From Naha Scuba Diving Trip in Kerama(for certified divers)

Kerama’s clear water is the star here. From Naha, you ride a speedboat into Kerama National Park for two boat-based scuba sessions, with the chance to add a third. Turtles, colorful reef fish, small caves, and even reef sharks have appeared for guests on past outings.

I like the four-person group limit, which keeps the pace calm and gives your guide time to watch each diver. I also like the practical package: hotel pickup, equipment, insurance, an English-speaking guide, and underwater photos are included. The main catch is the early start, plus the fact that lunch, drinks, and a dive computer cost extra.

Kerama National Park in a small group

• Two boat sessions are included, with a third available for ¥5,500 in cash.
• Groups are limited to four participants, a useful size for safety and personal attention.
• Ryuta, Yun, and Utah have led recent trips, with English and Japanese support available.
• Underwater photos and videos are sent after the outing at no extra charge.
• Pickup and drop-off are available in selected parts of Naha, Urasoe, and Ginowan.
• Certified divers only can join, and you need to bring proof of certification.

An early start from Naha

The day begins around 6:45 AM, when the SEAKERS vehicle collects you outside your accommodation. This is convenient, but do not treat the pickup time casually. If you are not at the meeting point when scheduled, you can be marked as a no-show.

Pickup is offered in Naha, Urasoe, and parts of Ginowan. Naha’s Akamine and Shuri areas are excluded, while the Ginowan service is limited to Laguna Garden Hotel, Okinawa Prince Hotel, Moon Ocean Ginowan Hotel and Residence, and listed locations. Give exact accommodation details when you book, especially if you are staying in an Airbnb.

The transport service has received perfect marks for reliability, which matters when you are carrying equipment and trying to reach a boat on time. You should wait outside the accommodation entrance rather than inside the lobby unless the operator tells you otherwise.

At about 7:00 AM, you receive the boat briefing and assemble your scuba equipment. This is where you get the day’s safety instructions, learn how the boat operates, and check your gear before leaving port. The briefing is offered in English or Japanese, and the guides are used to working with international customers.

One hour by speedboat to the islands

The boat leaves at about 7:45 AM. The trip to the Kerama Islands takes roughly an hour, followed by the first underwater session around 9:00 AM.

The ride is part of the appeal, but it is also the portion most likely to test anyone prone to seasickness. The activity specifically excludes people who are prone to seasickness, and that warning deserves attention. If boat travel usually leaves you uncomfortable, this may not be the right outing for you.

Large luggage is not allowed. Bring only what you need for the day: a change of clothes, towel, flip-flops, food, drinks, and your certification. A towel is not provided, and lunch is not included, so pack food before pickup. The boat ride is not a restaurant stop.

The exact sites depend on conditions and the day’s plan. Recent outings have included Nosaki, Doma, and Kameku, with different locations used for separate sessions. This variety gives you more than one view of the Kerama reefs rather than repeating a single site.

What the underwater sessions are like

The first two sessions take place inside Kerama National Park. The standard program includes two boat sessions, each allowing time to explore the reef with your guide. The water is known for high visibility, and past outings have featured sea turtles, fluorescent fish, reef sharks, schools of small fish, coral formations, and small caves.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Marine life is never guaranteed, and weather or water conditions can change the plan. Still, the setting gives you a strong chance to see the clear water and reef life that make Kerama one of Okinawa’s best-known scuba areas.

I like that the outing is aimed at certified divers rather than beginners trying to learn in a rushed setting. You arrive with basic training, while the guide handles site briefing, group supervision, and local conditions. The small group helps here. With no more than four participants, the guide can pay closer attention to your comfort, air use, and pace.

Recent guide names include Ryuta, Yun, and Utah, though the spelling of Utah’s name has been recorded in different ways. Ryuta has been praised for careful explanations, patience, and a relaxed manner. Yun’s English has been described as understandable, and she has led the boat routine in a clear, organized way. These details matter if you want help without feeling hurried.

The included underwater photography is another real benefit. Your guide takes photos and videos during the outing, then sends them afterward. That saves you from having to bring your own camera and lets you focus on buoyancy, marine life, and your buddy. The quality and number of images can vary, but the feature adds useful value to the price.

Lunch on the boat, then an optional third session

After the first two sessions, you have about an hour for lunch on the boat. Food is not supplied, so bring a packed meal and drinks. This is a simple arrangement, but it is worth planning for because you will have spent the morning active and out on the water.

At about 12:30 PM, you can pay for a third session. It costs ¥5,500 in cash. Many certified divers choose it because the boat is already at the islands and the extra time gives you another chance to see a different site. Others may prefer to rest, eat, and enjoy the ride without adding another underwater outing.

The optional session is especially useful if you have made the trip to Okinawa mainly for scuba. It is less attractive if you have limited stamina, are managing seasickness, or want a shorter day. The choice is yours, which makes the schedule more flexible than a fixed three-session program.

