Zamami Island is one of the most beautiful places I have visited in Japan. The water around the island truly lives up to the name “Kerama Blue,” and I could see fish while snorkeling straight from the beach. But before you can enjoy it, you need to get the ferry right.
There are two boats from Naha to Zamami, they leave from different piers, the schedule changes every month, and the most popular sailings sell out in summer. As someone living in Japan who regularly helps travelers book this ferry, I put together everything you need in one place: the two boats, 2026 fares, typical sailing times, whether a day trip works, and how to book online or by phone.
Quick answer: Ferries to Zamami leave from Tomari Port in Naha. The high-speed Queen Zamami takes about 50 minutes (adult ¥3,950 one way), and the slower Ferry Zamami takes about 1.5–2 hours (adult ¥2,900 one way). Book online from 55 days before departure, or by phone from 10:00 a.m. Japan time one month before. Same-day reservations are not accepted.
Important (October 2026): According to the official timetable, Queen Zamami is suspended from October 20 to December 3, 2026 for dry-dock maintenance. During this period, only Ferry Zamami operates between Naha and Zamami. Queen Zamami is scheduled to resume on December 4, 2026.
Queen Zamami vs Ferry Zamami: Which Boat Should You Take?
Both boats are operated by Zamami Village and connect Tomari Port (Naha) with Zamami Island and nearby Aka Island. The main differences are speed, price, the departure pier, and luggage.
| Queen Zamami (high-speed boat) | Ferry Zamami | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time (Naha–Zamami) | About 50 minutes | About 1 hr 30 min (direct) to 2 hr (via Aka) |
| Adult fare, one way | ¥3,950 | ¥2,900 |
| Adult fare, round trip | ¥7,510 | ¥5,510 |
| Departure pier in Naha | Tomari Port North Bank | Tomari Port South Bank (next to the Tomarin building) |
| Luggage | Up to 2 carry-on pieces per person | Larger luggage, bicycles and vehicles can be carried (vehicles must be reserved) |
| Typical sailings per day | 2 | 1–2 round trips (changes by date) |
| Best for | Day trips and travelers short on time | Budget travelers, heavy luggage, and when Queen Zamami is full or suspended |
If you are visiting on a day trip, Queen Zamami is usually the better choice because it gives you much more time on the island. If you are staying overnight, carrying diving gear, or Queen Zamami is sold out, Ferry Zamami is a good option.
Zamami Ferry Fares (2026)
These are the official passenger fares between Naha (Tomari Port) and Zamami or Aka. Round-trip tickets are sold for trips starting from Naha.
| Fare | Queen Zamami | Ferry Zamami |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, one way | ¥3,950 | ¥2,900 |
| Adult, round trip | ¥7,510 | ¥5,510 |
| Child, one way | ¥1,980 | ¥1,450 |
| Child, round trip | ¥3,760 | ¥2,760 |
| Zamami ⇔ Aka, one way | ¥500 | ¥400 |
- Child fare: applies to children up to elementary school age. One child aged 5 or under can travel free with each adult; additional young children pay the child fare.
- Island entry tax: visitors to Zamami pay ¥100 per person (the “Churashima tax”). Children up to junior high school age are exempt.
- Vehicles and bicycles: only Ferry Zamami carries them, and vehicles must be reserved in advance. A bicycle costs ¥430 one way between Tomari and Zamami/Aka.
Fares can change, so check the official fare page before you travel.
Zamami Ferry Schedule: Typical Sailing Times
The timetable changes every month, and Ferry Zamami in particular can have different patterns on different days. Always check the official monthly timetable for your travel date. The examples below are taken from the official November and December 2026 timetables.
Queen Zamami (example: December 4–31, 2026)
| Sailing | Route and times |
|---|---|
| No. 1 | Naha 9:00 → Zamami 9:50 → (departs 10:00) Aka 10:10 → (departs 10:20) Naha 11:10 |
| No. 2 | Naha 15:00 → Aka 15:50 → (departs 16:00) Zamami 16:10 → (departs 16:20) Naha 17:10 |
In other words, the morning boat goes to Zamami first, and the afternoon boat returns from Zamami directly to Naha.
Ferry Zamami (examples from November–December 2026)
| Pattern | Route and times |
|---|---|
| One round trip (most days) | Naha 10:00 → Aka 11:30 → Zamami 12:00 / Zamami 15:00 → Aka 15:15 → Naha 17:00 |
| Two sailings (some days) | Naha 9:00 → Aka 10:30 → Zamami 11:00, then Zamami 11:15 → Naha 12:45 / Naha 13:15 → Zamami 14:45, then Zamami 15:00 → Aka 15:15 → Naha 17:00 |
| December 2026 | Naha 10:00 → Aka 11:30 → Zamami 12:00 / Zamami 14:00 → Aka 14:15 → Naha 16:00 |
Schedules can also change on the day because of weather. The Zamami Tourism Association says weather-related cancellations are usually decided around 8:00 a.m. each morning, so check the official operation status before heading to the port.
Can You Do a Day Trip to Zamami?
Yes, but how much time you get on the island depends on the boat.
