Busena Marine Park Okinawa
Discover Okinawa's vibrant underwater world at Busena Marine Park, featuring an observatory and glass-bottom boats for unique marine encounters.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best visibility for marine life
Busena Marine Park Okinawa
Best Time
Best visibility for marine life
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Okinawa's vibrant underwater world at Busena Marine Park, featuring an observatory and glass-bottom boats for unique marine encounters.
"The sea creatures and coral are amazing, cannot imagine how amazing it would be before the storm destroying most of the coral."
Check Weather for Clarity
Clear skies = amazing underwater views! Check forecasts to maximize your experience. :cloud:
Bring a Light Jacket
The underwater observatory can be chilly due to strong air conditioning. :coat:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Underwater Observatory Tower
In the sea, accessible via a jetty
Descend into the ocean depths for 360-degree views of vibrant coral and diverse marine life without getting wet.
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Glass-Bottom Boat Ride
Departing from the park
Glide over the water and peer through the transparent floor to witness colorful fish and coral formations up close.
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Feeding the Fish
Underwater Observatory & Glass-Bottom Boat
Purchase fish food crackers (made of fish food!) to attract and feed the vibrant schools of fish. An eco-friendly and fun activity for all ages.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for Clear Views
Bundle Up for the Underwater Tower
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Check Weather for Clarity
Clear skies = amazing underwater views! Check forecasts to maximize your experience. :cloud:
Bring a Light Jacket
The underwater observatory can be chilly due to strong air conditioning. :coat:
Combo Ticket Value
Consider a combo ticket for the observatory and glass-bottom boat for a fuller experience.
Eco-Friendly Fish Food
Feed fish with wafer crackers that are also fish food - zero waste! :fish:
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Weather for Clarity
Clear skies = amazing underwater views! Check forecasts to maximize your experience. :cloud:
Bring a Light Jacket
The underwater observatory can be chilly due to strong air conditioning. :coat:
Combo Ticket Value
Consider a combo ticket for the observatory and glass-bottom boat for a fuller experience.
Eco-Friendly Fish Food
Feed fish with wafer crackers that are also fish food - zero waste! :fish:
Boat Ride Cancellations
Glass-bottom boat rides may be cancelled in poor weather. :warning:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the stunning underwater views and the variety of activities at Busena Marine Park, particularly the observatory and glass-bottom boats. Many found the experience worth the admission price, highlighting the vibrant marine life and the eco-friendly fish feeding. Some noted that the underwater observatory can be chilly and queues can be long, but the overall experience is highly positive, especially on clear weather days.
"Stunning views, offering a lot of different activities on site, like scuba diving, peddle boarding and boat ride etc. We took the glass boat ride and been in the undersea tower, the ticket is 2100yen per person. The sea creatures and coral is amazing, cannot imagine how amazing it would be before the storm destroying most of the coral. Would love to visit again and hopefully get to do more activities on site."
Amy W
"So totally worth the price of admission! 😁
You can check the weather conditions on their website to know if the water will be clear enough to see fish or not.
Even on a day marked as "cloudy" we could see so many beautiful fish from the underwater viewing windows! You can buy fish food for ¥200 upstairs, and I really love that the food comes in a wafer cracker box that is itself made of fish food! No waste! 💜 Protecting the ocean! 💜💜
Next time I want to try the boat! We ran out of time this trip."
Sten Edwards
"This Marine Park is fairly small, as it basically covers the coral coast barely within 1 km from the beach. The tickets are reasonable for a short 20 minute glass bottom boat ride. However, it's best to check the weather forecast before booking tickets as the ride can be cancelled in poor weather conditiond.
The boat ride is to see congregating coral fish life, which you can pay 200 yen to feed with bonito pellets in a wafer. Very environmentally friendly and really gets the fish excited. Variety of fish life is not too bad, consisting of parrotfish, surgeon fish, zebra fish, clown fish and sea cucumbers.
After the ride, you can take a stroll along a short jetty towards the underwater tower. With an additional ticket, you can see the fish lower down the sea level through viewing portholes."
