The Kerama Islands sit just off Naha, wrapped in the famous “Kerama Blue” water. They are one of the easiest day trips in Okinawa—if you get the ferry right.
We’ve made this crossing with a toddler asleep in a carrier and again with older kids racing to the top deck. The boats are simple; the planning is where families trip up.
This guide breaks down every Kerama ferry: which island, which boat, how long, how much, and how to survive the ride with kids.
Which Kerama Ferry Should Families Take? (Quick Answer)
For most families, take the high-speed Marine Liner Tokashiki from Tomari Port in Naha to Tokashiki Island (about 35 minutes) for the shortest, calmest ride to a swimmable beach. For Zamami or Aka islands, the high-speed Queen Zamami takes roughly 50–70 minutes. All Kerama ferries leave from Tomari Port (Tomarin), a 15-minute taxi from central Naha. Book seats 1–2 months ahead in summer.
The Kerama Islands, and Why Families Go
The Keramas are a cluster of small islands protected as a national park. The draw is the water: clear, shallow, turtle-filled, and calmer than the open ocean.
Three islands have passenger ferry service from Naha:
- Tokashiki — closest, best big swimmable beaches (Aharen, Tokashiku).
- Zamami — lively little port village, Furuzamami Beach, whale watching in winter.
- Aka — tiny and quiet, connected to Zamami; great for a slow day.
If you’re still deciding between islands across Okinawa, our guide to which Okinawa island is best for families puts the Keramas in context.
All Ferries from Naha to the Keramas: The Comparison Table
Every Kerama ferry departs from Tomari Port (Tomarin) in Naha. There are two operators—Tokashiki Village runs the Tokashiki boats, Zamami Village runs the Zamami/Aka boats—so you buy tickets at separate counters inside the terminal.
| Ferry | Island | Type | Time (approx.) | Adult fare (one way) | Child fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Liner Tokashiki | Tokashiki | High-speed | ~35–40 min | ~¥2,750 | ~¥1,380 |
| Ferry Tokashiki | Tokashiki | Car/regular | ~70 min | ~¥1,690 | ~¥850 |
| Queen Zamami | Zamami / Aka | High-speed | ~50–70 min | ~¥3,200 | ~¥1,600 |
| Ferry Zamami | Zamami / Aka | Car/regular | ~90–120 min | ~¥2,150 | ~¥1,080 |
Fares are one-way and approximate; round-trip tickets and children under school age get discounts. Always confirm the day’s live fare at the counter.
How to read the table with kids in mind
- Shortest ride: Marine Liner Tokashiki. Best for toddlers and anyone prone to seasickness.
- Cheapest ride: the regular car ferries—but they take twice as long.
- Most sailings per day: Tokashiki, because it’s closest and most popular.
Booking Kerama Ferry Tickets with Kids
Top Things to Do in Okinawa
Instant confirmation for most tickets
This is where families get caught out. In summer and on weekends, the high-speed boats sell out—sometimes days ahead.
- Book online in advance (both village operators take reservations by phone/web).
- Reserve both directions. The afternoon return from Tokashiki is the first to fill.
- Aim to arrive at the terminal 40–60 minutes before departure to collect tickets and clear the queue with a stroller.
Planning ferry days as part of a bigger trip? The crossing slots neatly into our 10-day Okinawa and islands family itinerary, which builds in one full ferry day.
You can also bundle island snorkeling trips and Naha activities in advance—compare family-friendly options and skip-the-line tickets on Klook Okinawa before you go.
Getting to Tomari Port with Kids
All boats leave from Tomari Port (Tomarin), address 沖縄県那覇市前島3丁目25-1. It’s about a 15-minute taxi from Kokusai-dori or a short drive from most Naha hotels.
- Taxi: easiest with young kids and beach gear.
- Yui Rail: Miebashi Station is roughly a 10-minute walk—fine for older kids, less fun hauling a cooler.
- Car: paid parking is available at the terminal (), but you can’t take a rental car on the passenger high-speed boats.