A dive computer is also optional. It costs ¥1,500 in cash, or the operator may provide one free in exchange for a positive review. I would treat this as a personal equipment choice rather than assume it is included. If you normally use a computer, ask about availability before the boat leaves.

Equipment, wetsuits, and comfort

Full scuba equipment rental is included, which keeps the headline price from growing quickly. You still need to bring your certification, and you should tell the operator your equipment needs when completing the booking information.

One useful fit tip comes from a wetsuit problem reported on a recent outing: a rented suit was too tight across the chest and could not be fully zipped. The warm water made it manageable, but you should request a larger size if you have concerns about fit, especially around the bust or shoulders. A poor wetsuit fit can distract you all morning.

The guides handle the standard boat and equipment routine, but you remain responsible for speaking up. Tell them if a mask leaks, a suit feels restrictive, or you need help with any part of your equipment. A small group makes those conversations easier.

Insurance is included. That does not replace your normal responsibility to disclose relevant medical issues or follow the operator’s safety instructions. The operator lists heart problems, epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney problems, recent surgery, and low fitness among conditions that may make the activity unsuitable.

Children under 12, pregnant women, non-swimmers, wheelchair users, and uncertified divers cannot join. The operator also lists people over 60 as unsuitable, so older participants should check directly before booking rather than assume they qualify. The lactose intolerance restriction is also listed, although lunch is not supplied, so ask the operator if that condition affects your participation.

How the price compares

The listed price is $206 per person for an eight-hour day. That is not a budget activity, but the package includes several costs that can add up elsewhere: round-trip boat transport, two boat sessions, full equipment rental, an instructor, insurance, hotel pickup and drop-off, and underwater photos.

The price makes the most sense if you want the Kerama Islands specifically and do not already own equipment. You also avoid arranging separate transport to the port, which is useful in Naha when you are unfamiliar with the departure area.

The value is less clear if you want only one short underwater session or already have your own boat access and equipment. The optional third session adds ¥5,500, and the dive computer adds ¥1,500 unless the operator’s review-related offer applies. Lunch and drinks are your responsibility too, though those are easy costs to control with a supermarket stop the night before.

For a full day on the water with a very small group, the package is fairly easy to justify. Just compare the included items rather than the base price alone.

Weather changes and a practical cancellation policy

Okinawa’s sea conditions can change. If bad weather cancels the planned boat trip or makes a site unsuitable, SEAKERS may arrange another site at no extra cost. If no suitable alternative is available, you receive a full refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These terms are useful for a water-based activity, where conditions are outside anyone’s control.

The boat schedule is a guide rather than a guarantee. The normal return to port is around 2:30 PM, with drop-off near 3:30 PM, but timing can shift. Do not schedule a tight evening flight, train, or important reservation immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits a certified diver who wants a full day around Kerama without renting a car, finding a port, or organizing equipment. It is especially good for solo participants or pairs who prefer a small group and want English support.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable on a boat, physically ready for two sessions, and happy to spend most of the day outdoors. The optional third session is a nice choice for someone eager to maximize time underwater.

It is not a good match for a beginner, non-swimmer, or anyone who dislikes early starts and open-water boat rides. You should also think twice if you need a guaranteed lunch, have medical conditions that affect scuba participation, or feel uneasy about the listed age and health restrictions.

Should you book the Kerama scuba trip?

Book it if your Okinawa plans include serious time underwater and you value a four-person group, English guidance, included equipment, and free photos. The strongest reasons are the clear Kerama water, the chance to visit several sites, and the personal attention available from guides such as Ryuta and Yun.

Skip it if you want a casual water activity, dislike boat travel, or are not certified. Before booking, confirm your pickup location, request the right wetsuit size, pack lunch and drinks, and decide if you want the third session. With those details sorted, this is a well-organized way to reach Kerama National Park from Naha.

FAQ

Do I need a scuba certification?

Yes. Every participant must hold a valid scuba certification from a recognized organization. Beginners and divers without certification cannot join.

How many scuba sessions are included?

The price includes two boat sessions in Kerama National Park. A third session is optional and costs ¥5,500 in cash.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included in selected areas of Naha, Urasoe, and Ginowan. Naha’s Akamine and Shuri areas are excluded. In Ginowan, service is limited to Laguna Garden Hotel, Okinawa Prince Hotel, Moon Ocean Ginowan Hotel and Residence, and listed locations.

Is lunch included?

No. Bring a packed lunch, food, and drinks. You should also bring a towel, change of clothes, and flip-flops.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Full scuba equipment rental is included. A dive computer is an extra ¥1,500 in cash, unless the operator provides one under its positive-review offer.

What happens if bad weather cancels the boat trip?

SEAKERS may arrange an alternative site at no extra cost. If no suitable alternative is available, you receive a full refund.