What Is Busena Marine Park?
Busena Marine Park is a marine theme park located at Cape Busena (Busena-misaki) in Nago City, north-central Okinawa. Opened in 1970, it boasts over 50 years of history. Its two main attractions are an underwater observatory tower built 170 meters offshore and a glass-bottom boat that cruises over coral reefs. Since no swimming is required, it is especially popular with children, elderly visitors, and non-swimmers.
Underwater Observatory Tower
The underwater observatory is the only underwater viewing facility on Okinawa's main island. You walk across a bridge to a tower standing on the sea, then descend a spiral staircase to approximately 5 meters underwater. Inside, 24 glass windows arranged in a 360-degree circle let you observe coral reefs and tropical fish swimming freely outside.
- Depth: Approximately 5m below sea level
- Windows: 24 panes (360-degree panorama)
- Marine life: Clownfish, butterflyfish, damselfish, lionfish — approximately 200 species
- Time needed: About 20-30 minutes
- Weather: Best visibility on sunny days, but viewable even on cloudy days
Glass-Bottom Boat
The glass-bottom boat features a transparent floor that lets you look down into the sea while cruising over coral reefs. The boat has a distinctive whale-shaped hull and sails around the shallow reef zone near Cape Busena for approximately 20 minutes.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 20 minutes |
| Capacity | 36 passengers |
| Departures | Every ~20 minutes |
| Features | Whale-shaped hull, glass floor panels |
| Marine life | Coral reefs, tropical fish, occasionally sea turtles |
Admission Fees & Combo Tickets
The observatory and glass-bottom boat can be enjoyed individually or as a combo, with the combo ticket offering about 20% savings.
| Facility | Adults | High School/College | Elementary/Middle | Under 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Observatory | 1,050 yen | 840 yen | 530 yen | Free |
| Glass-bottom boat | 1,560 yen | 1,250 yen | 780 yen | Free |
| Combo (both) | 2,100 yen | 1,680 yen | 1,050 yen | Free |
- Combo savings: About 20% off compared to buying separately
- Total time: About 1-1.5 hours for both experiences
- Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted
Hours & Closure Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Apr-Oct: 9:00-18:00 / Nov-Mar: 9:00-17:30 |
| Last entry | 30 minutes before closing |
| Holidays | None (open year-round) |
| Closures | Typhoons, high waves, or strong winds: both facilities close |
| Weather check | Call ahead recommended (0980-52-3379) |
- Rainy days: The observatory is viewable in rain (you're underwater)
- Glass-bottom boat: May be suspended in rough seas — check beforehand
- Best season: May to September for maximum water clarity
2000 G8 Summit & The Busena Terrace
Cape Busena is famous as the venue for the 2000 G8 Summit (Kyushu-Okinawa Summit). The Busena Terrace, where world leaders stayed during the summit, continues to operate as one of Okinawa's premier luxury resort hotels.
- G8 Summit: Held July 21-23, 2000
- Participants: USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, Russia
- Bankoku Shinryokan: The main summit conference hall, now a convention facility
- The Busena Terrace: 5-minute walk from the marine park. Non-guests can use restaurants and cafes
Access & Nearby Attractions
| Transport | Details |
|---|---|
| Rental car | ~1.5 hours from Naha (via Okinawa Expressway). Free parking |
| Bus | From Nago Bus Terminal, Route 20/120 ~15 min, alight at "Busena Resort Mae" |
| Shuttle bus | Free shuttle between parking lot and observatory, every ~20 min (25 passengers) |
- Nago Pineapple Park — 10 minutes by car. Pineapple tasting and winery
- Churaumi Aquarium — 30 minutes by car. Great combined day trip
- Cape Manzamo — 20 minutes by car. Famous cliff-top scenery
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility | Busena Marine Park |
| Address | 1744-1 Kise, Nago, Okinawa 905-0026 |
| Phone | 0980-52-3379 |
| Hours | 9:00-18:00 (Apr-Oct) / 9:00-17:30 (Nov-Mar) |
| Parking | Free |
| Website | busena-marinepark.com |
FAQ
Q. Can I visit if I can't swim?
A. Yes. Both the observatory and glass-bottom boat let you enjoy the sea without entering the water. Perfectly safe for children, elderly visitors, and non-swimmers.
Q. Observatory or glass-bottom boat — which is better?
A. Both are wonderful, but the combo ticket for both is recommended. The observatory provides an up-close underwater view, while the boat offers a wide aerial perspective of the reef.
Q. Is it okay on rainy days?
A. The observatory is underwater, so rain has little effect and remains open. The glass-bottom boat may be suspended in rough seas.
Q. Can I visit Churaumi Aquarium on the same day?
A. Yes. They're only 30 minutes apart by car, making a combined day trip ideal. We recommend the marine park in the morning and the aquarium in the afternoon.
Q. Is it suitable for young children?
A. Very much so. Free for children under 6, stroller-accessible, with shuttle bus service — ideal for family trips.
