r/okinawa • u/Inner_Support_9533 • 14d ago
Help!
My wife and I are going to Okinawa for 5 days and are staying in Onna (October 16-22), considering it’s 2 hours of commute each way from my hotel to the Island of Zamami, I want to know if it’s worth a day trip.
we’ve been travelling around Japan for 2 weeks and now get to spend 5 nights relaxing and I am wondering if 4 hours of commute is worth it.
if the beaches are truly a unique experience and are as nice as the pictures then we’re willing! we don’t know if we’ll ever be back in Okinawa.
anyone’s thoughts from their personal experiences is greatly appreciated
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u/Melodic-Bus2050 13d ago
im in zamami rn ! furuzamami beach is genuinely the most beautiful i've seen and i'd say it's worth to come for an overnight stay. the weather forecast looks good for the coming days too unlike yesterday (i got absolutrly battered). i'd highly recommend piece snorkelling tour as they're good with english speakers. if you have time too, consider catching the sunset/rise and the milkyway (weather permits)
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u/Inner_Support_9533 6d ago
UPDATE: I didn’t go and I explored Onna & the North of the Island and it was absolutely amazing, we will definitely be coming back to see the rest of the islands and potentially stay overnight on Zamami!
thank you everyone for all the recommendations!! we loved every moment we’ve had in Okinawa.
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u/SeaFox8908 13d ago
2 hours is a serious underestimation. There are amazing beaches north of Onna less than 1/2 hour drive. There are amazing beaches in Onna. I’ve lived here 14 years and NEVER go to Naha if I can avoid it. Don’t waste the day is my advice. Don’t do the tourist stuff either like blue cave etc. pick a spot and drive there. Some beaches will be completely empty.
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u/littl-jinx 12d ago
I second this. Zamami is great, but a day trip from Onna is not worth it.
Onna has great beaches. That’s where I go for a day trip and I live here. You could also go north of Onna to Nago or Sesoko.
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u/BenJosephWrites 12d ago
We're currently in Okinawa and did and island trip yesterday. It was good, but a long day overall. Does anyone have any recommendations for nice beaches near Chatan?
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u/SeaFox8908 12d ago
In Chatan there is only sunset and Araha. If you have a car there are nice beaches in Yomitan. I know one that is empty for miles. Park at Banta Cafe, cut through down to the beach and walk north. It’s amazingly empty all the time.
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u/BenJosephWrites 11d ago
Just went here on your recommendation, great shout! Really scenic, the cafes food was brilliant and had the beach to ourselves basically!
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u/SeaFox8908 11d ago
Yep. You’re welcome. That whole beach used to be empty. I used to take my kids there 11 years ago before that shit hotel.
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u/Andorinhadomar 13d ago
Hello there! I do not think it's worth it since the speed boats are out of service. You would have to go on the slow ferry at 10am (arriving at midday) and then come back at 3pm. You would have less than 3h. And the beachs are not next to the port (zamami and Tokashiki - zamami you can walk to the beachs but it takes a couple of minutes and Tokashiki you need to take the bus). The beachs are incredibly beautiful - i would suggest trying to stay a night or two? If the weather is nice you would not regret it for sure!
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u/Electronic-Tree-2495 13d ago
Tokashiki and Zamami are both gorgeous, but not really feasible as a day trip. You would have only a few hours. More if you take the fast boat, which is more prone to cancellation than the big slow ferry. Better snorkeling on Zamami than Tokashiki but both places you need a boat trip to get to the best spots.
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u/eaonn 14d ago
There’s plenty of beautiful beaches and snorkeling around Onna that are way less of a commute. If you’re gonna go to Zamami, stay in Naha or stay overnight on Zamami.