Quick Okinawa Info
Diving Spots |
Updated on : March 31, 2005 |
All of Okinawa is a dive spot, especially the renowned clear waters of the Kerama Islands
There are more good diving spots in Okinawa than one can possibly list. The leading spot on Okinawa Island is probably Maeda Point in Onna Village. Entry is down a flight of steps and safe even for beginners. There is boat diving at Chibishi in southern Okinawa Island. The coral colonies here are Okinawa's best and the ocean floor is really interesting, with a sand bottom and caves. Zanpa Cape in Yomitan Village offers a dramatic drop off, especially good for beach diving. The water just off the cape is 60 meters deep, though, so this is a spot best left to advanced divers. You might very well see turtles or dogtooth tuna or bream while diving at Nakijin North Point in Nakijin Village. Off Chatan Town, you'll see many colorful fish. The tide flow here is mild, making it a good place for novices.
Ishigaki offers many good spots. There's a very good chance you'll encounter manta rays at Kabira's Manta Scramble. Oganzaki Cape, where lots of animal fish are spotted, is another good place. Iriomote Island, the second largest island in Okinawa after Okinawa Island itself, is a coral reef treasure house. There are many good spots including the "Manta Way", where mantas hover.
You can see Japan's highest quality coral colony at Miyako Island. Tori-ike pond on Miyako Island leads right into the ocean. Entry here is from the seaward side of the pond.
The Kerama Islands are an hour from Naha by ship. Boasting some of the world's clearest waters, they are a magnet for divers from all over. You'll find fish of all kinds at Tokashiki Island's Sanbon-ne. It's fun to feed them. Jitsuru Island is along a migratory fish route. You'll often meet schools of rainbow runners and bonito here. At Gahi-ura on Zamami Island, the water level varies from 6 to 20 meters. This area also has fish of many kinds. There is also whale watching to enjoy in the winter and spring months.
Many migrating fish like dogtooth tuna and others can be seen at Kume Island's beautiful Hate no Hama, where the sea bottom is rich and varied. The undersea ruins off Japan's westernmost island, Yonaguni, have become world-famous. The Kuroshio, or Japan Current, flows through here, so migrating fish are plentiful. In the wintertime, hammerhead shark encounters are common. At Minami Daito Island, large migrating fish will be seen. You can have fun diving at nearly all of Okinawa's outer islands.
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