Scuba Diving in Okinawa
Okinawa is well-known as Japan's top dive destination. Nourished by the rich Kuroshio Current, the sea surrounding its 160 islands is home to a rich variety of marine life.
Okinawa Island offers many spots for beginner, including Cape Maeda, Sunabe, and "Gorilla Chop", where you can observe hundreds of species of fish including clownfish, huge Napoleon Wrasse, and even majestic manta rays swimming by. Many of its dive sites are also accessible even for first-timers with easy "fun dives". A ferry-ride away is the Kerama islands group, where you can spot and watch Hawksbill Turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales.
Other amazing dive spots include Taketomi island’s underwater hot spring and Ishigaki Island with its famous manta rays at Cape Kabira. For advanced divers, you can head over to Yonaguni Island’s famed "underwater monument" – a mysterious rocky structure that some believe is an Okinawan "Atlantis".
Okinawa offers something for everyone, from beginners to experts, and the best dive season is summer from July to September. Even in the cooler months (December-March), the water remains at a comfortable 20-25ºC. For more details on diving in Okinawa, just visit Diving Guide | VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN.
