Tokashiki Island

Naha · Kerama Islands, Okinawa · Japan

Tokashiki Island is the largest of the Kerama Islands, a stunning archipelago approximately 35 kilometres west of Okinawa's main island. Designated as part of the Kerama Shoto National Park, Tokashiki is surrounded by the legendary Kerama Blue waters, where visibility routinely reaches 30 to 50 metres and the clarity of the sea has become synonymous with world-class diving in Japan. The underwater landscape around Tokashiki is dominated by spectacular coral formations. Near the island's northwestern tip, the seabed is carpeted in expansive table corals and branching corals that create a scene Japanese divers poetically describe as the Dragon Palace. Strong tidal currents at certain points nourish dense soft coral growth alongside the hard coral gardens, adding splashes of colour to the reef. Scientists have documented 248 species of reef-building corals in the Kerama Islands, and Tokashiki showcases this diversity across dive sites ranging from 5 to 20 metres depth. Sea turtles are a constant presence at Tokashiki. Green turtles rest under coral overhangs and graze on seagrass, often allowing divers to approach within arm's reach. The reef is alive with clownfish and anemonefish species, including the distinctive tomato anemonefish, defending their giant sea anemone homes with characteristic aggression. Schools of moontail bullseyes swirl around fish aggregation structures, while spotted sweetlips, groupers, and butterflyfish patrol the coral heads. Sea snakes are occasional elegant visitors, weaving through the coral with undulating grace. The shallow depths and typically mild currents make Tokashiki accessible to divers of all experience levels. The island is reached from Naha by a 35-minute high-speed ferry or 70-minute regular ferry from Tomari Port, making it convenient for both day trips and overnight stays. The island offers a peaceful atmosphere with white sand beaches, a handful of dive shops, and simple but welcoming accommodation. For divers seeking pristine coral reefs in impossibly clear water without travelling to remote Pacific atolls, Tokashiki delivers a world-class experience within easy reach of Okinawa's capital.