Ishigaki Island

Kabira Bay is the kind of breathtaking paradise you'd imagine was Photoshopped onto tourism brochures by an over-caffeinated marketing intern, but luckily, this one actually exists-gleaming emerald waters, sand so white it makes dentists envious, and coral reefs lively enough to feel like Times Square at rush hour, fish version. Arrive early morning to sidestep the selfie-stick-wielding masses, and give yourself a solid few days to plan ahead, reserving one of the glass-bottom boat tours that reveal underwater spectacles without getting your shorts wet. Budget about 1,500 yen ($10-15 USD) per trip-consider it pocket-change-level extortion for a nature-crafted IMAX experience-and don't forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and your signature skeptical-yet-curious traveler's smirk. Sure, swimming is off-limits due to currents keen on whisking tourists to Taiwan, but exploring Kabira Bay is worth it just to smugly tell friends back home you gazed at technicolor coral through a window on a boat, pondering the absurd magnificence and fragility of nature, all while maintaining a respectful distance that even your skeptical, sustainability-minded niece could appreciate.

If your idea of adventure involves awkwardly squeezing yourself into neoprene before dunking your face into crystal-clear waters, snorkeling at Blue Cave near Yonehara might actually redeem your dignity (at least until you spot your reflection in your snorkel mask). Nestled off Okinawa's idyllic shores, this underwater cathedral sparkles neon blue thanks to an ingenious trick of sunlight reflecting off white limestone floors-a quirk Mother Nature thoughtfully arranged around ten thousand years ago, presumably while she was feeling artistic or had an especially strong espresso. Go early in the morning (think sunrise, when hungover tourists are still snoring) to snag waters less crowded with selfie-squads; plan ahead a week or two to secure a spot with local guides who know their coral reef from their sea cucumber. Budget around ¥5,000 yen ($35 USD) for guided tours, plus a few extra yen for post-dunk snacks-because let's be honest, floating aimlessly works up an oddly ravenous appetite. And absolutely bring a waterproof camera, if only to capture your spectacularly embarrassing underwater "peace sign" selfie. Sure, snorkeling at Blue Cave is the kind of touristy thing travelers love to sneer at, but trust me: there's nothing quite like casually mentioning at dinner parties that you once swam with psychedelic fish in an underwater cave illuminated like a Daft Punk concert.