Blue Cave, Okinawa
What you can’t miss while visiting Okinawa must include the Blue Cave. It is considered one of the three most famous blue caves in the world that humans can reach, along with blue caves on Capri Island of Italy and Bisevo Island of Croatia. White grits on the seabed reflect the sun's rays into the clean water, creating the unique dreamy blue. That’s the name origin of the cave. You can dive into it to see the shimmering blue seawater.Best Ways to Visit Blue Cave - Snorkeling or Diving
The Sea Around Blue Cave
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water when snorkeling, so it’s more friendly to amateurs. On the other hand, for diving, one must dive into a depth of at least 5 meters (17 feet) with a diving guard, a full set of diving suit and oxygen bottle. Diving provides a closer distance with sea creatures compared with snorkeling, and you need to learn some dos and don’ts before diving.
There are other ways of visiting Blue Cave. One is going to Busena Marine Park, which holds an underwater observatory where you will have a wonderful 360-degree view of the marvelous marine creatures like clownfish, Hawaiian ornate butterflyfish, and the Moorish idol.
Tip: In Okinawa, diving is not an exclusive right of experienced and pro divers. Amateurs can dive without the diving experience. However, it’s required that amateurs be accompanied by a dive guard. Besides, it’s recommended that visitors book a diving agency to plan their schedules. It’s safer and trouble-free to have a professional team prepare almost everything you need for diving in Blue Cave.
Best Time to Dive
Gathering Seafood on the Beach
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more comfortable for you to dive. However, if you want to see clearer water, then coming here in cooler months may be a better choice since when the weather gets cooler, the number of plankton in the sea will decrease, and the seawater will be cleaner than in warm days. But be sure to come here no later than October.
In the morning, the water is more transparent compared with in the afternoon, which is deeper blue due to the changing angles of sun rays. And the peak time slot in a day is from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. So it’s recommended that you avoid this period. Thus the optimal time to visit the cave is in the early morning or at least before noon.
How Much Does It Cost to Dive in Blue Cave?
The price varies according to different diving agencies and included activities. The average price of diving is around 10,000 yen and snorkeling 4,000 yen per person. In addition, make sure you book the diving service at least three days ahead.But do remember to check the details in your contract with the agency:
The number of people
Fewer members in the team will provide a better experience.Equipment
Confirm what diving equipment they have and will the equipment be paid additionally or not.Free and Charging Activities
There are several diving activities in the Blue Cave, such as feeding the fish, taking photographs or videos, and taking the boat. Make sure that you are fully aware of what activity is in your contract and what activity needs to be paid additionally.Insurance
Even though visitors risk little diving or snorkeling here, it’s better safe than sorry. Thus, an explicit illustration of insurance in the contract is necessary.|
To See the Fish in Okinawa Sea
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How to Get Here
Take Bus 120 at Naha Bus Terminal and get off at Kuraha. After getting off, walk for 15 minutes: turn left and walk along the road, and turn right at the first crossing and again right at the second. The bus fare is 1,360 yen and the total time is around 2 hours.Or you can get off at the next station of Kuraha and take a boat to Blue Cave. It’s more convenient and requires less tiring walking.