Zamami Island

The basics

For beach lovers, Zamami’s two must-visit bays are Furuzamami Beach (southeast) and Ama Beach (southwest). Both are linked to the port by buses. Furuzamami Beach has more facilities for visitors, while Ama Beach tends to be quieter and is known for its turtles. Other highlights include the viewpoints, which are scattered all around the coast. Many visitors rent bikes to reach them easily, or scooters to take the effort out of the hills.

Travelers staying on Okinawa’s main island can find several organized day-trips from Naha, which offer the chance to see other nearby islands, too. Kerama islands snorkel tours, diving, sea kayaking, and whale-watching experiences are among the options.

Things to know before you go

• There are plenty of accommodations on the island with hotels, guesthouses, and a campsite. Solitude seekers will be happy with a 2- or 3-night stay.

• Day-trippers from Naha will have around 3-4 hours to spend on the island, fitting in with the ferry timetables.

• Bring enough cash for your visit, as there is only one ATM on the island and many businesses don’t accept card payments.

• For an extra fee, bikes can be taken on the ferries.

• As is the case on many Okinawa islands, swimming is only allowed in marked areas. Bring swim shoes to cope with rougher coral sands.

• The island is well set up for visitors with transportation, water sports, and fishing equipment rentals. Pre-book vehicle rentals in the high season.

How to get there

Ferries run daily from Tomari Port in Naha on Okinawa’s main island. If you plan to visit the island for a day trip without a car, check times in advance and catch the high-speed, passenger-only Queen Zamami boat that zips you there in about 1 hour, instead of the 2-hour Ferry Zamami. Once there, you’ll find buses to the beaches plus options for bike, scooter, and car rentals.

When to get there

The island sees more visitors in the high season (between August and October) and the vacation of Golden Week, which typically falls at the end of April or in early May. Outside of these times, it rarely feels busy. If you visit in the colder winter months, ferry services are less frequent, and most tourist facilities—shops, restaurants, hotels, rentals—may be closed or keep reduced hours.

Island camping

Want to sleep under the stars on a tropical island? On Zamami, you can make that dream come true. There’s a campsite near Ama Beach that’s linked to the port by a 5-minute bus. You can rent tents and camping equipment such as sleeping bags and barbecue grills, and have use of a community kitchen and showers. There are even cabins to rent if you prefer a little more comfort.