Active Okinawa

Welcome to Okinawa! Meet your Trip Manager and fellow travellers this morning before we kick things into action with a karate lesson. Afterwards, you've got free time to do what you please in Naha, the island's laid-back capital. Head out to explore Kokusai Dori (the perfect shopping street for eateries, souvenirs and local crafts). Your base for the night is Orion Hotel (yes, the one behind Orion Beer) which happens to be perfectly placed near the city's monorail.

Rise and shine, it's time for a mini island-hopping adventure. This morning, we'll hop on a ferry and leave Naha behind, heading for the turquoise waters and laid-back vibes of the Kerama Islands.First stop: Aka Island, where the day is yours to choose your own island adventure. Hike up to scenic lookout points, hire a bike to explore nearby islands connected by bridges, snorkel among colourful coral reefs, or simply take in the views from the shoreline. Later, we'll hop aboard a short ferry to the beautiful island of Zamami, known for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. This is tropical Japan at its best.This afternoon, we'll return to Naha just in time for dinner. Keen to experience more of Okinawa's culture? Tonight, you can join an optional dinner accompanied by a lively Shima no Uta folk music performance of traditional songs and energetic dancing.

After breakfast, we'll leave the city behind and head for the coast. Waiting for us in Chatan are our bikes and a day of active exploration. This ride follows some of Okinawa's most scenic coastline, so get ready to swap city streets for dramatic coastal landscapes.Hop in the saddle and cycle your way along the 27km shoreline, passing beaches and limestone cliffs as we make our way north. Along the route, there'll be time to stop for lunch and refuel before continuing on to Cape Zanpa Lighthouse. Perched on a rugged headland overlooking the East China Sea, it's one of Okinawa's most iconic coastal landmarks and the perfect spot to pause for a photo.This afternoon, we'll roll into Onna and check into our beachfront hotel. The rest of the day is yours to recover by the pool, relax on the sand, or keep the adventure going with an optional Blue Cave experience.

Ready for one of the most fascinating cultural experiences on the trip? This morning, we'll head north from Onna towards Ogimi Village, swapping beaches for a deeper look at the traditions and way of life that make this corner of Okinawa so special.Today, you'll step inside one of Okinawa's famous Blue Zones, regions where people are known for living longer, healthier lives than average. Alongside a Local Guide, you'll explore the local village and learn about local beliefs, community life and the concept of ikigai that's woven into daily life here. Afterwards, we'll sit down for a farm-to-table lunch featuring local ingredients, regional dishes and the stories behind them.Back by the coast, the afternoon is all yours. Stretch out on the beach, make the most of the hotel's oceanfront setting, or amp things up with an optional ziplining adventure or off-road buggy ride through the wild landscapes of Yambaru. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Enjoy a final morning on Okinawa's main island before we begin the journey south and swap coastal roads and beach views for a new island adventure.We'll return to Naha and head to the airport for a short flight across the East China Sea. In just an hour, we'll arrive on another adventure-filled island. Welcome to Ishigaki, the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands and our base for the next leg of the adventure. Think turquoise water, white-sand beaches and a slower pace of life. Once we've checked into our beachfront hotel on beautiful Sukuji Beach, the rest of the day is yours. Stretch out by the sea, settle into island life, or make the most of Ishigaki's famously dark skies with an optional stargazing experience tonight.

Today's all about getting out there. Join an optional adventure to nearby Iriomote Island, where you'll paddle through mangrove-lined waterways, trek through subtropical jungle and discover a secluded waterfall hidden deep within the island's wild landscape. Prefer to take things slower? Back on Ishigaki, there's plenty of time to make the most of the resort, cool off in the ocean or claim a spot on the soft sands of Sukuji Beach. Whether you're chasing adventure or downtime, the day is yours to spend your way.

Time to say sayonara. After one last breakfast with the crew, our trip officially comes to an end. From cycling the coastline and exploring Blue Zone traditions to island-hopping through the Keramas and discovering the Yaeyama Islands, you've experienced a side of Japan that's a world away from the mainland. Until next time.