Onna Village Resort Coast Drive Day Course

This is a drive plan along the coast of Onna Village in central Okinawa Island, lined with resort hotels. From the cliffs of Cape Manzamo to snorkeling at the Blue Cave, you can fully enjoy the blue sea. The spots are spread out, so a car is assumed.

Course Route

9:30 Start at Cape Maeda A base for snorkeling and diving to the Blue Cave. It is relatively quiet in the morning. The parking lot fills up easily, so arriving early gives peace of mind. 11:00 Snorkel at the Blue Cave A popular spot where light entering the cave makes the sea glow blue. Joining a tour means the gear and safety management are handled, so it suits beginners. It is sometimes canceled due to weather or sea conditions, so check on the day. 12:30 Lunch at an Onna cafe Enjoy island vegetables and taco rice at a seaside cafe. 14:00 Stroll Cape Manzamo (viewing fee 100 yen) A scenic spot known for a cliff shaped like an elephant trunk. The walkway gives a grand view of the East China Sea. The adjacent Manzamo area facility has souvenir shops and restaurants, and the observation deck is free to use. 15:30 Rest at a roadside station or beach Relax at Manza Beach or a beach in front of a resort. 16:30 Head toward Cape Zanpa if time allows The lighthouse and sheer cliffs of Cape Zanpa in Yomitan make a fine end to the drive, about a 30 to 40 minute drive from Cape Maeda. 17:30 Finish and watch the sunset Being on the west coast, you can enjoy the sun setting into the sea.

Highlights

Cape Manzamo is known for a rock shaped like an elephant trunk and a view of sheer cliffs. The Blue Cave at Cape Maeda is a popular snorkeling spot that turns a mysterious blue when seen from under the water. Onna Village has beautiful west coast sunsets, and a drive at dusk is special.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: For going in the sea, early summer through autumn is comfortable as the water warms. The Blue Cave is said to look bluest in the morning when light streams in, while afternoons can bring rougher seas on some days.
• Avoiding crowds: The Cape Maeda and Manzamo parking lots are best early in the morning. Booking marine activities in advance lets you join smoothly.
• Time needed: A Blue Cave snorkel tour runs one to two hours in total, and a Manzamo stroll about 30 minutes. Linking the coastal spots is a full day.
• Real nearby spots: Manza Beach, Cape Busena with its Busena Marine Park, and the Onna roadside station all fit into a coastal drive.
• Budget sense: The Manzamo viewing fee is a modest 100 yen. A Blue Cave snorkel tour runs from several thousand yen, plus the rental car and lunch.

Access and Tips

The Blue Cave is sometimes canceled due to weather or sea conditions, so check on the day. The parking lots at each spot fill up easily, so early morning is best. Booking marine activities in advance is recommended.

A Quick Tip

If you plan to go in the sea, bringing a towel, a change of clothes and shoes that can get wet keeps the whole day comfortable. The west coast has beautiful sunsets, so timing your last spot to sunset lets you finish with a stunning view.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Manzamo (Manzamo Area Revitalization Facility): Open 8:00-20:00 from March to October and 8:00-19:00 from November to February. It is open year-round, but may close during typhoons and other natural disasters.
• Parking at Manzamo: Free of charge. The first car park holds 97 cars, 13 buses and 9 motorcycles; the second car park holds 218 cars and 15 motorcycles.
• Parking at Cape Maeda: Paid parking. For ordinary cars and motorcycles alike, 100 yen for the first hour and 100 yen for each additional 60 minutes (300 yen for the first hour for microbuses, 500 yen for large vehicles). There is space for 180 cars plus 5 large vehicles and 4 spaces for visitors with disabilities. Opening times are 7:00-19:00 from April to November and 7:00-18:00 from December to March. Large vehicles and microbuses must reserve in advance.
• Showers and toilets at Cape Maeda: The toilets and shower rooms are open 7:00-18:30 from April to November and 7:00-18:00 from December to March (toilet cleaning 14:00-15:00, shower room cleaning 16:30-17:30). A hot shower costs 200 yen (2 minutes), a hair dryer 100 yen (4 minutes 30 seconds) and a coin locker 100 yen per use; there are 3 changing rooms each for men and women inside the shower rooms. The management office is open 8:30-17:30 and closes from January 1 to 3 as well as for temporary closures during typhoons and the like.
• Inquiries: 098-966-8080 (Manzamo Area Revitalization Facility) / 098-982-5339 (Cape Maeda Management Office)
• Official information: Official website of the Manzamo Area Revitalization Facility (designated administrator: Manzamo Co., Ltd.) / Cape Maeda official website, "Facility Guide" and "Facility Overview"

*The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Hours and fees may change, so please check official information before you set out.