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Kakeromajima Boat Snorkel

The Amami Archipelago is dotted with hidden treasures and islands large and small. One of the smaller islands, Kakeromajima, is located south of the main island,Amami Oshima. It is known for its beautiful, pristine beaches and as the home of one of the island’s most well-known and culturally significant harvest festivals, Shodon Shibaya. With its unique island culture, war remnants, forests, and beaches, there is something for everyone’s interests to explore.

Shodon Shibaya held yearly on the ninth day of the ninth lunar calendar month

Planning

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

Kakeromajima is only accessible by boat. As there isn’t any routine public transportation on the island, it is recommended to take your own car or charter a small bus or taxi if you want to see the majority of the island. If you rent a car, be sure to double check that the car rental company permits travel to Kakeromajima. For those wanting just a taste of the island, renting a bicycle is the simplest way to go.

It is recommended to reserve your ferry tickets in advance, and it is a must if you are taking a car on the ferry. Please note that there are two different ports on Kakeromajima–Ikenma and Seso. Double check the Setouchi Town website for the timetable, which lists the times for each port. It is almost a thirty-minute drive between the two ports, so depending on how much time you have to spend on the island, it can make a big difference in your plans.

Exploring Kakeromajima by Boat Tour

Having a tour guide takes the load of planning transportation off your back, and if you choose a boat tour, there is even more adventure in store for you!

The tour I took departed from Koniya. I boarded the boat with my coworker and we joined a pair of visitors for a group tour. We confirmed with the tour guide ahead of time some of the things that we wanted to see as we made our way to the first destination.

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

On the main part of the island, we explored a bit of the forest and saw the Takena Gajumaru, a giant banyan tree. Then, we went on to some unique locations only accessible by boat. The boat would drop us off and circle around as we explored the coastline and a small, uninhabited island in the waters between Amami Oshima and Kakeromajima. The marine tour service also took out their drone to get some photos and videos to memorialize this island visit.

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

The Mysterious Blue Cave

The location I personally requested was the ‘blue cave,’ monikered such for the azure blue tint that takes over the cave on sunny days. While it wasn’t quite the best conditions for it that day according to the guide, I still found the cave beautiful. I would love to visit again when the color extends even further into the cave.

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

Additionally, the caving part itself was fun as well. While a rather small cave, it was fun navigating past the walls to take a quick peek at the view on the other side before making our way back to the boat.

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

Saneku Blue

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

A trip to Kakeromajima isn’t complete without seeing the blue waters of Saneku Beach, also called Saneku Blue. Arriving by boat brought us directly to the prime snorkeling area where we encountered various fish and even sea turtles! Our guide used his years of experience to get amazing photos of us among the colorful coral.

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

While the guide did give me some tips, I just didn’t have the skills to dive deeper towards the ocean floor. However, with proper timing, he was able to get the perfect shot when the turtle came up for air.

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

Besides snorkeling, we also had the option to enjoy other activities like standup paddle boarding and, if you’re okay with heights, jumping from the top of the boat. With plenty of things to do there was never a boring moment.

Practical Tips for Your Snorkeling Adventure

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

This article is based upon my experience through Danderaion Amami. Most marine services on the island have similar systems, but always be sure to double check specifics. You will need someone in your group who can speak Japanese, or you can hire an interpreter. They offer both half-day and full-day tours, so check out their website to see which tour is perfect for you. Depending on the tour you chose, even those who are not confident swimmers can participate!

Items to bring:
・water
・sunscreen
・swimsuit
・towel
・sandals/water shoes

I especially recommend bringing along water shoes or sandals that both can get wet and are comfortable to walk in. Although the fins and snorkeling gear are provided, water shoes make it easier to switch between swimming and exploring the rocky island coasts.

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

Be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks when needed. Most importantly, have fun and don’t be afraid to ask your guide lots of questions! Kakeromajima has a rich history and culture not touched upon in this article, so be sure to learn more about it during your own visit.

Concluding Thoughts

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

This tour is one of my favorite memories of Amami. Being able to see so many hidden sights was exhilarating, and returning from the tour with great photos and videos to look back upon was a great plus.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind ocean adventure with a personalized trip across the Oshima Strait, this is the tour for you!

Photo credit: Danderaion Amami

Additional Information

This article was written based upon the tour experienced through the collaboration with Danderaion Amami:
・https://www.dandelion-amami.com/