Zamami and Aka Island are one of the best places to snorkel in Okinawa. Many who based in Naha for a couple of days would do day trips to Zamami Island to enjoy its beautiful beaches. The great news is getting to Zamami Island from Naha is easy. You can either take Ferry Zamami or Queen Zamami. You can also get to Zamami Island from Aharen Port (阿波連港) on Tokashiki Island. The island near Zamami Island is another ideal day trip destination from Naha.
Different Ways to Get to Zamami and Aka Island from Okinawa/Naha
- Ferry from Naha to Zamami and Aka Island: Prices, Schedule, Booking & Tips
- Getting Around Zamami and Aka Island: Buses, Bikes, and Feet
- Getting to Zamami and Aka Island from Naha's Tomarikō Ferry Wharf
- How to Get to Tomarikō Ferry Wharf (Tomarin)
- Getting to Zamami Island From Aharen Port
- Traveing Between Zamami and Aka Island
- Essential Things to Bring to the Kerama Islands
- Discover the Beautiful Beaches and Attractions on Zamami Island
Ferry from Naha to Zamami and Aka Island: Prices, Schedule, Booking & Tips
All ferries depart from Tomari Port (Tomarin) in Naha. We recommend booking at least 1 month in advance during peak season (July–August). The children ferry fare is approximately half of the adult fare.
| Route | Vessel Type | Duration | Adult Fare (Round Trip) | Best For |
| Naha ↔ Zamami/Aka | Queen Zamami (Fast) | 50–70 min | ¥7,510 | Maximizing time on the islands |
| Naha ↔ Zamami/Aka | Ferry Zamami (Slow) | 90–120 min | ¥5,510 | Budget travelers & scenic views |
| Zamami ↔ Aka | Queen Zamami (Fast) | 15 min | ¥400 | |
| Zamami ↔ Aka | Ferry Zamami (Slow) | 15 min | ¥,500 |
Important: The ferry schedule can change especially during ‘Golden Week’ (the end of April to the beginning of May) and Obon (mid-August). Refer to HERE for the latest timetable. The timetable up to two months in advance is available under the “各月の運航予定表” section.
Getting Around Zamami and Aka Island: Buses, Bikes, and Feet
Once you arrive at the port, you still need a plan to reach the best beaches. Here is the breakdown of how to navigate the islands without a car.
| Transport Type | Estimated Cost | Best For |
| Village Bus | ¥300 – ¥400 | Direct beach access |
| Bicycle Rental | ¥1,000 – ¥1,500 / day | Zamami & Aka exploration |
| Electric Bike | ¥2,500 – ¥3,000 / day | Reaching hilly observatories |
| Scooter Rental | ¥4,000 – ¥5,000 / day | Freedom to see the whole island |
How to Travel Between the Attractions on Zamami Island
Zamami is more “walkable” than Tokashiki, but wheels still help.
- Village Bus: Runs frequently between the Port, Furuzamami Beach, and Ama Beach. (Fare: ~¥300).
- Bicycle Rentals: Very popular. You can easily cycle to Furuzamami Beach in about 15 minutes. Note that the road to the observatories is still quite steep, so consider an electric assist bike.
- Walking: You can walk to Furuzamami Beach in about 20 minutes, but in the Okinawan heat, the bus or a bike is usually better!
How to Travel Between the Attractions on Aka Island
- Walking & Cycling: This is the best way to see Aka. The island is flat compared to the others. You can walk across the bridge to Geruma Island or bike to Nishibama Beach in 10 minutes.
- Kerama Deer: Keep an eye out! You will likely see the protected Kerama deer wandering near the roads and beaches on Aka.
Getting to Zamami and Aka Island from Naha’s Tomarikō Ferry Wharf
From Naha’s Tomarikō Ferry Wharf (泊港), you can take Ferry Zamami (フェリーざまみ) or High‑Speed Ferry Queen Zamami (高速船クイーンざまみ) to Zamami and Aka Island. Both ferries will make a brief stop at Aka Island (阿嘉島) first.
- Ferry Zamami only has one service per day at the point when this article is updated.
- It takes around 120 minutes from Naha to Zamami Island by Ferry Zamami.
- Ferry Zamami ferry ticket for adults costs
- One-way: 2,900 yen
- Return: 5,510 yen
- Ferry Zamami ferry ticket for children costs
- One-way: 1,450 yen
- Return: 2,760 yen
- Queen Zamami has more than one service per day at the point when this article is updated.