Avril Atkeg
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Busena Marine Park is located in Kise, Nago City, Okinawa. You can reach it by car, taxi, or bus. If using public transport, take a bus from Naha Bus Terminal towards Nago Bus Terminal and then transfer to a local bus heading towards Busena Marine Park.
Yes, parking is available at Busena Marine Park. It's convenient if you're traveling by car.
Absolutely! Many visitors combine Busena Marine Park with nearby attractions like Cape Manzamo, Churaumi Aquarium, or American Village.
Renting a car is often the most flexible way to explore Okinawa and reach Busena Marine Park at your own pace. Buses are also an option but can be time-consuming.
Yes, the park is a popular tourist spot and is generally easy to access, especially if you have transportation arranged.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
A combo ticket for the underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat ride typically costs around 2100 JPY for adults and 500 JPY for children.
While advance booking isn't always mandatory, it's a good idea to check their official website, especially during peak season, to confirm availability and operating hours.
The standard ticket usually includes access to the underwater observatory tower and a glass-bottom boat ride.
Discounts might be available for children and sometimes for package deals. It's best to inquire at the ticket counter or check their website for current offers.
Operating hours can vary by season. It's recommended to check the official Busena Marine Park website for the most up-to-date information on opening and closing times.
🎫 🐠 Onsite Experience
You can see a variety of marine life, including colorful coral reefs, tropical fish like parrotfish, surgeonfish, zebra fish, clownfish, and even sea cucumbers, all from the comfort of the underwater tower.
The glass-bottom boat ride typically lasts about 20 minutes, offering a good glimpse of the underwater world.
Yes, you can purchase fish food (wafer crackers made of fish food) for 200 JPY to feed the fish, which is a popular and eco-friendly activity.
Besides the observatory and boat ride, the park offers other water activities like scuba diving and pedal boarding.
Yes, Busena Marine Park is very family-friendly. The underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat rides are exciting for kids, and feeding the fish is a highlight.
📸 📸 Photography
The underwater observatory offers unique perspectives of marine life. The jetty leading to the tower and the coastline also provide beautiful scenic shots, especially on a clear day.
Yes, you can take photos inside the underwater observatory, but be mindful of other visitors and avoid using flash photography that might disturb the marine life.
The glass-bottom boat and the observatory provide excellent opportunities to capture underwater scenes without needing to dive.
A waterproof camera or a phone with a waterproof case is ideal for capturing shots from the glass-bottom boat or near the water. A standard camera is fine for the observatory and surrounding areas.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, always be respectful of others and any specific signage regarding photography in certain areas.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Remember to bring a light jacket for the observatory, as it can be cool inside. The park's accessibility and the educational aspect of observing marine creatures make it a worthwhile stop for families exploring Okinawa.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1While diving isn't required, consider a waterproof camera or phone case if you plan to get close to the water's edge. The scenic jetty leading to the observatory and the coastal views are also picturesque, especially during sunrise or sunset on clear days.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Underwater World
+1The glass-bottom boats offer a similar experience from the surface. With transparent floors, these boats allow you to witness the underwater spectacle without getting wet. Both options are perfect for those who want to experience the ocean's beauty without diving or snorkeling. Many visitors highlight the clarity of the water and the abundance of fish as major draws.
For an interactive experience, visitors can purchase fish food for a small fee (around 200 JPY) to feed the fish. This is a particularly engaging activity for children and offers a unique way to observe fish behavior up close. The food is served in an eco-friendly wafer cracker box, minimizing waste and demonstrating a commitment to ocean conservation.
Planning Your Visit: Weather and What to Bring
While the views are spectacular, be prepared for the temperature inside the underwater observatory. Many visitors mention that the strong air conditioning can make it quite chilly, even on a warm day. Bringing a light jacket or sweater is highly recommended to ensure a comfortable experience.
Consider purchasing a combo ticket that includes both the underwater observatory and the glass-bottom boat ride for the best value and a comprehensive experience. This allows you to enjoy different perspectives of the marine park's attractions.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit