Swim with Sea Turtles
in the Kerama Islands
88% Sea Turtle Sighting Rate in 2025
Beginner-Friendly with Instructor Support
Swim with Sea Turtles
in the Kerama Islands
88% Sea Turtle Sighting Rate in 2025
Beginner-Friendly with Instructor Support
Okinawa Aquamarine’s Kerama Sea Turtle Snorkeling tour departs from Naha, Okinawa, and takes you to the waters of Chibishi in the Kerama Islands, around 20–30 minutes away by boat.
In 2025, we spotted sea turtles on 140 of 159 sea turtle snorkeling tours, a sighting rate of approximately 88%. Beginners and families are welcome, with instructors nearby to support you in the water.
Based on years of guiding in the Kerama area, we choose snorkeling sites according to the day’s sea conditions and currents. Sea turtles are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Three Highlights of Kerama Sea Turtle Snorkeling
1. 88% Sea Turtle Sighting Rate in 2025
Sea turtles are wild animals, so we cannot guarantee a sighting on every tour.
We assess sea conditions and currents each day to choose sites where sea turtles are more likely to be found.
In 2025, Okinawa Aquamarine recorded sea turtle sightings on 140 of 159 tours, approximately 88%.
2. Sea Turtle Sites Chosen Based on Years of Experience
As well as well-known snorkeling spots, we visit sea turtle sites selected based on our years of guiding tours around the Kerama Islands.
We do not use the same site every day. We choose our destinations according to the wind, waves, and currents.
Please note: Sea turtles live freely in the ocean. We visit sites where sightings are likely, but you may not see a turtle depending on sea conditions and where the turtles are that day.
3. Support for First-Time Snorkelers
First-time snorkelers and guests who are not confident swimmers are welcome.
Before entering the water, we explain how to use your mask and snorkel. In the water, an instructor stays nearby to guide and support you.
Who Is This Tour For?
- Anyone who wants to swim with sea turtles in Okinawa
- First-time snorkelers
- People who are not confident swimmers
- Families looking for an ocean activity to enjoy together
- Couples and friends who want to experience the clear blue waters of Kerama
How It Compares with Kerama Blue Snorkeling
Okinawa Aquamarine offers two Kerama snorkeling tours.
Kerama Sea Turtle Snorkeling includes an additional visit to a site where we are more likely to encounter sea turtles.
| Kerama Blue Snorkeling | Kerama Sea Turtle Snorkeling | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Enjoy coral, tropical fish, and the clear waters of Kerama | Enjoy coral, tropical fish, and clear waters, plus a visit to a site where sea turtles are often seen |
| Sites | We choose sites for coral and fish viewing according to sea conditions | We visit sites where sea turtles are often seen, based on years of experience in the Kerama area |
| Best For | Beginners and families who want to enjoy the waters of Kerama Visitors looking for a more affordable snorkeling option |
Visitors who want to see sea turtles in Okinawa |
| Duration (Half-Day) |
Approx. 3 hours | Approx. 3 hours |
Tour Prices
Half-Day Trip: 3 hours
| Category | Regular | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (13–59) | 8,800 JPY | 9,800 JPY |
| Children (4–12) | 7,800 JPY | 8,800 JPY |
| Seniors (60+) | 11,800 JPY | 12,800 JPY |
Full-Day Trip: 5 hours
| Category | Regular | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (13–59) | 12,800 JPY | 14,800 JPY |
| Children (4–12) | 11,800 JPY | 13,800 JPY |
| Seniors (60+) | 15,800 JPY | 17,800 JPY |
Optional Extras
- Wetsuit rental: 1,000 JPY when reserved in advance / 1,500 JPY when requested on the day
- GoPro rental: 4,000 JPY
All prices are in Japanese yen (JPY) and include tax.
The full-day tour combines Kerama Blue Snorkeling and Kerama Sea Turtle Snorkeling.
Age categories are based on your age on the day of the tour.
For guests aged 60 and over, the senior rate includes small-group support and is 3,000 JPY higher than the adult rate.
Peak-season tours fill up quickly. We recommend booking at least one month in advance.
What Is Included?
