Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, and Kayaking in Okinawa!!
with Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
Do you know that Okinawa is also known as the "Hawaii of the East"?
Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. Since the climate in Okinawa is subtropical, the average temperature is around 22 Celsius degrees. Even for Japanese, Okinawa is a popular travel spot in the country!
Because of Okinawa's climate is different from other parts of Japan, you can find unique local cuisines which are different from the Honshu of Japan (the main island of Japan).
Speaking of Okinawa, of course we can't miss the beautiful ocean and the water sports!!
In the ocean of Okinawa, you can see awesome views in the coral reefs, so Okinawa is a water sports heaven for everyone! Ready to have some fun in the ocean! Let's go!
Water Sports Heaven - OKINAWA
Where you can enjoy water sports in all seasons!
With the subtropical climate, the temperature in Okinawa is around 15 to 20 Celsius degrees even in winter! That's why you can enjoy water sports here at all time.
Today, we are going to scuba dive to the BLUE CAVE which is a famous and hot spot for divers to visit.
Just 5 meters underwater, you can see how beautiful the Okinawa ocean is!
The Best Shop for Those Who Want to Visit the Blue Cave
Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
Address: 950 Senaha, Yomitanson, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
(沖縄県中頭郡読谷村字瀬名波950)
Map Code: 1005 627 774
Access: About 60 minutes drive from Naha airport
Tel.: 098-958-2646
Hours: 08:00 - 22:00
Services and Fees
1) Snorkeling in Blue Cave
Reservation in advance: 5,200 yen
Walk-in: 6,000 yen
2) Scuba Diving in Blue Cave
Reservation in advance: 12,000 yen
Walk-in: 13,000 yen
3) ZANPA Sea Kayaking
Reservation in advance: 5,400 yen
Walk-in: 6,400 yen
4) Night Healing Snorkeling
Reservation in advance: 5,400 yen
Walk-in: 6,000 yen
You can make reservation by phone or email. (Up to 3 days before your experience)
English speaking staff is available.
Inquiries Tel.: +81-80-2730-7076
Email: contact@bluecavemarintour.com
Why do we highly recommend Marine Support TIDE ZANPA to you? That's because...
1. Private Pier
Usually for other water sports equipment company, they just share the pier and it is not too convenient for the divers to get ready. However, at Marine Support TIDE ZANPA, you don't have to worry about that because they got a private pier for you! Also, it is said that other companies usually cancel the reservations due to high waves, but with the private pier that Marine Support TIDE ZANPA owes, you can totally ward off your worries!
2. Female Friendly Facilities and Services
Worry about getting changed and showering after getting into the ocean?
At Marine Support TIDE ZANPA, they have a clean and neat changing room, shower area, and a dressing room for girls! A good news for the ladies, right?
3. Foreigners Friendly Services
Don't worry about the language. At Marine Support TIDE ZANPA, they have the forms and documents prepared in English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese for the foreigners. Also, English-speaking staff is available here to help you!
What is so special about scuba diving?
That is..........even you can't swim, you can still experience the underwater world! How amazing is that!!
For the scuba diving course, a certified professional coach will accompany you all the way, so even if you can't swim or you are not good at swimming, you can still experience scuba diving safely. We highly suggest all the beginners to take this course first.
Reservation in advance: 12,000 yen
Walk-in: 13,000 yen
You can make reservation by phone or email. (Up to 3 days before your experience)
English speaking staff is available.
Inquiries Tel.: +81-80-2730-7076
Email: contact@bluecavemarintour.com
Let' Go Scuba Diving!!
01. Meeting Point - At Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
Usually for other companies, guests are required to gather near the Blue Cave and get ready over there. However, Marine Support TIDE ZANPA does not require their guests to do so. Guests can just get themselves ready at the shop, and shuttles to the Blue Cave are provided too!
If you will go to Marine Support TIDE ZANPA by your own car, then you can just simply input the map code or the telephone number in the GPS system, then you can get to their shop easily!
Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
Address: 950 Senaha, Yomitanson, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
(沖縄県中頭郡読谷村字瀬名波950)
Map Code: 1005 627 774
Access: About 60 minutes drive from Naha airport
Tel.: 098-958-2646
02. Filling Out Forms
Before we get going, it is very important for us to get some instruction and information first. We also need to fill out a health statement; please note that for those who have respiratory disease or circulation disorders, you need to have a doctor's permission in order to go diving.
As we have mentioned earlier, you can find forms and documents in Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. Also, English-speaking staff is available here to help you!
*Waterproof Camera Rental
Free rental service is provided to those who join the Blue Cave scuba diving or the Blue Cave snorkeling programs (You can also upgrade to panorama camera by just adding 980 yen)
For those you join the other programs (sea kayaking and night healing snorkeling), you can also rent the waterproof camera at 2,000 yen.
*Free bath sets and towels
Bath sets and towers are provided to guests with no charge. However, you need to make a 500 yen deposit for the towel but it will be refunded after you return it.
03. Safety and Diving Instructions
After handing in the forms, next is to put on the diving suit! Next to the shop, you can find an area where you can try on the diving suit. After you are done, let's meet our professional coach! He is going to tell us 3 important things about scuba diving!
Three Important Things About Scuba Diving
1. Equalize underwater ear pressure
Once we dive into the sea, the pressure starts to change, and it will make our ears uncomfortable. In order to avoid this situation, we need to learn how to equalize our ear pressure underwater.
Actually it is very simple, just hold your nose and close your mouth, then try to exhale forcefully through your nose, that's the trick!
2. Clear water from the scuba dive mask
In case water gets into your scuba dive mask, you just need to press the upper part of the mask, then use your nose to breathe forcefully again, then you can get the water out easily.
In the water, you can only rely on your mouth to breathe, but don't worry, actually the technique is very simple and easy, just breathe slowly............
In addition to these three important things, our coach also explains to us what should we do if water gets in the diving regulator, and some simple gestures to communicate with each other under the sea.
04. Shuttle Service to the Pier
Blue Cave is located near Cape Maeda in Onna Village. Marine Support TIDE ZANPA will take you there for free! You can also get there by taxi or bus.
05. Get Ready and Let's Go!
After arriving at the pier, we need to get on the boat and get closer to the Blue Cave. Then, our coach and staff will help us to check all our equipment again. When everything is ready and set, you are ready to experience the underwater world!!
As we have mentioned above, Marine Support TIDE ZANPA has its own pier only for their guests!
06. Follow the Professional Coach
When you finish the simple warm up, take a deep breath and hold your mask, then get into the water slowly. When you are in the water, just like you are walking on the ground, move ahead slowly, then you will get used to the water very soon. Look what's ahead of you!
Scuba Diving Experience - The Blue Cave in Okinawa
Even you don't know how to swim, you can still experience scuba diving!
Of course it is easier to pick up the diving skills for those who know how to swim, but everyone can learn it quickly. Also, a professional coach accompanies you all the way!
The coach keeps showing you the gesture of "OK" to check if his students are totally fine. If you are fine, just show him the same gesture to tell him that you are "OK" too! If you are feeling uncomfortable somewhere, just point to that part, then your coach will decide to let you go up or keep on diving.
Amazing Time Inside The Blue Cave
Actually the light you can see under the water is the reflection of light from the surface of water. Just 5 meters below the surface, you can see this beautiful emerald-like color!!
Even you get used to the water, remember you still need to hold the coach's hand!
You will regret if you don't try scuba diving here!
Try to feed the fish around you! Can you find Nemo or Dori?
07. Showering and Getting Changed
After getting out from the sea, of course we need to wash away the salt on our hair and body. Please note that even the male and female shower rooms are separated, you still need to wear your swimming suit while taking your shower. Special shampoo is also provided.
At Marine Support TIDE ZANPA, individual changing room is prepared for their guests. For your valuable items, you can deposit them in the locker first. How nice their service is!
In the dressing room, you can take you time and beauty up yourself again.
Terrace at Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
You can take a rest and enjoy the sea breeze and sunset here. How about getting a drink or a shaved ice dessert to relax yourself.
Things that we can trust Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
The oxygen used in the diving tanks are produced by Marine Support TIDE ZANPA! Today we got this special chance to visit where they store the diving tanks. Actually it is very rare to find a shop which also provides its own oxygen.
This is where they fill up the diving tanks with oxygen. Actually many other shops recycles the diving tanks which is very dangerous because impure air may get in, and if you use a diving tanks which contains carbon dioxide or other impurities, it may lead to dizziness or headache etc.
All diving tanks are washed and cleaned after used here.
All kinds of equipment can also be found here. They have different sizes for both men and women, and monthly checkup and maintenance is guaranteed. For those who are short-sighted, special mask with different degrees are prepared for you to use.
Look at the collection of diving suits they have! Various style and sizes can be found. Not just the diving suits, the diving shoes are very important indeed. If you don't put on the diving shoes, there is a high chance you will get hurt in the coral reefs!! Also, these diving shoes can keep your feet warm too!
The fun of scuba diving can only be experienced by yourself!
Other Water Activities
01. Snorkeling
Snorkeling is another good way to experience the Okinawa's ocean. Actually you just need a set of simple equipment, then you can enjoy playing with the fish and the underwater world up to 5 meters below the surface of water. Of course you don't need to know how to swim or scuba dive to try snorkeling. You just need to put on your snorkel, life jacket and flippers, then you are ready to go!
Snorkeling in Blue Cave
Reservation in advance: 5,200 yen
Walk-in: 6,000 yen
You can make reservation by phone or email. (Up to 3 days before your experience)
English speaking staff is available.
Inquiries Tel.: +81-80-2730-7076
Email: contact@bluecavemarintour.com
02. Night Healing Snorkeling
Have you ever seen the sunset in the sea? How does it feel? We will let you find out the answer by yourself :)
Night Healing Snorkeling is a very special experience indeed. You can see red sky in sunset and the shining stars in the dark sky while floating in the sea. Don't worry about the darkness in the sea because coach will bring a light to light up for you!
Night Healing Snorkeling
Reservation in advance: 5,400 yen
Walk-in: 6,000 yen
You can make reservation by phone or email. (Up to 3 days before your experience)
English speaking staff is available.
Inquiries Tel.: +81-80-2730-7076
Email: contact@bluecavemarintour.com
03. ZANPA Sea Kayaking
ZANPA Sea Kayaking
Reservation in advance: 5,400 yen
Walk-in: 6,400 yen
You can make reservation by phone or email. (Up to 3 days before your experience)
English speaking staff is available.
Inquiries Tel.: +81-80-2730-7076
Email: contact@bluecavemarintour.com
How do you like our sharing this time? Next time we will show you other interesting and exciting water sports and activities in Okinawa! So don't miss it!
Marine Support TIDE ZANPA
Address: 950 Senaha, Yomitanson, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
(沖縄県中頭郡読谷村字瀬名波950)
Map Code: 1005 627 774
Access: About 60 minutes drive from Naha airport
Tel.: 098-958-2646
Hours: 08:00 - 22:00
Please also check out our previous sharing here:
# Travel ♪ Exploring the Okinawa Ocean with Marine Support TIDE ZANPA!!
This is a really informative knowledge, Thanks for posting this informative Information.
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