Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave
真栄田岬・青の洞窟26°27′ N 127°46′ ESnorkelDive: beginner
Cape Maeda in Onna is the entry point for the Blue Cave snorkel and trial-dive site, and the cape's operator says plainly that it is not a swimming beach. A daily flag decides whether anyone may go in, and snorkellers must wear a life jacket or buoyancy belt.
Divers and snorkellers walk down a long flight of stairs from the clifftop car park to the water, then swim along the cliff to the Blue Cave, called Kumayaa-gama in Onna, which gives the site its name. The name appears as Maeda in a royal survey from the 1630s and 1640s. The cape gets crowded on weekends.
Rules are strict and posted: no spearfishing, no jumping in near the cape or the cave, no rubber boats or kayaks down the stairs and no swimming in warnings or bad weather. The operator warns that the tide runs fast, above all around low and high water. Onna's tourism association urges visitors to swim at lifeguarded beaches or join a guided snorkel tour.
Before you swim
- Fast tidal currents, especially around low and high tide
- No swimming when the flag is down or in a wave or tsunami warning
- No diving or jumping in near the cape or the Blue Cave
December to March
From December to March the car park and showers close at 18:00. From February to the end of March, humpback whales sometimes show offshore, and the pavilion on the clifftop makes a lookout. Check the cape's live sea-status page before driving up, because the flag closes the water on rough days.
Snorkelling · 4/5
Entry Down the stairs from the clifftop; a life jacket or buoyancy belt is compulsory
The swim follows the cliff to the Blue Cave
Diving · beginner
The Blue Cave, known locally as Kumayaa-gama, draws trial dives and snorkel tours
Dive with a local shop.
Our ratings
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Sunset
- Quiet
- Families
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- Look at the live video and flag on maedamisaki.jp before you leave the hotel.
- Join a guided snorkel or trial dive, and bring or rent the life jacket the cape requires.
- Don't park on village roads nearby: Onna's tourism association reports heavy police enforcement against street parking at dive spots.
FAQ
Quick answers about Cape Maeda and the Blue Caveよくある質問
Can you swim at Cape Maeda?
No. The operator says Cape Maeda is not a swimming beach. Snorkellers and divers may enter on days the flag allows, and they must wear a life jacket or buoyancy belt.
Is the Blue Cave open in winter?
It depends on the day. Cape Maeda posts a daily flag and live video, and the water closes when the sea or the weather is bad. The car park opens 7:00 to 18:00 from December to March.
How much is parking at Cape Maeda?
Parking at Cape Maeda costs ¥100 for the first hour and ¥100 for each hour after, with space for 180 cars. Hot showers cost ¥200 for 2 minutes.
Is Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave worth visiting in winter?
From December to March the car park and showers close at 18:00. From February to the end of March, humpback whales sometimes show offshore, and the pavilion on the clifftop makes a lookout. Check the cape's live sea-status page before driving up, because the flag closes the water on rough days.
Is Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave good for snorkelling?
We rate the snorkelling at Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave 4 out of 5. The swim follows the cliff to the Blue Cave. Entry: down the stairs from the clifftop; a life jacket or buoyancy belt is compulsory.
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