What to Bring for Snorkeling in Okinawa: What the Tour Provides and What You Pack Yourself

On most snorkeling tours in Okinawa the mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket are provided. What you bring is basically a swimsuit, a towel and a drink. Here is what you must bring, what is handy, what you can leave at the hotel, and what to wear — from the local guide who runs our fully private tours in Chatan and Onna.

Only three things are a must: swimsuit, towel and a drink

For our tours, the only things you must bring are a swimsuit, a towel and a drink. Please put your swimsuit on at the hotel, wear normal clothes over it and come in beach sandals. The mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket are included in the price, with life jackets in children's sizes too. For the drink, plan on at least 500 ml per person so you can drink before and after the water. You do not notice yourself sweating in the sea, and you will be thirstier than you expect once you are out.

Handy to have — and what you can leave behind

Handy extras are a change of clothes, sunscreen and motion-sickness pills if you get carsick. The breeze chills you once you are out of the water, so dry clothes and a light layer make the ride back far more comfortable. For sunscreen we ask for a reef-friendly mineral type (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). What you can leave behind is a waterproof phone pouch. We hand you an action camera (Insta360) as well, and the photos taken on both cameras — yours and the guide's — are emailed to you free afterwards, so there is no need to take your phone into the sea. Keep valuables to a minimum so they can stay in the car.

Showers, changing and glasses

"Is there somewhere to change?" is another common question. We set up a private shower and our own changing tent, so you do not queue at public facilities (at the Blue Cave we use the facilities on site, so only their shower and changing fee is extra). Bring a plastic bag for your wet swimsuit and nothing else in your bag gets wet on the way back. If you wear glasses, disposable soft contact lenses are the easiest option. In short: come wearing your swimsuit, with a towel and a drink, and practically nothing else.