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Prepare your trip to Zamami Village
Zamami Village is a beautiful destination, but a little preparation goes a long way to make the most of your visit.
As a small island village, resources are limited, including ferry seats, accommodations, and availability for marine activities.
Travelers who arrive without prior planning often find that everything is fully booked, which can lead to disappointment. To ensure a relaxing and enjoyable experience, we really recommend to book in advance.
1－ Choose your season
Summer
Winter
Zamami Village is well known for its stunning blue waters in summer, but it also offers unique experiences in winter. From January to March, humpback whales migrate to the waters around the village’s islands and can be seen up close on whale watching tours.
The village also hosts special events throughout the year, attracting many visitors, including the Fan Appreciation Festival in November and the traditional Sabani Race.
2－ Choose your island
Zamami
Aka
Geruma
Zamami Village is made up of three inhabited islands: Zamami Island, Aka Island, and Geruma Island.
Zamami Island is the busiest of the three and is divided into three main areas.
Zamami Area is the most populated, with the highest concentration of restaurants and shops.
Ama Area, just a 15-minute walk from Zamami Area, is known for its beach where sea turtles can often be seen.
Asa Area is the most remote part of the island, where much of the natural landscape remains untouched.
Aka Island and Geruma Island are connected by a bridge and share a calm, laid-back atmosphere. These islands are also home to the famous Kerama deer, a unique and protected species.
All three islands can be explored during the same trip. The intra-village boat Mitsushima runs between Zamami Port and Aka Port 4 to 6 times a day, with each journey taking about 15 minutes.
3－ Book your boat trip
Queen Zamami
Ferry Zamami 3
Access to Zamami Village is typically done by one of two village-operated boats: the high-speed Queen Zamami or the Ferry Zamami 3. Advance booking is highly recommended, as seats can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
Click here for more information about how to get to Zamami Village.
4－ Book your accommodation
Inn
Hotel
Guesthouse
Campsite
While day trips to Zamami Village are possible, we highly recommend staying overnight to fully experience its charm — from breathtaking sunsets over the horizon, to the relaxed atmosphere of local izakayas, and the stunning star-filled night sky.
You can check the list of accommodations available in the village here.
Many accommodations in Zamami Village are not listed on major booking websites like Booking.com. If you can't find availability on these websites, we recommend browsing the list above and contacting the accommodations directly. In most cases, you’ll need to fill out a contact form on each property’s website to make a reservation.
Do not expect to find an accommodation once you get to Zamami Village.
5－ Book your activity
Marine Activities
Nature tours＊
Zamami offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including diving, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, and traditional sabani boat rides. Nature tours are also available, although currently offered only in Japanese.
In Zamami Village, individual swimming is limited to designated swimming areas at the three main beaches: Ama Beach and Furuzamami Beach on Zamami Island, and Nishibama Beach on Aka Island. If you'd like to swim outside these zones, you must join a guided tour led by a licensed guide.
You can check the list of activities offered in Zamami Village here.
For safety reasons, some activities shops may not accept non-Japanese speakers if their staff cannot communicate in English.
If you do not speak Japanese and wish to join a tour, please select the "English Speakers OK?" from the previous list.
6－ Prepare your suitcase
Swimsuit
Sun Protection
Cash
Medication
Zamami Village and its three islands are small and remote.
There are no convenience stores (konbini), and many everyday items may not be available. Please make sure to bring the following essentials with you.
Swimsuit: Swimsuits are rarely sold on the islands, and when they are, the selection of sizes and styles is very limited. Be sure to bring your own swimsuit.
Sun Protection: UV-protective clothing and hats are available in only limited quantities. Sunscreen is also sold in the village, but stock can be low. We highly recommend bringing your own reef-safe sunscreen to help protect marine life and coral.
Cash: Most shops in Zamami Village only accept cash. While ATMs are available on both Zamami and Aka Islands, they are not open at night and may be closed on certain days. There have been cases where visitors were unable to withdraw money due to card issues, leaving them no choice but to return to mainland Okinawa. Please note that currency exchange is not available on the islands.
Medication: If you are prone to seasickness, we strongly recommend bringing motion sickness medication for the ferry ride. For any other regular medications, be aware that the local clinic only carries basic supplies and is closed on weekends and public holidays. Be sure to bring all necessary medications with you.
7－ Respect the rules
Protect the nature
No swimsuit outside the beach
Take your trash home
Smoke in the
designated areas
Zamami Village has been home to islanders for centuries. It is a cherished community, not a resort island. The village has its own traditions and way of life, and we kindly ask all visitors to respect the local customs and rules.
Protect the nature: Do not step on corals — they are living organisms that take years to regenerate once damaged. Do not touch or chase sea turtles when you see them. Please observe them quietly from a distance.
No swimsuit outside the beach: Walking around the islands in just a swimsuit or without a top is considered disrespectful. The islands are residential areas, so please dress appropriately when leaving the beach.
Take Your Trash Home: Zamami Village has limited waste processing and recycling capacity. To help preserve the environment, please take your trash back with you when you leave.
Smoke Only in Designated Areas: Smoking while walking or outside of designated smoking areas is strictly prohibited. Please use the smoking zones.
8－ Be careful of the nature
Wildlife
Weather and sea conditions
Zamami Village is blessed with beautiful nature both on land and at sea — but visitors should be careful of certain things
On land and on sea, wildlife can be dangerous for human beings, let's remain careful. More details here.
Ferry services between Naha and Zamami Village may be cancelled due to strong winds or rough sea conditions. If you have a fixed travel schedule, please check the weather forecast and ferry status regularly to avoid unexpected delays.
9－ Enjoy Zamami Village
We are waiting for you!