Cozy, Compact, and Intimate
The biggest island in the Keramas’ western cluster, Zamami is located around 40 kilometers west of Naha in Okinawa. By comparison to the dramatic mountainous landscape of Tokashiki, lower-lying Zamami feels cozy, compact, and intimate, making it especially popular with independent travelers who want to stay longer and really soak up the unique atmosphere of the Keramas. The island has three villages—Zamami, Ama, and Asa in descending order of size—and a population of around six hundred.
Zamami has five designated viewpoints—one of which is over 130 meters high—and two magnificent beaches, Ama Beach and Furuzamami Beach, where swimmers and snorkelers can enjoy brilliant white sand and the ever-shifting opals, jades and cobalts of Kerama Blue. Zamami is one of the world’s leading dive sites, and divers make the pilgrimage year-round to enjoy the site of colorful fish and sea turtles swimming around its coral reefs. As a result, there are plenty of dive shops with equipment, instructors, and guides, ensuring that divers of every level can have a good time. In winter, humpback whales migrate to the open waters just north of the island to rear their young, making this a fantastic place for whale-watching.