OOkinawa

Taking a ferry as a “cruise” or other alternatives

  • October 14, 2025

I'll be in Okinawa in November with my family (4 adults, 2 small kids) and am wondering if it's possible to take a ferry, such as the marine liner to Tokashiki without actually getting off, as a way to just enjoy the scenery there and back for (in this case) 1 hr 40 mins. as the sun is setting. We're wanting to get out on the water, but likely don't want to use a whole day on any of the islands ferries go to, and aren't particularly interested in any of the dinner cruises we've seen.

  1. Is this possible, and if so, can you stay out on deck during the trip (for the marine liner)? Do they let you eat snacks on board if you bring them along?

  2. Are any other ferries a possible good choice for this (also looking at Kudaka, Ie, and Minna)? Staying for an hour or two is an option if there is something we could do in that time, but don't want to use a full day.

  3. Any other alternatives that I haven't considered, or are any of the dinner cruises worthwhile (sounds like they don't go too far from the terminal)? We are considering a glass bottom boat at some point too, but presumably that is very close to shore and pretty short.

by Acrobatic_Pay_1171

2 comments

  2. I once went on a package to that included a bus trip to do shopping and a nighttime dinner cruise. The dinner cruise was really good because there was also entertainment as well so it made a nice trip back. If you do have a show, maybe the kids will be more entertained than the long trip back from the island.

    (When we got to the hotel, they apologised and said that there were only two couples on the tour today so there were not enough people for the bus. So instead of the bus we got a taxi each, paid by the tour, to take us shopping and to the dinner tour, it was really nice having your own personal taxi driver and the taxi driver actually came on the boat too and seem to enjoy the show.)

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