Island by bridges, including the famous Aka Bridge (Aka Ohashi). Renting an electric bicycle or regular bike to cruise through the island breeze and dramatic vistas is the ultimate way to explore!
[Nishibama Beach (Kitahama Beach)]
Address: Aka, Zamami Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa (Nishibama Beach)
Admission: Free entry; showers cost around ¥200; full snorkeling gear set rental is around ¥1,500
Recommended Activities: Diving | Snorkeling | Night Diving
Transportation: Bicycle rentals are approximately ¥800 for 4 hours (rates vary slightly by shop)
Check Accommodations: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com | Expedia (Compare rates here)
(Such a cool and happy little girl enjoying the beach!)
(The ocean water across all three Kerama islands is world-class! If you are eager to join marine water sports in Kerama, check out these reliable tour bookings: Diving Experience | Snorkeling Experience | Full-Day Diving Tour | Full-Day Snorkeling Tour; on Aka Island: Diving | Snorkeling | Night Diving.)
(The Kerama deer is an endangered, protected species designated as a Japanese National Natural Monument, with only around 200 remaining today, primarily on Aka Island. As nocturnal animals, they rarely appear during daylight hours; in fact, local guides used to organize specialized night observation tours. Today, I was exceptionally lucky to spot them right out in the open!)
(Even the water right at the port edge is so pure that boat hulls and their underwater shadows seem completely disconnected!)
◎ Zamami Island (Zamamijima)
Zamami Island is arguably the most iconic and quintessential island of the Kerama Archipelago, chosen by nearly everyone who ventures into the region. It welcomes travelers from every corner of the globe. In particular, Furuzamami Beach was awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, solidifying its reputation as a globally acclaimed world-class beach. Facilities and seaside services here are wonderfully complete, and the beach boasts an 800-meter crescent of powdery white sand. Directly across the bay lies uninhabited Amuro Island, accessible in just five minutes by boat taxi, making it another legendary snorkeling haven.
Furthermore, Zamami Island offers the most convenient transportation, dining, and shopping facilities among the three islands. It even features cozy izakayas and lively bars for evening unwinding—quite a feat for an island with just 1,000 residents! On the west side of Zamami Port lies another famous gem called Ama Beach. Ama Beach is especially celebrated for sea kayaking. If you want to paddle on the open water after snorkeling and diving, this is the place to be!
[Furuzamami Beach]
Address: 1743 Zamami, Zamami Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa (Furuzamami Beach)
Admission: Free entry; showers cost around ¥300; full snorkeling gear set rental is around ¥1,000
Transportation: Compared to Aka and Tokashiki, the village-operated bus runs quite frequently here, making it very easy to get around. The main settlement sits right next to the ferry port, so all shops and cafes are easily reachable on foot (see bus timetable below).
Recommended Activities: Diving Experience | Snorkeling Experience | Full-Day Diving Tour | Full-Day Snorkeling Tour
Check Accommodations: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com | Expedia (Compare rates here)
(As the most famous of the three islands, Zamami sees steady streams of visitors. The village bus provides convenient round-trip routes connecting Zamami Port, Furuzamami Beach, and the Zamami Campsite near Ama Beach. The photo shows the timetable and fares.)
(This was the first traffic light I encountered on the Kerama Islands—and indeed, it is the only one in the entire village! An amusing episode happened here: the locals kept calling the green signal "Blue," while I kept insisting it looked definitely green! After double-checking, I realized Japanese people historically refer to green lights as "ao" (blue) due to classical linguistic roots. Language nuances are always fascinating!)
(Standing here, only one thought crossed my mind: dive straight into the water!)
[Ama Beach]
Address: Ama, Zamami Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa (Ama Beach)
Admission: Free entry; showers cost around ¥100; full snorkeling gear set rental is around ¥1,000
Transportation: Bus services to Ama Beach are less frequent, so walking or renting a bicycle/e-scooter is recommended. You can also easily continue onward to scenic western observatories to catch stunning sunsets!
Recommended Activities: Diving Experience | Snorkeling Experience | Full-Day Diving Tour | Full-Day Snorkeling Tour
Check Accommodations: Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com | Expedia (Compare rates here)
(It was my very first time seeing water beside harbor tetrapods remain this unbelievably transparent!)
(Ama Beach is famous for its sea kayaking adventures and calm coastal waters!)
Looking back on my journey across the three main islands of Kerama, I still consider this one of the most classic, rewarding itineraries in all of Okinawa. If you find yourself traveling in Naha, I cannot recommend taking a ferry out to the Kerama Islands enough. The sea here is even more transparent and unforgettable than Okinawa's main island, allowing you to genuinely immerse yourself in an idyllic tropical vacation. I am confident that once you visit, you will find yourself longing to return again and again!