Boat trip
Snorkeling guide
Snorkeling equipment
(mask, snorkel, and fins)
Life jacket
Insurance
What to Bring
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Food and drinks
- Change of clothes
- Sunscreen
- Motion sickness medication, if you are prone to seasickness
Participation Requirements
Guests must be aged 4 or older.
Guests ages 60 and over who will snorkel must provide a medical certificate confirming fitness to snorkel. We have no fixed upper age limit, but participation may be declined depending on your health or the day’s sea conditions.
For details, see Information for Guests Ages 60+.
Please contact us before booking if you have a medical condition, take medication, or have previously had a serious illness or surgery.
First Time Snorkeling? We Are Here to Help
“I have never snorkeled before.”
“I am not a confident swimmer.”
“I feel nervous in water where I cannot stand.”
You can join us even if any of these sound familiar.
Before entering the water, we clearly explain how to use your mask and snorkel, how to breathe, and how to move comfortably in the water.
In the water, an instructor stays nearby to guide you and check how you are doing.
Life jackets or high-buoyancy wetsuits help keep you afloat while you enjoy snorkeling.
Your Tour Itinerary (Half-Day Tour)
Check in at the meeting point. We will ask about your health and how you are feeling that day.
We’ll also make sure your equipment fits properly.
Once everyone is ready, we set off by boat toward Kerama.
We head to our snorkeling sites after assessing the day’s sea conditions.
We reach the first site around 20–30 minutes after departure. Before entering the water, we explain how to use the equipment, how to breathe, and the safety guidelines.
Our explanations are easy to follow, even if this is your first time snorkeling.
Enter the water with your instructor.
Swim in the clear waters and observe coral and colorful tropical fish.
After snorkeling, we return to Naha by boat.
You can freshen up with a shower on board and review your photos.
After arriving back at port, change your clothes and get ready to leave.
Full-day tour: Meet at 9:30 AM. The tour runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for personal reasons, the following cancellation fees apply as a percentage of the tour price:
- 15+ days before the tour: 0%
- 8–14 days before the tour: 30%
- 4–7 days before the tour: 50%
- 2–3 days before the tour: 70%
- The day before the tour: 80%
- On the day of the tour: 100%
No cancellation fee applies if we cancel the tour because of bad weather.
Responsible Sea Turtle Watching
Follow your guide’s instructions and keep a respectful distance to avoid startling the turtles.
- Do not touch sea turtles
- Do not chase them or block their path
- Do not feed them
- Do not stand on coral
Let’s observe sea turtles in their natural habitat while protecting them and the marine environment.
Sea Turtle Snorkeling FAQs
Are sea turtle sightings guaranteed?
No. Sea turtles are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Okinawa Aquamarine selects sites based on sea conditions and our experience. In 2025, we spotted sea turtles on 140 of 159 sea turtle snorkeling tours, approximately 88%.
Can I join if I have never snorkeled before?
Yes.
Before entering the water, we explain how to use the equipment and how to breathe through your snorkel.
An instructor stays nearby to support you in the water, so first-time snorkelers are welcome.
Can I join if I cannot swim?
Guests who are not confident swimmers can also join.
We use life jackets or high-buoyancy wetsuits to help keep you afloat while we guide you.
Can I touch the sea turtles?
No. We do not touch or chase sea turtles.
We watch them from a respectful distance as they move freely in their natural habitat.
Can children join?
Please check the participation requirements for your chosen tour.
Children aged 4 and over can join.
For families, we take children’s ages and swimming experience into account when guiding the tour.
Can guests aged 60 and over join?
Yes.
We will review your health before confirming participation.
Guests aged 60 and over must provide a medical certificate from a doctor.
Do tours run in the rain?
Tours may run in the rain if the wind, waves, and other sea conditions allow us to operate safely.
Conversely, we may cancel even on a sunny day if strong winds or waves make conditions unsafe.
Make Memories Swimming with Sea Turtles in Kerama
We love seeing our guests smile when they spot a sea turtle. We hope your time with us becomes a favorite memory of your trip to Okinawa.
If you’re new to snorkeling or don’t feel confident in the water, please let us know about any concerns. Our team will take things at your pace and support you along the way.
We look forward to exploring the waters of Kerama with you and seeing what sea turtles we can find together.
Makoto Sone
Head of Okinawa Aquamarine