What is the Blue Cave on the Okinawa Main Island?
Blue Cave is located at Maeda Cape in Onna Village, about an hour’s drive from Naha Airport.
As the name suggests, the cave is known for its blue glow, making it one of the most popular tourist spots in Okinawa Prefecture.
What is the secret behind the blue glow of the Blue Cave?
It is said to be related to various factors created by nature.
When the sun’s rays hit the ocean, they are reflected and emit various kinds of light.
When the angle and the amount of light are within a specific range, it glows blue like a jewel.
This requires various conditions, such as the position of the sun and the size of the cave entrance, and is genuinely a product of chance.
Of course, that is not all.
The bottom of the Blue Cave is whitish calcareous sand, which makes it shine so beautifully.
The white sand is an essential element for reflecting sunlight more beautifully.
In addition to the bright blue color, the sea is home to many unique Okinawan tropical fish, such as the Pygmy sweeper and Copper sweeper.
The inside of the blue cave is enchantingly fantastic.
It is so beautiful that you should ask your guide to take some pictures!
How to get to the Blue Cave
Beach Entry
Maeda Cape has a stairway down to the ocean, from where you can enter the sea and swim to the blue cave.
Maeda Cape is equipped with changing rooms and shower rooms for your convenience.
For Diving, you must carry your equipment to the entry spot, which may be quite a pain for those not physically strong.
Boat Entry
For boat entry, a small boat will take you directly from a nearby port to the entrance of the Blue Cave.
This gives you the feeling of a cruise and allows you to conserve your energy for the central part of the tour since you do not have to carry any equipment.
However, the tour fee is higher because of the boat ride, and the tour time may take longer.
Activities to enjoy on the Blue Cave Tour on Okinawa’s Main Island
Snorkeling
First of all, snorkeling is an activity that must be noticed. Snorkeling is the most popular activity in the Blue Cave on the main island of Okinawa. The most significant advantage of snorkeling is that it is easy to enjoy. There is little equipment to wear and little skill required. It is also considerably less expensive than Diving. Also, there is significantly less danger because you swim near the ocean’s surface rather than in deep water. Because it is easy for anyone to experience, it is a popular activity for people traveling with children and families.
Introductory Diving
The next most popular activity is diving.
Diving has an image of requiring a license, but in the case of Introductory Diving, you can participate even without a permit.
Diving is a must to enjoy the ocean to the fullest, allowing you to see the undersea topography and tropical fish up close.
What to Wear, What to Bring, and What to Rent on the Okinawa Main Island Blue Cave Tour
What to wear on the Blue Cave Tour on Okinawa Main Island
| Summer | swimsuit, sandals, rash guard, leggings, etc. |
| Winter | swimsuit (worn inside a wetsuit), sandals, rash guard, leggings, thick clothes that can get wet (clothes that can be worn during the trip) |
What to bring on the Okinawa Main Island Blue Cave Tour
| Things to bring | sunscreen, sunglasses, drink, towel, change of clothes, anti-sickness medicine (only if necessary) |
Rental equipment for the Blue Cave Tour on Okinawa Main Island
| Rental equipment | snorkel mask, fins, life jackets, diving glasses (for children), floats (for children), wet suits (winter only), etc. |
Rental items vary depending on the tour content, but basically, you can rent a complete set of equipment necessary for the tour so that you can participate without anything.
