When planning a trip to Okinawa, you may find yourself wondering:
“Which day should I plan for snorkeling or diving?”
“Can I join a tour on the day I arrive?”
“Is it OK to go on the last day?”
These are common questions.
As a general guide, plan snorkeling for the middle of your trip, and schedule scuba diving with enough time before your flight home.
Tours may be canceled due to weather or sea conditions, so booking for the early or middle part of your trip gives you more flexibility to adjust your plans.
Plan Snorkeling for Day 2 or Day 3
For snorkeling, we recommend booking for the day after you arrive in Okinawa or later.
For example, on a four-day, three-night trip, you could plan:
- Day 1: Arrive in Okinawa and explore
- Day 2: Go snorkeling
- Day 3: Sightseeing and shopping
- Day 4: Travel home
Flights can be delayed, and travel can be more tiring than you expect.
Taking it easy on your arrival day lets you rest before enjoying the ocean the next day.
Snorkeling on your last day is possible, but fitting in time to change, travel to the airport, and catch your flight can make the day feel rushed.
For a more relaxed schedule, plan snorkeling for the middle of your trip.
Allow Enough Time Between Scuba Diving and Flying
Scuba diving has an important scheduling consideration that doesn’t apply to snorkeling.
You cannot fly immediately after scuba diving.
Nitrogen from the air you breathe underwater remains in your body after a dive, so you need to allow a waiting period before flying.
When planning a diving trip in Okinawa, we recommend scheduling your dives at least two days before your departure day.
For example, on a four-day, three-night trip:
- Day 1: Arrive in Okinawa
- Day 2: Discover Scuba Diving or Fun Diving
- Day 3: Sightseeing
- Day 4: Fly home
This leaves a full day between your diving day and your flight home.
The required waiting period can vary, especially if you do multiple dives. Let your tour operator know your return flight time when booking so they can help you plan.
Why Book Your Ocean Activities Early in the Trip?
Snorkeling and diving tours may be canceled because of wind or waves, even when the weather looks good.
If you book only for your last day, you won’t have another day available if the tour is canceled.
Booking earlier in your trip, such as on Day 2, may give you the option to reschedule.
For example, if sea conditions are poor that day, you may be able to move your tour to the following day.
If snorkeling or seeing the waters of Kerama is a priority for your Okinawa trip, book for the early part of your stay.
Should You Choose a Morning or Afternoon Tour?
Think about your other travel plans when choosing a tour time.
For example, you could go snorkeling in the morning, then explore Kokusai Street or the area around Shuri Castle in the afternoon.
On the other hand, an afternoon tour may suit you better if you’re thinking:
“I’d like a relaxed morning at the hotel.”
“I want to go sightseeing by rental car in the morning.”
A half-day ocean tour leaves room for sightseeing and meals, so you can enjoy several parts of Okinawa in one day.
Staying in Naha Makes It Easy to Fit in a Tour
If you’re staying in Naha, it’s easy to include snorkeling or diving in your itinerary.
Okinawa Aquamarine’s tours depart from Naha, so you can combine your time on the water with sightseeing or a meal in the city before or afterward.
Our tours are also a good option if you’d like to spend just half a day enjoying the ocean during your Okinawa trip.
A Sample Four-Day, Three-Night Itinerary
Here’s one way to plan a four-day, three-night stay.
Day 1
Arrive in Okinawa
Check in at your hotel
Explore Naha, including Kokusai Street
Day 2
Go snorkeling or diving in Kerama
Enjoy lunch and sightseeing in Naha afterward
Day 3
Explore Okinawa’s main island by rental car
Visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium or other sights in northern Okinawa
Day 4
Shop for souvenirs
Fly home from Naha Airport
Planning your ocean tour for Day 2 may leave room to move it to Day 3 if weather conditions require a change. If you’re diving, any change must still allow enough time before your flight.
Leave Some Breathing Room, Especially for Your First Trip
When visiting Okinawa, it’s tempting to think:
“I’m here, so I want to see as much as possible.”
That can quickly lead to a packed itinerary.
But snorkeling and diving can take more energy than you expect.
You may feel tired or sleepy after getting out of the water, so keep your plans afterward flexible and relaxed.
This is especially helpful for families with young children and anyone who doesn’t exercise regularly.
Final Tips: Plan Ocean Activities for the Early or Middle Part of Your Trip
For snorkeling or diving in Okinawa, we recommend booking for the early or middle part of your trip, such as Day 2.
Snorkeling offers more scheduling flexibility, while scuba diving requires you to allow enough time before flying.
Leaving room in your itinerary also gives you more options if sea conditions lead to a cancellation or schedule change.
At Okinawa Aquamarine, we can help you choose a suitable tour based on your travel schedule and your group’s ages and experience.
“Which day should we book?”
“How can we fit a tour into our family trip?”
If you have questions like these, please feel free to contact us.