Japan's First Green Fins Resort Sets the Bar for Ocean Tourism

Forbes

5 days ago

From coral nurseries to glass-bottom submersibles and underwater cleanups, this eco-forward getaway invites guests to take part in the future of marine conservation.
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort
Drop In, Don't Just Check In
The first thing that greets you at ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort isn't just the staff's gracious generosity or the ocean panorama—it's the presence. There's a calm in the air, carried by the shoreline breeze. More than a scenic backdrop, the ocean is the island's lifeline. It supports the local economy, sustains delicate ecosystems, and shapes Okinawa's cultural identity. And yet, destinations like this are too often reduced to aesthetic shorthand: thirty-second reels, filtered sunsets, and a shallow gaze that misses the soulful depth of place. This isn't just another run-of-the-feed, Instagrammable escape. It's an invitation to drop into sacred communion—with the people, the land, and the living spirit of the island. That significance isn't lost on some of the hotel's most influential guests. This resort has hosted global dignitaries, prolific leaders, and tastemakers alike. It's not every day one finds themselves in the same suite once occupied by President Bill Clinton during the 2000 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit—but there I was.
Garden Pool
The Art of Grounding a Space
The Manza Suite unfolds over a spacious, sunlit layout, with a private veranda that frames sweeping vistas of the East China Sea. Inside the living room, plush furnishings reflect the locale, with ocean-blue throw pillows embroidered in warm coral tones—small but intentional details that complement Onna Village's elemental palette. In the bathroom, a deep soaking tub grounds the space, paired with sleek fixtures and a spacious vanity. The design leans minimalist but not sterile—elevated by subtle textures that deliver seamless luxury without distraction.
Manza Suite Living Room
Manza Suite Bathroom
My favorite design detail in the entire suite was tucked right inside the bedroom. Above the bed, a three-dimensional art installation doubles as an abstract accent wall. Its layered composition evokes the contours of coral reefs and coastal topography. Sinuous organic forms ripple across a stormy blue-gray backdrop, resembling the erosion patterns of limestone or the undulating surface of an underwater reef system. A sand-hued band cuts cleanly across the center, stabilizing the entire piece while paying homage to Okinawa's interplay between land and sea. More sculpture than standard decor, it captures the island's natural forces in a way that feels both grounded and expressive. Had it been for sale, I would have eagerly procured it for my personal art collection.
Manza Suite Bedroom
Polished, Personalized, and Plated to Perfection
The resort's grandeur extends far beyond the Manza Suite. Across its 400-plus modern guestrooms, tailored comfort marries coastal charm. Each room includes a minibar, safe, tea‑and‑coffee station, and daily housekeeping upon request. Club InterContinental guests receive added perks like complimentary pressing for two garments per stay, as well as exclusive access to one of Okinawa's largest executive lounges. With a sweeping 270-degree ocean view, the Club Lounge offers gourmet breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails—an elevated experience unto itself.
Club InterContinental Entrance
Club InterContinental Lounge
Club InterContinental Lounge
The resort's main lobby and commons are expansive and intricately designed. Glass, limestone, and locally sourced materials mirror the shoreline, bridging Okinawan tradition with contemporary edge. Inside Urumo Spa, locally harvested botanicals and sea minerals transform each treatment into a sensorial immersion that feels tactile, aromatic, and deeply restorative. That same multi-sensory philosophy carries through to the resort's food and beverage program, where taste becomes an extension of atmosphere and character.
Main Lobby and Elevators
While Wagyu beef doesn't personally appeal to me as someone vegan, I was genuinely impressed by the plant-based options sprinkled throughout the menus. I've come to find that's a surprisingly rare offering across much of Okinawa's luxury dining landscape. The resort features several signature restaurants: Aqua Belle for all-day international fare; Unkai for sushi and teppanyaki; Orchid for refined Ryukyu-style cuisine; PST OKINAWA by the Sea, a beachfront pizzeria recognized by the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand; and Ocean Café for lighter, casual bites. Each venue offers seasonal, ingredient-forward menus paired with polished pacing and graceful hospitality.
Urumo Spa Reception
Built Into the Biosphere
ANA InterContinental's concierge services transcend the hotel grounds, offering personalized coordination to some of the region's most revered landmarks and natural sites. One of the most iconic is Cape Manzamo. The coral cliff was shaped over centuries by crashing waves, now resembling the silhouette of an elephant's trunk. Cape Manzamo is part of Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park, and the resort itself is also located within that same protected zone. Being situated in this ecologically rich area gives guests rare proximity to some of Okinawa's most extraordinary ecosystems. Few treasures are as vital or as vulnerable as its coral reefs.