- Queen Zamami both ways: arrive at 9:50 and leave at 16:20, which gives you about 6.5 hours on Zamami. This is the classic day-trip plan.
- Ferry Zamami both ways (one-round-trip days): arrive at 12:00 and leave at 15:00 (14:00 in December), which gives you only about 2–3 hours.
- Mixed: for example, Queen Zamami in the morning and Ferry Zamami back in the afternoon. You may need to book each direction as a separate one-way reservation.
Whichever plan you choose, book your return trip before you go. The tourism association notes that return tickets cannot be bought at the Zamami or Aka counter before your departure day, and boats can fill up.
Zamami or Aka? Island Hopping by Village Boat
Both boats from Naha also stop at Aka Island, a smaller island right next to Zamami. If you want to visit both, the village boat Mitsushima runs between Zamami and Aka six times a day. The adult fare is ¥500 one way (child ¥250), no reservation is possible for the Zamami–Aka route, and you pay in cash.
How to Book the Zamami Ferry
Reservations are handled by Zamami Village, not by the tourism association. Email reservations are not accepted, and same-day reservations are not possible. You have three options.
1. Book online
- Opens 55 days before the sailing date and closes the day before departure.
- Payment is made online by card.
- Up to 5 people per booking. One booking covers one one-way or one round trip.
- According to the official web booking terms, cancellations made by the passenger are refunded minus a 30% fee.
The online calendar shows only the seats allocated to web bookings. If a sailing looks sold out online, seats may still be available by phone. I explain this in detail in Zamami Ferry Sold Out Online? How to Book by Phone.
2. Book by phone
- Zamami Village Naha Office: +81-98-868-4567 (098-868-4567 from Japan)
- Hours: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Japan time
- Opens at 10:00 a.m. on the same date one month before your sailing, and closes the day before departure
- No payment by phone. You pay and collect your ticket at the Tomari Port counter on the day of travel
Phone reservations are generally handled in Japanese, so you should be prepared to complete the call in Japanese. The official timetable also warns that the phone line is often busy in summer. In my experience, calling right at 10:00 a.m. Japan time and redialing repeatedly is often necessary for popular dates.
3. Book at the Tomari Port counter
If you are already in Naha, you can also make a reservation in person at the Tomari Port ticket counter a few days before your trip.
Need help booking by phone? If calling Japan in Japanese at exactly 10:00 a.m. is difficult, SAKURA ALLY can call the Naha Office from Japan and try to reserve your preferred sailing for you. If the reservation cannot be secured, you are not charged a service fee. The ferry fare itself is paid at the port on the day of travel.
Getting to Tomari Port: North Bank or South Bank?
This is where many first-time visitors get confused. The two boats leave from different sides of Tomari Port.
- Queen Zamami: North Bank. It is about a 7–10 minute walk from the Tomarin terminal building. There is no parking near the North Bank ticket office, so use the Tomarin parking garage if you drive.
- Ferry Zamami: South Bank, next to the Tomarin building.
- Arrive early: collect your ticket well before departure (at least 30 minutes before is safest) and board at least 10 minutes before departure. Morning traffic and parking around Tomari Port can be heavy, especially in summer and on holidays.
- Luggage: Queen Zamami allows up to 2 carry-on pieces per person. For Ferry Zamami, cargo reception closes 30 minutes before departure.
Zamami Ferry FAQ
How long is the ferry from Naha to Zamami?
About 50 minutes on Queen Zamami, and about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours on Ferry Zamami, depending on whether it stops at Aka Island first.
How much is the ferry to Zamami?
For adults, Queen Zamami costs ¥3,950 one way or ¥7,510 round trip, and Ferry Zamami costs ¥2,900 one way or ¥5,510 round trip. Visitors also pay a ¥100 island entry tax.
Do I need to book the Zamami ferry in advance?
It is strongly recommended, especially in summer, on weekends and during Japanese holidays. Same-day reservations are not accepted, and popular sailings can sell out.
Is Queen Zamami running in November 2026?
No. According to the official timetable, Queen Zamami is suspended from October 20 to December 3, 2026 for dry-dock maintenance. Ferry Zamami operates during this period.
Where does the Zamami ferry leave from?
From Tomari Port in Naha. Queen Zamami leaves from the North Bank, and Ferry Zamami leaves from the South Bank next to the Tomarin building.
What happens if the ferry is cancelled because of weather?
If the boat is cancelled, the fare is refunded. Cancellation decisions are usually made around 8:00 a.m. on the day, so check the official operation status in the morning and have a backup plan during typhoon season.
Official Information and Sources
- Zamami Village: monthly ferry timetable
- Zamami Village: fares
- Zamami Village: reservations and seat availability
- Zamami Village: web booking terms
- Zamami Village Tourism Association: about boat reservations
Last checked against official information: October 16, 2026.
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[…] your Zamami trip? For the two boats, 2026 fares, typical sailing times, and day-trip timing, see my Zamami Ferry Guide 2026: Schedule, Fares & How to Book. Note that Queen Zamami is suspended from October 20 to December 3, 2026 for dry-dock maintenance, […]