Snorkeling in Hatoma Blue, the sea of Hatoma Island, the "Island of Lapis

Hatoma Island Popular Activities! Snorkeling

 

Water activities on remote islands have become a popular travel plan in recent years.
Among the various types of waterfront activities that exist, snorkeling is one that is particularly popular among participants because it is both unusual and easy.

 

 

Snorkeling is swimming in the sea wearing a snorkel for breathing and underwater glasses.
For humans who cannot breathe underwater, the ocean is basically a place where they cannot stay for long periods of time, but snorkeling allows them to breathe while diving by bringing the snorkel tube to the surface.
Wetsuits block out the coldness of the water, so there is little physical strain on the body, and as long as you are able to swim as well as anyone else, it is a safe experience for men and women of all ages.

 

 

Some dives allow you to dive deep underwater with a tank full of air on your back,Snorkeling can be tackled quickly, which is a factor in its growing popularity.
The remote islands of Okinawa Prefecture are very popular, and many people actively enjoy the resort environment of Ishigaki and Miyako islands.
One such highly popular activity is snorkeling on Hatoma Island.

 

 

How to get to Hatoma Island

 

When you hear the name Hatoma Island, do you have any idea where it is located?
Some of you may know this, but many of you may not be able to visualize it.
Hatoma Island is located a little more than 430 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa, where Naha City is located.
With an area of about 1㎢ and a circumference of about 4km, Hatoma Island is quite compact, with only about 50 islanders, and there is no airport.
Therefore, it is necessary to go through Ishigaki Island before heading there.

 

By high-speed ferry from Ishigaki Island

 

Hatoma Island can be reached by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Island in about 45 minutes.
There are also flights via Uehara Port in Iriomote Island, but since it takes much longer, it is better to take a direct flight unless you also want to go sightseeing in Iriomote Island.

 

 

Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal is the only window to the remote islands of the Yaeyama Archipelago, including Hatoma Island.

However, since there are only a few ticket counters in the Ishigaki Port Terminal, it is very crowded and "hard to buy tickets" occurs.

In the past, there have been many cases in which the purchase of tickets took so long that the scheduled ferry could not be boarded and the tour time in Iriomotejima was not met.

Therefore, tickets are not purchased locally,We recommend purchasing online!

 

 

By high-speed ferry from Iriomote Island

 

There is also a ferry service to Hatoma Island from Uehara Port in Iriomote Island.
However, Iriomote Island also has no airport, and when heading to Iriomote Island, it is basic to use a ship via Ishigaki Island.
Therefore, the ferry from Iriomote Island will be used only if you include Iriomote Island sightseeing in your itinerary.

 

 

Hatoma Island Climate

 

The reason Hatoma Island is a good place for snorkeling is because of its climate.
As mentioned earlier, Hatoma Island is located far to the southwest of the main island of Okinawa.
The climate zone is subtropical maritime with many days throughout the year.Maximum temperature above 20°CThis is the climate that marks the
Of course, the coldest months on the mainland, from December to around February, are no exception,You can wear short sleeves even in the middle of winter when it should be midwinter.It will be about the same.
Because of this environment, snorkeling can be enjoyed on Hatoma Island at any time of the year.

 

Best season for Hatoma Island

 

So when is the best season to enjoy snorkeling on Hatoma Island?
Because of its mild climate, you can enjoy visiting in any season, but if your goal is snorkeling, summer is the best time to visit.
Summer in Okinawa is very sunny and you can enjoy the sparkling sunlight, which is incomparable to that of mainland Japan.
You also need to be careful not to get sunburned walking around, but that bright sunlight provides the best spotlight to color the underwater world.

 

 

The sea of Hatoma Island is so blue and clear that it has been praised as "Hatoma blue," and the tropical sunlight that shines through it is like something out of a fairy tale.
This island was once the location for a TV drama titled "Ruri no Shima" (Island of Lapis Lazuli), and the sea of Hatoma in summer shows the color of lapis lazuli, a jewel, just like the title.

