Local Guide
5 Activities to enjoy the great nature in the central area of the main island of Okinawa

Surrounded by the sea and rich in nature, Okinawa offers a wide variety of activities such as kayaking, SUP, and snorkeling. While listening to the instructor's explanation, you can have a precious experience of encountering rare creatures that live in Okinawa and plants unique to the tropics. Here are five carefully selected activities in the central area of Okinawa's main island that you can easily enjoy.

Experience the mangroves up close while kayaking down the Hija River

Encounter banyan trees over 100 years old and mangroves unique to the subtropical zone
Encounter banyan trees over 100 years old and mangroves unique to the subtropical zone

Experience the largest river in Okinawa, Hijagawa, while paddling a kayak. Experienced guides will teach you how to paddle the kayak, the river's ecology, and Okinawa's history. The current of the Hiyagawa River is gentle and the waves have little effect, so it is safe for children and adults alike.

In the mangrove forests, you can observe up-close banyan trees that are more than 100 years old and the rare creatures that live there, such as the "tontomy" (a member of the goby family) and the "shiomaneki" (a small fish species).

Get wrapped up in the magic hour on a kayak

Have the magic hour right in front of you, undisturbed
Have the magic hour right in front of you, undisturbed

In the "Sunset Kayak," kayakers paddle out into the ocean on the west coast of Okinawa's main island at sunset. What awaits you ahead is a sunset that is about to set. The beautiful "magic hour" created by the setting sun as it fades from the horizon is a sight to remember. With nothing to block your view, you can enjoy this romantic moment from the top of your kayak.

In addition to kayaking, visitors can also experience "SUP yoga" taught by a nationally certified yoga instructor.

Blue Field Okinawa
  • address (e.g. of house) 566-11 Mizugama, Kadena-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction Approximately 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • Direction From Naha International Airport, take Ryukyu Bus No. 120 to "International Passenger Terminal Mae", get off at "Mizugama" and walk 10 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 8:00-19:00
    Mangrove kayaking 9:00～, 11:00～, 13:00～, 15:00
    Sunset kayaking 1 hour before sunset
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee Mangrove Kayak and SUP ExperienceAdults (junior high school students and older): 5,800 yen, Children (elementary school students and younger): 4,800 yen
    Sunset kayak and SUP Experience: Adults (junior high school students and older): 5,800 yen, Children (elementary school students and younger): 4,800 yen
  • TEL 098-989-0780
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Age Limit Kayak Experience: 2 years old and up, SUP Experience: 2 years old and up
  • Memo Various discounts available

A thrilling Activity where you glide through the blue sky and ocean of Okinawa

Slide down the longest 120 meters with safety devices attached to the cables.
Slide down the longest 120 meters with safety devices attached to the cables.

Activities at outdoor parks in symbiosis with nature originated in France. There are 35 Forest Adventure locations throughout Japan, but "Forest Adventure in Onna," the southernmost in Japan, is the best location overlooking the blue ocean.

The most recommended activity is the "Zip Slide," a 120-meter cable ride. The attraction is the exhilarating feeling of speed as you feel the wind in your face while gazing at the beautiful sky, the East China Sea, and the tropical jungle spread out in front of you. Visitors can experience a total of eight long and short zip-slides.

After soaring through the sky, you can enjoy a variety of Activity courses.

A variety of Activities to enjoy the panoramic view
A variety of Activities to enjoy the panoramic view

After the thrill and exhilaration of zip-sliding, there are numerous other activities such as "Tarzan Swing" and "Climbing Wall" that will test your courage to jump off.

Even young children can enjoy the "Adventure Course," which is enjoyed on a high hilltop surrounded by tropical wilderness. Activities are set up in a way that minimizes environmental impact and preserves nature, so you can feel as if you are on an adventure in the great outdoors.

Forest Adventure in Onna
  • address (e.g. of house) 1525 Maeda, Onna-mura, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction Approximately 55 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • Hours of Operation 8:00 - 17:00 (Admission hours: 9:00 - 14:30)
  • Closed Not available
  • Admission Fee Adventure course: General 3,800 yen, Group rate (8 or more people): 3,500 yen
  • TEL 090-4739-9140
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Age Limit Adventure course: 4th grade elementary school students and older or those over 140 cm in height and under 130 kg in weight

Healing Experience while surrounded by nature with SUP under the blue sky

Beginners can also feel at ease as they can choose the SUP that best suits their Experience!
Beginners can also feel at ease as they can choose the SUP that best suits their Experience!

Stand-up paddleboarding, or "SUP," allows you to walk on the water while standing on a special board. In the "Blue Sky SUP Course," you can enjoy the beautiful ocean of Okinawa with blue skies and a horizon as far as the eye can see. Floating on the calm ocean with no waves, you can spend a relaxing time looking at the open landscape.