Ticket counters open around Ticket counters from ~07:00; daytime sailings. For getting around the rest of the island, see our guide to rental cars, the Yui Rail and buses in Okinawa.
Surviving the Crossing: Seasickness and Little Kids
The high-speed boats are enclosed and air-conditioned. The regular ferries have open decks, which some kids love and some regret.
The Kerama channel can get choppy, especially in winter and on windy days. A few things that have saved our family:
- Give motion-sickness medicine (or ginger candy for older kids) 30 minutes before boarding.
- Sit low and central on the boat, and look at the horizon, not a screen.
- Pack a change of clothes and wipes in your carry-on, not the checked cooler.
Our full Okinawa packing list for families covers the day-bag we bring on ferry days.
What to Do Once You Land
Tokashiki’s Aharen and Tokashiku beaches are wide, shallow and turtle-friendly. On Zamami, Furuzamami Beach (Zamami Island) is a short shuttle from the port with a snorkel-friendly reef (Free (rental gear extra) to enter; gear rental extra).
The Keramas are one of the best places in the prefecture to snorkel with sea turtles—see where families reliably spot them in our Okinawa sea turtles guide.
Before anyone gets in the water, check the season and flags in our Okinawa beach hazards guide—box jellyfish nets and beach flags matter here.
Winter twist: whale watching
From late December to early April, the Keramas fill with humpback whales. Many families skip the swim day entirely and take a Kerama Islands Whale Watching (Naha Departures) tour instead (Approx. ¥4,500–6,500 adults, ¥3,500–5,000 children (half-day Naha-departure tours; varies by operator)).
A Realistic Kerama Ferry Day Plan
- 7:00 — Breakfast, taxi to Tomari Port.
- 8:00–9:00 — Morning high-speed sailing to Tokashiki or Zamami.
- 9:30–15:00 — Beach, snorkel, lunch, shade break.
- 15:00–16:00 — Afternoon high-speed return to Naha.
Do not gamble on the last boat if the sea forecast is rough—sailings can be cancelled at short notice, and being stuck overnight with kids is a real risk. Build a buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Kerama ferries leave from?
All passenger ferries to the Kerama Islands depart from Tomari Port (Tomarin) in Naha, about 15 minutes by taxi from central Naha. Tokashiki and Zamami boats use separate ticket counters inside the same terminal.
How long is the ferry to the Kerama Islands?
The high-speed Marine Liner Tokashiki reaches Tokashiki in about 35–40 minutes. The Queen Zamami to Zamami and Aka takes roughly 50–70 minutes. The slower car ferries take about 70 to 120 minutes.
How much is the Kerama ferry for a family?
Expect roughly ¥2,750 per adult one way on the fast Tokashiki boat and about ¥3,200 to Zamami, with children around half price. Round-trip tickets are cheaper than two singles. Confirm live fares at the counter.
Do I need to book Kerama ferry tickets in advance?
Yes, in summer and on weekends. The high-speed boats sell out days ahead in peak season. Reserve both directions online, and book early if you’re traveling in July, August or Golden Week.
Which Kerama island is best for young kids?
Tokashiki, because it’s the shortest ride and has wide, shallow beaches like Aharen and Tokashiku. Zamami suits families who want a livelier village and easy access to Furuzamami Beach and whale watching.
Can I take a rental car on the Kerama ferry?
Only on the slower regular car ferries, and space is limited and must be reserved. The high-speed boats are passenger-only. Most families leave the car in Naha and use island shuttles or rentals on arrival.
Is the Kerama ferry rough with kids?
It can be, especially in winter or high wind. The enclosed high-speed boats are steadier than the open-deck ferries. Give motion-sickness remedies 30 minutes before boarding and sit low and central.
Can we do the Keramas as a day trip from Naha?
Yes. Take a morning high-speed sailing and an afternoon return for a full beach day. Just avoid the very last boat when the forecast is rough, since cancellations can strand you overnight.
More Okinawa Family Guides
- Getting to Okinawa’s Islands with Kids: Flights and Ferries
- Naha with Kids: A Family City Guide
- Okinawa with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide
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