Cape Manzamo
Becoming Stewards Rather Than Spectators
In 2024, scientists reported that 54% of Japan's coral reefs were affected by bleaching, driven by marine heatwaves intensified by climate change. Okinawa—home to nearly 80% of Japan's coral ecosystems—is among the hardest hit. The same underwater worlds that power Japan's biodiversity, tourism, and coastal protection are turning ghost white. And when the reef dies, the ripple effect reaches far beyond the waterline.
Thankfully, at ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort, conservation is unapologetically woven into the guest experience. In 2018, Onna Village declared itself the 'Coral Village,' pledging to become the world's most coral-friendly community. In response, the resort launched its Coral Conservation Activity Program—a fun, family-friendly initiative that funnels participation fees into reef protection efforts.
Guests can also engage more playfully with the surrounding environment. With over 40 onsite activities, from sunset cruises and beachside SUP yoga to sea kayaking and snorkeling, the resort makes it easy to enjoy the ocean while deepening appreciation for it. Manza Ocean Park, one of Japan's largest ocean playgrounds, offers both thrill and discovery. Even the local flora tells a story; the pandanus, or Adan, once crafted into everyday tools, and the yuuna blossom, honored in Ryukyuan folklore, which blooms for just one day before turning a vivid orange. These elements aren't just ornamental; they're part of the living ecosystem guests are invited to honor.
Manza Ocean Park
Japan's First Green Fins–Certified Resort
Since 2021, ANA InterContinental Manza Beach has participated in the international Green Fins program (a joint effort by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and The Reef-World Foundation), becoming the first hotel in Japan to receive official certification for adhering to best environmental practices in diving and snorkeling. One of the most engaging experiences under that initiative is the Submarine Jr. II, which submerges guests into the coral regeneration zone: a controlled marine area where over 2,400 individual coral colonies are being monitored and restored. While standard glass-bottom boats offer only a surface skim, Submarine Jr. II's glass-encased lower deck positions guests just below the ocean's surface. From this unique vantage point, passengers can spot a variety of over 4,000 species of fish, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, clownfish—and even the occasional sea turtle gliding through the reef's crystal-clear corridors.
Submarine Jr. II
Submarine Jr. II Interior
Partnering with marine biologists and local stakeholders, the resort is helping nurse underwater ecosystems back to health. Its Coral Conservation Activity Program not only supports reef restoration but also runs targeted beach and underwater clean-ups. Specialized dive teams collect marine debris from the shoreline and reef areas—ensuring a cleaner ocean environment and a more mindful guest experience.
Submarine Jr. II
This isn't a performative gimmick for tourists. It's science-backed stewardship, and a model more coastal resorts should adopt before climate change turns their beachfronts into liability zones. Coral reefs reduce wave energy by up to 97%, according to Nature Communications. They protect shorelines, support a quarter of all marine life, and are deeply embedded into a region's cultural identity. When we lose coral, we don't just lose a natural wonder; we lose protection, provision, and personhood. As carbon dioxide builds in the atmosphere, oceans absorb much of it. This causes acidification, weakening coral skeletons and making them more vulnerable to disease. Rising sea temperatures compound the damage, triggering bleaching events that cause coral to expel their life-giving algae. Without intervention, the reef dies.
Coral Nurseries
In 2023, Okinawa endured consecutive months of sea temperatures above 30°C (86°F)—a death sentence for most native coral species. When the reef collapses, so does the local economy. Tourism accounts for over 26% of Okinawa's GDP. Fishing also sustains tens of thousands of families. And amid a rise in super-typhoons, the reef's natural protection has never been more critical.
Ana InterContinental Manza Beach Resort
Shaping the Future of Hospitality
What sets ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort apart isn't just that they're courageously responding to this crisis—it's that they're equipping guests with the knowledge and tools to help make a tangible difference. Educational tours guide visitors through coral nurseries and restoration labs. Expert staff explain the science in ways that connect marine health to daily life. Where most luxury resorts seal guests off from such harrowing realities, this hotel has committed to being a partner in preservation. From reef restoration and responsible recreation to plant-based fine dining and personalized care, ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort proves that pleasure, when rooted in purpose, can help protect the planet.
Disclosure: The contributor was invited to Okinawa, Japan as a guest of ANA InterContinental Manza Beach. All opinions and views expressed are entirely her own.