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Marine Viewer Seto

Explore Amami's coral reefs on the Marine Viewer Seto glass bottom boat! Departing from the southern area of Amami Oshima, Setouchi Town, riding the Seto is a great way to add exploring Amami’s ocean to your itinerary.

Planning

To board the Seto, you need to first buy your tickets at the Umi-no-eki in Setouchi. It is recommended to make a prior reservation over the phone, so you can get the departure time you wish for. Please note that the ticket booth for the Seto is not the same as the one for departures via the ferry. However, there are posters advertising the glass bottom boat, so it is not difficult to find.

To get to Umi-no-eki, you can take the bus or drive. There is not a direct bus from the airport, so you must transfer in Naze to get on the bus bound for Setouchi Umi-no-eki. The bus ride is approximately two-and-a-half hours from the airport, or one-and-a-half hours from Naze. By car it is about an hour and forty minutes from the airport or an hour from Naze. They have paid parking at the Umi-no-eki, and passengers of the Seto can get a one hour parking stub from the ticket office.

Experience

The Seto is docked by the giant tuna statue, and we boarded five minutes before departure. We stayed on the upper deck on the way to the destination, as the boat was moving quickly to see anything from the windows below.

Once we arrived at the destination, we moved below deck to the viewing area. We were lucky to go on a day that was not so crowded which gave us more freedom to move around. Depending on the part of the tour, the left or right side windows had a better view. I found myself sliding over from side to side excitingly pointing out my findings to my friend.

A clear, sunny day is best for being able to view the underwater world that awaits. The glistening sunrays striking the seafloor as schools of fish swim to and fro is truly a sight to behold. To be honest, photos alone do not give justice to the sights that await you.

Concluding Thoughts

The Marine Viewer Seto is a perfect alternative to snorkeling–perfect for younger children, chilly weather, or just those who don’t want to deal with swimming that day. It’s nice to be able to converse and take photos with friends without needing special tools or waterproof cameras. In terms of preparation, there’s nothing you need to even bring. No need for towels or a change of clothes–just your ticket to board and your phone for pictures!

It’s also the perfect activity for tight schedules. The thirty minute tour passed by in a flash, and I had time to stop for ice cream afterwards. If you need any more reasons to go visit the southern parts of Amami Oshima, the Seto offers a fun (yet dry!) adventure for everyone.

Additional Information

Below is the Marine Viewer Seto website (JP):
・https://amamiseto.jp/aboard/