Kerama Islands National Park: coral reefs and crystal clear water

The islands were designated a national park on March 5, 2014 because of their outstanding scenic beauty, and the Japan Tourism Agency describes the park as a group of more than 30 islands about 40 kilometers west of Naha.^1,7 Japan's tourism board numbers it as the 31st national park of the country.⁸ The park was designated as a maritime park, and the sea accounts for the majority of its area.⁹

The numbers show how much of it is water, and they are worth a moment because they change how a visit works. The park covers around 94,000 hectares, of which 3,520 hectares are land and the remaining 90,475 are ocean.² Of the islands, just four (Tokashiki, Zamami, Aka and Geruma) are inhabited.¹⁰ The rest are small, uninhabited islets and rock reefs, many of them visible only from the water, which is why a boat is the usual way to see them.¹¹

Because the park is mostly ocean, it asks something different of visitors than a forest park would. You will not hike for days; you will swim, dive, sail or watch from a lookout. The nature and information centers in the park have the latest safety advisories, weather conditions, tour options and trail and area maps, so stop at one when you arrive.¹² Ask there about anything you are unsure of before you get in the water.

The 248 kinds of coral around the Kerama Islands include table, branch and horned reef-producing corals, and their forms create an otherworldly seascape.³ Visit Okinawa puts it another way: more than 200 of the 400 species of coral in Japan can be found around the reefs of the Kerama Islands.²⁴ These figures come from different sources and measure different things, so treat them as signs of richness rather than a precise count.

The reefs provide food and habitats for colorful tropical fish including damselfish and butterfly fish.¹⁹ Sea turtles lay their eggs on the islands' beaches, and hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles nest around the group.^22,25 Healthy coral means more places for these animals to feed and shelter, which is why reef-safe habits matter even for a single afternoon of snorkeling. A reef that is stepped on, kicked or crowded takes far longer to recover than it takes to damage.

Around one tenth of the ocean area is a registered Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention, which is the international treaty for important wetlands.⁴ The park also offers around 100 diving spots, and you can snorkel off the beaches to see the marine life up close.¹⁷ Our diving page lists the sites and the levels, and our turtle page explains how to watch the animals without disturbing them.

The park's own message is plain: treat the natural environment and the animals who live in it with the care and respect they deserve.⁶ Some rules are specific. If you spot a sea turtle, do not approach it or chase it, and protect its safety and habitat by watching from a distance.²⁶ At Nishibama, diving is regulated to conserve the coral community, so follow your operator's briefing.²¹

Divers are asked to keep neutral buoyancy at shallow reef sites to avoid accidentally banging into the coral.²⁷ Snorkelers can do the same by floating flat, keeping their fins high and never standing on the reef, because coral is alive and a single step can break decades of growth. A life jacket and snorkeling gear are all you need to explore the reefs at Furuzamami, Ama and Nishibama, and the jacket helps you stay on the surface without kicking.²⁸

Think about what you bring into the water. A rash vest cuts the amount of sunscreen you need, rubbish goes back to the port with you, and shells, coral and sand stay where they are. Do not feed fish or any other animal. These are common-sense habits for any marine park, and the staff at the information centers can confirm any local rule you are unsure about before you enter the water.