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If you have time for only one snorkel in the Kerama archipelago, head to Furuzamami Beach. Marine life is exceptionally abundant around the coral reef fringing the western side of the beach. It includes hundreds of green chromis hiding in branching coral, loads of anemonefish, gorgeous clown triggerfish and sea kraits. If you are spending one day on Zamami Island, you can easily combine your visit to Furuzamami Beach with a snorkel in Ama Beach, another snorkeling spot located about 2 miles from here and very famous for its sea turtles.

Update: a large part of Furuzamami coral reef is currently closed. The protected area is marked by buoys and a rope, and a supervisor on the beach ensures that snorkelers respect the regulations. We do not know whether this measure is temporary or not. In the meantime, know that large areas of the reef can no longer be snorkeled. Most of the pictures on this page have been taken outside the current authorized snorkeling area, before the actual regulations.

View on Furuzamami beach and reef
View on Furuzamami Beach. The coral can be seen through the surface (darker color).

How to get to Furuzamami Beach snorkeling spot?

Furuzamami Beach is located on Zamami Island, one of the most visited islands in the Kerama archipelago. Most tours to the islands depart from Naha, Okinawa’s capital city, which is the archipelago’s gateway.

Boats to the Kerama Islands, including tours to Zamami, leave from Tomari harbor, next to the city center. The closest monorail stop is Miebashi (美栄橋), a 10 minutes walk to the jetty. The express boat is the most convenient (a 50-minute ride to reach the island) but you might prefer the cheaper ferry (120 minutes).

To reach the beach from Zamami Island’s harbor, you can rent a bike (a 20-minute ride to the beach, following a steep road), a scooter or a car. Furuzamami Beach is well-signposted from the jetty.

Furuzamami Beach snorkeling map, Zamami Island
Snorkeling is no longer allowed on a large part of the reef (see area marked above). We don’t know if this restriction is temporary or not.

Water entrance for snorkeling Furuzamami Beach

Furuzamami is a large beach, but coral is found only at its western end. Walk on your right when facing the sea until you reach the rocky point at the end of the beach. Most of the snorkelers leave their belongings here and enter the water nearby.

Furuzamami Beach snorkeling tips and recommendations

The snorkeling area covers the coral reef fringing the western end of the beach. The reefs are not very extensive but absolutely vibrant, covered with healthy corals dropping off to a sandy seabed (12ft/4m).

Pink-skunk clownfish in Furuzamami, Okinawa
Large communities of pink-skunk anemonefish live at reef.

Furuzamami is a great location for clownfish spotting. Three species, out of the five living in Okinawa islands, can easily be seen here: the tomato clownfish, the Clark’s clownfish and the pink-skunk clownfish. There are so many sea anemones in the area that you simply can’t miss them.

Many other fish species are common at this location, including the blotched foxface, the clown triggerfish, as well as several species of bannerfish and butterflyfish.

Sea snake in Furuzamami, Okinawa
Blue-lipped sea kraits are a common sighting in Furuzamami.

Sea kraits are also very easy to spot at reef. You might see them hunting their favorite prey, moray eels, in and around crevices. They are not aggressive but don’t try to touch them.

Restaurants and accommodation near Furuzamami Beach

A kiosk set on the beach sells beverages and snacks. In Zamami village, about 1 mile from the beach, you will find a wider range of restaurants and accommodation.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth12ft/4m
  • Water entranceEasy, from a sandy beach
  • Potential DangersSea snakes
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes
  • Public toilets & showersNo

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.