Okinawa Blue Cave Diving Guide! Detailed Introduction to Itinerary/Transportation/Equipment/Precautions

Want to experience a dreamy underwater world? Scuba diving in Okinawa's Emerald Cave in Nago Village is a must! KINNSO provides detailed information about the blue cave diving trip, transportation, equipment and precautions, making it easy for both beginners and experts to enjoy. Collect this 2024 latest Blue Cave diving guide now and start planning your Okinawa trip!

The Blue Cave, also known as the Green Cave, is located in Maesato Cape, Nago City, Okinawa Island. It is a natural limestone cave formed over millennia by marine erosion. When sunlight shines into the water surface, the light refracts out a dreamy azure, illuminating the entire cave, beautiful to a breathtaking degree. This is where the name of the Blue Cave originates from. The entrance of the cave is about 8 meters wide, and at its widest point it reaches 30 meters, with a depth of about 35 meters. The water temperature inside the cave remains between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius year-round. Visibility reaches over 30 meters, coupled with colorful coral reefs and tropical fish, making it an excellent diving spot. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, you can experience unforgettable underwater wonders here.

The Blue Cave diving experience offers three different play styles, allowing you to choose the most suitable diving method based on your own experience, preferences and budget. It is recommended to wear a thermal suit to prevent hypothermia. For safety reasons, pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or asthma are not advised to participate. Children aged 6 to 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, while those aged 10 and above can participate independently.

Put on a life vest, flippers, and a mask with snorkel to float on the surface of the sea and admire the cave scenery through the water. Snorkeling doesn't require complicated equipment or professional skills, making it perfect for beginners. Many families also love snorkeling, suitable for all ages, easy and comfortable. A snorkeling session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, allowing you to experience the beauty of the caves with excellent value for money, making it one of the most popular activities.

Want to explore the underwater world up close? Then you must try scuba diving! Under the guidance of a professional instructor, you can learn basic skills in just 15 minutes, and you don't need a license to go underwater. Wearing scuba gear and carrying an oxygen tank, accompanied by your instructor throughout the dive, you will descend into the Blue Hole to about 15 meters deep, observing coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles and other marine life up close. Feel the tranquility and freedom of the seabed, and the vastness of the view is incomparable to snorkeling.

For those with a scuba diving certification, you can fully explore the depths of Blue Cave and surrounding dive sites! Under the guidance of an instructor, dive into the depths of the cave, weaving through colorful coral reefs and dancing with fish. Outside the cave, visibility ranges from 30 to 40 meters, with breathtakingly vibrant colors. You can also challenge nearby dive sites like Blue Cave No.2, Manzamo, and Zamami Island Navy Site, experiencing the diversity of Okinawa's waters. Scuba diving is subject to bringing your own equipment or renting it from a dive shop. Reservations are recommended to secure your spot. The experience duration varies depending on the itinerary, with half-day or full-day tours available. You can also enroll in an Open Water scuba diving course, obtain a certification, and then participate in recreational diving, killing two birds with one stone.

Besides the regular itinerary, many diving shops also offer exclusive yacht and night dive services, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious sea experience! Whether it's chartering a boat for a cruise or exploring after sunset, we guarantee that you will witness the different facets of the Blue Grotto. Now, let me introduce you in detail to these two top-tier experiences:

Want to escape the crowds and enjoy the most carefree sea experience? Consider chartering a private yacht to take you on a cruise around the Blue Grotto and surrounding waters. Board a luxurious yacht, bask in the sun on deck, admire the ocean views, then dive into the crystal-clear water for a leisurely swim. You'll feel right at home. Many diving shops offer yachts of various sizes, accommodating 4 to 30 people, perfect for private celebrations with friends and family. Many yachts also come equipped with amenities like WiFi, sound systems, and bars, allowing you to indulge in luxury. Choose the most suitable vessel based on your budget and group size. Half-day yacht tours are approximately 3 to 4 hours long, with two diving opportunities; full-day tours last 6 to 8 hours, offering three to four dives. The boat fare includes dive guide fees, equipment rentals, and drinks and snacks.

Want to challenge a brand new diving experience? Night diving in the Blue Grotto will definitely open your eyes! The grotto after sunset has a different flavor. The beam of the flashlight cuts through the dark seawater, illuminating the sleeping coral reefs at your feet, and the glowing bioluminescent creatures slowly appear, mysterious and dreamy, beautiful enough to take your breath away. For night diving, participants must have an Open Water diving license, and for safety reasons, a dive guide will accompany you throughout the process. When diving, please do not touch marine life to avoid affecting the ecological balance. In addition to general diving equipment, night diving also requires wearing waterproof flashlights. Most diving shops offer night diving tours, usually from 7 to 9 pm, and require advance registration. Believing that after experiencing it firsthand, you will be able to rediscover the charm of the Blue Grotto!

Located on the west coast of Okinawa Island, the Blue Cave is about a 1.5-hour drive from Naha Airport. Most tourists choose to stay at hotels in Nago Village and then take shuttle services from diving shops or drive there themselves. Here are several common transportation options:

1. Diving Shop Shuttle: Many diving shops offer pick-up and drop-off services for hotels in Naha City and Nago Village, which is the most convenient option. Prices vary depending on the diving shop and usually include the tour fee. It's recommended to confirm the pick-up time and location with the diving shop in advance.
2. Self-Driving: If you want to explore more attractions in Okinawa, consider renting a car. Starting from Naha City, take National Highway 58 towards Minatogawa and it will take about 1.5 hours to reach Nago Village. Booking online in advance is the most cost-effective option, while renting at the counter is more expensive.
3. Bus: Take bus number 120 or 20 from Naha Bus Terminal to Minatogawa Bus Terminal and transfer to buses number 65 or 66 to Maeda Station. It takes about a 5-minute walk to reach the Blue Cave. The one-way trip takes approximately 2.5 hours and costs 1000-1500 yen.
4. Private Car Hire: If you are traveling in a large group, hiring a private car is more economical. There are several private car companies in Okinawa, so you can choose the vehicle type according to your budget and needs. The one-way fare from Naha City to the Blue Cave is approximately 8000-15000 yen, depending on the vehicle type.