Cape Maeda — Attraction in Onna

Maeda is a shell of its former self. If it was sentient, it would scream out in agony. So many people stomping around on the coral that it has been worn away. In fact, keep reading the reviews right here. You’ll see people recommending boots so you can stand… on the coral! I yelled at a guy for sitting on the coral (see picture) while messing around with his friends. According to the announcement they play on a loop, he had to be there with an “instructor”.

The whole requirement of an instructor is an absolute joke. The “instructors” take as many people as they can get to hold onto an innertube and pull them around and into the cave. The only qualification they appear to have is to be able to take photographs with one hand while pulling their customers with the other. The SCUBA instructors aren’t much better. Almost every single diver I saw had yet to achieve neutral balance and had their fins or knees on the coral.

The cave has become unbearable. So crowded both above and below the surface. When I was there this past weekend, there was a group of screaming women being pulled by an instructor on an innertube. There were probably six or seven of them and they did not stop screaming their entire time in the cave. They didn’t look like they could have swum on their own. Their hair was still dry! Speaking of not swimming. I saw another group of customers being pulled by an “instructor”. There was a man who lost hold of the inner tube with one hand and was spun around onto his back. The guy looked terrified! The “instructor” didn’t notice.

I’m sure the pictures are great. They chum the water like crazy (see photo). Sergeant Fish love it, humans who care about the environment, not so much. The coral looks...

Cape Maeda is an absolute gem for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts visiting Okinawa. The moment you step into the water, you're greeted by an astonishing variety of sea life. From colorful schools of fish to the occasional sea turtle, sea snake, or even a large octopus, the underwater world here is nothing short of spectacular.

One of the highlights is swimming along the reef to reach the famed Blue Cave. The cave itself is a mesmerizing sight, with its deep blue hues creating an almost otherworldly ambiance. It’s an excellent spot for families, providing a safe yet thrilling adventure for kids and adults alike.

The popularity of Cape Maeda means it can get quite busy, especially on weekends and holidays. To truly enjoy the experience, I recommend arriving early in the morning. This not only helps you beat the crowds but also offers a chance to see more active marine life.

Facilities around Cape Maeda are well-maintained, with showers and rental shops available for convenience. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to assist with gear or provide tips on the best spots to explore.

Overall, Cape Maeda delivers an unforgettable experience, blending natural beauty with an abundance of marine life. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a first-time snorkeler, this destination is a...

Cape Maeda used to be a good spot for snorkeling, freediving, and SCUBA. Now there is a locked gate with cameras to keep you from reaching the water outside of business hours. The parking lot costs 100¥ + 100¥ for every hour. It's not expensive, but consider the following. You still pay if you enter and the gate isn't open, and license plates with "A or Y" will get ticketed for parking outside of the lot.

Aside from all of that, it's an extremely popular spot for tourists. When it's open, people who can't even swim are permitted to breathe SCUBA and get towed around by divemasters. On normal days, the water is full of incompetent divers who are swimming across each other like a school of sardines. This is why the site has become so dangerous that they no longer allow swimming with winds over 10 knots or at night.

The Maeda website is not updated when conditions change and the site closes, so if the website says they're open, then you may arrive and pay to park only to find out that the...