- It takes around 50 to 70 minutes from Naha to Zamami Island by Queen Zamami.
- The cost to board Queen Zamami for adults is
- One-way: 3,950 yen
- Return: 7,510 yen
- The cost to board Queen Zamami for children is
- One-way: 1,980 yen
- Return: 3,760 yen
- The number of passengers that the ferry can take is limited. A reservation is recommended, especially in the summer.
- You can board the ferry 30 minutes before departure time.
- Refer to HERE for Queen Zamami and Ferry Zamami’s timetable.
- Refer to the official website HERE for seat availability and the timetable of the ferries.
- For the ferry fare, refer to HERE and scroll down past the map.
Tips:
☛ A reservation is highly recommended in July and August. It can be made one month in advance by calling +81-98-868-4567. You can also make an online reservation HERE.
☛ Ferry Zamami is more suitable for those who suffer from motion sickness easily. The seats on the first floor are also better than the seats at the front of the ship on the second floor.
Important:
☛ Please board the ferry 10 minutes before departure time.
☛ Queen Zamami’s ferry terminal is not in front of Tomarikō Ferry Wharf (also known as Tomarin) but it is around a 10-minute walk northwest of Tomarin.
☛ If you have made an online reservation, remember to get your paper-based ticket at the ticket counter.
How to Get to Tomarikō Ferry Wharf (Tomarin)
You can take the Okinawa Urban Monorail, Yui Rail (ゆいレール), and get off at Miebashi Station (美栄橋駅).
Tomarikō Ferry Wharf is then around a 10-minute walk away from Miebashi Station.
Tip: if you plan on driving, it is best to park at the car parks at the block behind the Family Mart close to Queen Zamami’s ferry terminal. The car parks there are cheaper. However, arrive early if you plan to take the morning service around the rush hours.
Getting to Zamami Island From Aharen Port
If you have time to island hop, you don’t need to head back to Naha as you can visit Zamami Island from Tokashiki Island‘s Aharen Port, next to the island’s most popular beach, Aharen Beach!
- Zamami Island can be reached by a 35-minute boat ride from Aharen Port.
- The ferry that you need to take is called Mitsushima (みつしま).
- The one-way cost to board Mitsushima is 800 yen.
- The most up-to-date timetable is published on Zamami Village’s website HERE. You can translate it using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
Important: it is essential to make a booking if you want to board Mitsushima by calling +81-98-987-2614.
Traveing Between Zamami and Aka Island
You might have gathered that already. You can also visit Zamami Island from Aka Island and vice versa by taking either Ferry Zamami or Ferry Mitsushima.
The required time to travel between Zamami Island and Aka Island is 15 minutes. The cost is 500 yen for Queen Zamami and 400 yen for Ferry Zamami.
Important: Reservations cannot be made to travel between Zamami and Aka Port.
Essential Things to Bring to the Kerama Islands
A day trip to the Keramas requires a bit of planning since facilities can be sparse once you leave the main ports. Use this checklist to ensure you have a seamless experience.
- Swimwear & Quick-Dry Towel: Wear your swimsuit under your clothes to save time, as changing facilities at beaches like Aharen or Furuzamami can get crowded.
- Sun Protection: The Okinawan sun is intense. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and a rash guard.
- Snorkeling Gear: While rentals are available at major beaches (approx. 1,000 to 2,000 yen for a set), bringing your own mask and snorkel ensures a better fit and hygiene.
- Waterproof Bag & Phone Case: Essential for keeping your valuables dry during ferry rides and boat tours.
- Motion Sickness Medicine: The “Queen Zamami” and “Marine Liner” are fast catamarans that can get bumpy in open water. Take your medicine 30 minutes before boarding.
- Japanese Yen: Many small island shops, bus drivers, and rental stalls are cash only. There are very few ATMs on the islands.
- Offline Maps: While 4G/5G is generally good near the villages, download Google Maps for offline use to navigate hiking trails to observatories.
Discover the Beautiful Beaches and Attractions on Zamami Island
Aside from Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island is probably the next most-visited island amongst the islands in Kerama Island National Park. Why? Because one of the beaches on Zamami Island was given a two-star rating by the Michelin Green Guide Japan! In addition to the Kerama-Blue colored beaches where sea turtles linger, Zamami Island is another spot in the area where you can see humpback whales from January to March!
For more information, refer to our Zamami Island article!
