Explore Okinawa
Okinawa, a renowned dive destination in Japan, offers an enchanting underwater experience that captivates divers from around the world. The region is celebrated for its vibrant coral reefs, where tropical fish paint a vivid tapestry beneath the waves. With its remarkable visibility, divers can explore this aquatic wonderland with ease, making every dive a memorable adventure. The Kerama Islands are particularly popular, boasting extensive coral reefs and intriguing sunken battleships, accessible by a short boat ride from Okinawa’s main island. The unique underwater landscapes around Miyakojima feature complex terrains with large halls, awe-inspiring arches, and expansive caves, providing a diverse range of dive styles from shore to boat dives. Ishigaki Island is famed for its mesmerizing wildlife encounters, where graceful manta rays glide effortlessly by. Meanwhile, Yonaguni Island offers a thrilling dive among undersea ruins, with the occasional sighting of majestic hammerhead sharks providing an unforgettable highlight. With such diverse offerings, Okinawa stands out as a premier dive location, promising both seasoned and novice divers an exceptional and varied underwater journey.
Top Okinawa Dive Sites
Blue Cave
Known for its stunning blue light, Blue Cave offers both scuba and freediving opportunities. Divers encounter vibrant marine life such as clownfish and coral reefs. It is suitable for easy to intermediate divers and features a breathtaking underwater cave experience.
USS Emmons
A technical dive site, the USS Emmons wreck is an advanced dive that attracts those interested in WWII history. Divers can explore the well-preserved wreck while encountering barracudas and large groupers. Scuba diving is recommended for this site.
Kerama Islands
This marine park is a paradise for scuba divers of all levels, featuring colorful coral gardens and diverse marine life, including sea turtles and nudibranchs. The area is protected, making it an ecological haven with excellent visibility.
Yabiji
Yabiji, the largest coral reef in Japan, offers a unique drift diving experience. The site is suitable for intermediate divers and teems with a variety of corals and tropical fish. Its extensive reef formations are a highlight for underwater photographers.
Sunabe Seawall
Ideal for both scuba and freediving, Sunabe Seawall is an easy dive site with vibrant coral gardens and a plethora of marine life like parrotfish and moray eels. Night dives offer a different view of its bustling aquatic community.