There is also the "Sunset SUP Course," where you can watch the bright red sunset of Okinawa from the top of your SUP. This activity does not require a great deal of strength, so it is sure to be a relaxing and healing time for your mind and body.

Snorkeling at popular snorkeling spots to see tropical fish

Enjoy the endless deep blue world
Enjoy the endless deep blue world

Premium Snorkeling" is a half-day boat snorkeling tour that includes two entries into the ocean. You can enjoy snorkeling at the "Blue Cave," one of the most popular caves in the prefecture, and "Ryugujo Point," which is home to many tropical fish, and you can even meet bear clams, which are very popular among children.

There are also tours available for children as young as 4 years old, so families with small children can also enjoy snorkeling. For those who are not good swimmers or are not confident in their physical strength, instructors will support you with a floatation device.

Murunushi
  • address (e.g. of house) Gala Blue Sea, 915 Aza Takashiho, Yomitan-mura, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction Approximately 55 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • Business Hours 8:00-20:00
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee Blue sky SUP course 8,000yen, Sunset SUP course 8,000yen, Snorkeling 4,900-11,000yen
  • TEL 098-958-3332
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Age Limit SUP 6 years old and up, Snorkeling 6 years old and up

Experience swimming in the air with the water pressure of the jet

The sight of jets shooting out from both feet and taking off is breathtaking!
The sight of jets shooting out from both feet and taking off is breathtaking!

This is a powerful Activity in which you attach water bike jets to your legs and float with the water pressure. Floating in the air with the power of the jets, you can enjoy the sensation of flying above the blue sky and ocean. The sight of the water splashing as you soar through the air is sure to be a hit on social networking sites.

If you can swim, you can experience this activity from the first grade of elementary school. Once you get used to it, you will be able to try acrobatic tricks such as spinning in the air as if you were flying in the sky.

View the blue ocean while soaring through the sky

The jet board can accommodate a group of up to 7 people at a time
The jet board can accommodate a group of up to 7 people at a time

Parasailing," in which participants float high into the sky using a special parachute to enjoy the sky and the sea, is also popular, and COCO MARINE offers a variety of courses to suit all levels of experience, from a 50-meter trial course to the longest and most thrilling 200-meter course in the prefecture. This Activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages, with participants ranging in age from 4 to 65 years old.

There is also a special package plan that includes parasailing as well as flyboarding, snorkeling, and SUP, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy all these activities and more.

COCO MARINE
  • address (e.g. of house) 4-4-1 Mashiki, Ginowan City, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction 30 minutes drive from Naha Airport
  • Business Hours 8:00-20:00
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee Fly boat 7,000 yen, parasailing trial course 50m 5,000 yen and up
  • TEL 098-917-0024
  • Parking 300 yen (1 day)
  • Age Limit Fly Boat 12 years old and up, Parasailing 4 years old and up

Whale sharks are close by! A spectacular sight not found in aquariums

A large window at the bottom of the boat allows you to enjoy the sight of the giant whale sharks.
A large window at the bottom of the boat allows you to enjoy the sight of the giant whale sharks.

This activity takes you to a whale shark spot on a "glass boat," which has a glass window at the bottom of the boat. The silhouette of a whale shark, said to be the largest species of fish, is a sight to behold. You can also see other fish such as humpback sharks, hawksbill eels, and swallow fish. Even those who are not good at swimming can enjoy the ocean of Okinawa with ease.

At the whale shark spot, you can enjoy a powerful feeding show by Staff/staff members up close through a glass window. A veteran captain will guide you, so you can enjoy the experience with peace of mind.

Snorkeling" with whale sharks up close

The whale shark feeding show on the
The whale shark feeding show on the "Whale Shark Glass Boat" is a spectacular spectacle!

Whale Shark Snorkeling" is also available, where you can enjoy snorkeling while watching whale sharks, which are well-known at Churaumi Aquarium, up close. Visitors can observe whale sharks in underwater cages at a distance of approximately 2 meters.

Experience is available for elementary school students and older, so it is a great way to create unforgettable memories of Okinawa with your family. You will be amazed at the overwhelming size of the ocean, which is beyond human understanding. Underwater cameras are available for rent, so you can take pictures of whale sharks up close.

Top Marine Zanba
  • address (e.g. of house) B1, Yomitan Fishery Cooperative Association, 33 Miyakoya, Yomitan-mura, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa MAP
  • Direction Approximately 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport
  • Hours of Operation 8:00-18:00
  • Closed Not available
  • Admission Fee Whale shark glass boat 12 years old and up 2,550 yen 6-11 years old 1,550 yen 0-5 years old 600 yen, Whale shark snorkeling 9,300 yen
  • TEL 098-956-0070
  • Age Limit Whale Shark Glass Boat 0 years old and up, Whale Shark Snorkel 6 years old and up
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.