Kerama Islands
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The Kerama Islands (慶良間諸島 Kerama-shotō) are a small archipelago in Okinawa, Japan, to the west of the main Okinawa Island.Historically, the Kerama Island group was a part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. For some 600 years, the islanders were employed as skillful navigators for the Kingdom’s trading vessels between Okinawa and China.
Islands
Kerama consists of six inhabited islands and twenty uninhabited ones.
Understand
Accessible in under an hour from Naha, the Kerama Islands are a popular getaway from the big-city bustle of the main island.
Get in
Ferries connect Naha to Tokashiki (35/70 min fast/slow ferry), Akajima (50/90 min) and Zamami (60/120 min). Kerama Airport on Fukaji, connected by bridge to Akajima, serves only charter flights.
Get around
Akajima and Zamami are served by the same ferry, but otherwise island-hopping will usually require a detour via Naha.
See
There are a number of beaches to snorkel from and lookouts around the island on peaks that are used to look for whales when they migrate through the area in the Spring. The 3 settlements on the island are diving tourist towns but have many building and remnants from WWII including a WWII museum with many original weapons and information from that period.
Do
Hire bicycles and cycle to one of the many viewing platforms throughout Zamami Island. The views of the turquoise sea and surrounding islets are well worth the demanding bike ride. Oki Rental at Ama Beach rents bikes and scooters. A bike hired there will cost ¥1,500 per day or ¥1,000 if you take the bike for three days or more. This is significantly cheaper than renting in Zamami Tow.
Furuzamami Beach has a small beach bar which rents parasols, sun-loungers and snorkeling gear. It is the only beach in Zamami with such facilities. The water of Furazamami Beach is crystal clear and coral and fishes are readily accessible.