 

 

Swimming in the ocean while viewing coral and tropical fish in a natural aquarium-like setting is an experience that will wash away your mind.
Of course, even in other seasons, on a clear day, the Hatoma blue sea is breathtakingly beautiful.

 

 

In addition, if you are planning to visit the island for sightseeing, we recommend that you go in March or April, outside the high season for Okinawa travel in summer, or around October, as travel costs are slightly lower!

 

Popular snorkeling spots on Hatoma Island

Let us introduce some popular snorkeling spots on Hatoma Island.
The main attraction of Hatoma Island is that you can get anywhere on foot.

 

Yara-no-Beach

 

The first name that comes to mind as a snorkeling spot on Hatoma Island would be Yara no Hama.
The beach is located on the west side of the island, not far from the village of Hatoma, where there is a guest house.
The fairly wide sandy beach and gentle waves allow even beginners to enjoy snorkeling calmly.
The fact that the beach faces west also helps,
The fact that you can watch the beautiful sunset as it sinks into the horizon in the evening is also not to be missed.

 

 

beach at Tachihara (in Kyoto)

 

Tachihara no Hama is located in the northern part of the island, and can be described as a beach with the atmosphere of a hole-in-the-wall spot on the island.
The sandy beach area is not very large, and visitors can enjoy the cozy landscape of a private beach.
It is also a beach where the waves are stronger at high tide and beautiful coral reefs are revealed at low tide.
If you have some snorkeling experience, this is a spot where you can enjoy snorkeling while keeping a close eye on the time of day and the ocean conditions.

 

 

offshore beach off an island

 

If one were to list the most popular beaches on the island, one could never leave out Shimanaka Beach.
This beach is famous for containing lots of star sand, a popular Okinawa souvenir, and you will find lovely grains that look like pieces of stars.
The accessibility is good, the sea is quiet and very suitable for snorkeling.
Underwater, you will be able to see the sight of coral reefs just off the beach.

 

 

Notes on Hatoma Island Snorkeling

Although Hatoma Island is such a charming place, there are a few things to keep in mind when enjoying snorkeling.
To avoid unexpected problems on your trip, please keep the following precautions in mind.

 

Individual snorkeling is dangerous!

 

Hatoma Island is a popular activity spot, but it is not a touristy island.
Therefore, the beaches are pristine and unspoiled, and there are no lifeguards or other personnel on duty.
It is important to understand that snorkeling on your own is dangerous because there is no one to help you if you unexpectedly become ill while swimming.

 

Beware of sudden squalls!

 

As I mentioned earlier, Hatoma Island has a subtropical maritime climate.
Rainfall differs from that on the mainland, with squalls that fall heavily and stop after a short period of time.
The weather can change easily, and there are cases where the weather can suddenly change from sunny to heavy rain, so be sure to check the weather forecast frequently.

 

Note the return ferry time!

 

As with the trip there, you will take a ferry to Ishigaki Island on the return trip.
Since the number of flights is limited, be sure to check the flight times at the airport and be careful not to be late.

 

summary

In this article, we have introduced Hatoma Island, which boasts hidden popularity as a snorkeling spot.
There are many popular islands in Okinawa, but not many that are not touristy and retain the ancient Okinawan atmosphere.
Hatoma Island offers an unexplored atmosphere and a charm that cannot be found anywhere else.
If you are considering a snorkeling trip to a tropical island, please consider Hatoma Island!

 

 

 

This article was written by.

Hello! I am Niwa-chan, your source for all things Iriomote Island. I have loved to be in touch with nature since I was a child, and I am especially fascinated by the rich natural environment of Okinawa. Currently, based in Iriomote Island, I provide information on how to enjoy activities such as snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking, as well as the hidden charms of the island.

I want to experience the best activities in Iriomote Island! and "I want to get local information about Iriomote Island! As a guide who actually works in the local area, we provide detailed information on recommended spots and activities on the island to those who "want to experience the best activities in Iriomote Island! Our goal is to deliver an unforgettable experience for our customers by interacting with the local nature every day.

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