Okinawa Prefecture dive sites
Japan · Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions.
Best Season
April to November, April-November, November to May
Skill Levels
beginner, advanced
Nearby Cities
Miyakojima, Naha, Yonaguni, Zamami
All dive sites
Kerama Blue Zamami
Zamami · Okinawa Prefecture · Japan
Crystal-clear waters nicknamed Kerama Blue surround Zamami Island's coral gardens, where green sea turtles glide over pristine staghorn formations and humpback whales pass through during winter months.
Miyakojima Yabiji Coral Reef
Miyakojima · Okinawa Prefecture · Japan
Japan's largest coral reef system north of Miyako Island in Okinawa, featuring over 100 reef patches with pristine table corals, manta ray cleaning stations, and some of the clearest water in the Japanese archipelago.
Okinawa Blue Cave Cape Maeda
Naha · Okinawa Prefecture · Japan
A sea cave on Okinawa's western coast where sunlight refracting through the underwater entrance creates an ethereal blue glow inside the cavern, accessible to snorkellers and divers alike and home to colourful tropical reef fish and marine crustaceans.
Yonaguni Monument
Yonaguni · Okinawa Prefecture · Japan
A mysterious underwater rock formation off Japan's westernmost island featuring terraced platforms, sharp right-angled edges, and channel-like passages that have sparked decades of debate over natural versus man-made origins.
Diving in Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture offers reef, cave, wall dive sites across 4 locations. Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions before planning your dive.
FAQ
How do I get to Zamami Island?
Zamami is reached by high-speed ferry from Naha's Tomari Port on the main island of Okinawa. The Queen Zamami express ferry takes approximately 50 minutes, while the slower Zamami Ferry takes around two hours. Ferries run twice daily during peak season and once daily in winter. Advance booking is strongly recommended during Golden Week and summer holidays, as services sell out quickly.
When is the best time to see humpback whales?
Humpback whales visit the Kerama Islands between January and March to breed and calve in the warm shallow waters. While whale-watching boats offer surface viewing, divers occasionally hear whale song underwater during this period. The best diving conditions for coral and turtle encounters run from April through November, when water temperatures are warmest and visibility peaks.
What certification do I need for Kerama Blue?
An Open Water certification is sufficient for the majority of Zamami dive sites, which range from 5 to 20 metres over gentle coral slopes. Advanced Open Water is recommended for deeper wall dives reaching 30 metres on the outer reef edges. Currents are generally mild around Zamami, making it an excellent destination for newer divers building experience.
How do I get to Miyakojima?
Miyakojima has its own airport with direct flights from Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Kansai, and Naha in Okinawa. Flight time from Tokyo is approximately 3 hours. From Naha, the flight is about 45 minutes. The island has a well-developed tourism infrastructure with numerous hotels, dive shops, and restaurants. Dive boats to Yabiji reef depart from the north coast of Miyako Island, with the crossing taking about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the specific reef patch being visited.
What makes Yabiji different from other Okinawa dive sites?
Yabiji is distinguished by its sheer scale and coral coverage. While many Okinawa dive sites offer excellent individual reef walls or pinnacles, Yabiji is an enormous reef platform covering roughly 25 square kilometers, with over 100 distinct reef patches offering endless variety. The coral coverage, particularly table and staghorn corals, is among the healthiest in Japan. The reef's exposure to the open Pacific and the influence of the Kuroshio Current produce visibility that often exceeds 30 meters, significantly better than many sheltered Okinawan sites.