Diving the Kerama Islands – Japan’s No.1 dive destination

You are about to discover a true gem – the diving at Kerama Islands!

Have you ever dived in Japan? With the exception of the Japanese, most people might answer “No”. In fact, most people may not have even thought about diving in Japan. But Japan has some of the clearest and most beautiful waters in the world. It boasts rich coral reefs and a variety of fish. Let’s take a look at some of the little-known and fascinating aspects of diving in Japan.

 

Japan’s No.1 dive site

In Japan, you can enjoy various types of diving depending on the season and location. You can dive in lakes and ice floes, not to mention the ocean. But the most popular dive site that I would recommend is, without a doubt, the Kerama Islands. 

The Kerama Islands are located in Okinawa Prefecture, at the southernmost tip of Japan. They are located roughly 40km west of Okinawa Main Island and consist of approximately 20 islands of various sizes. It is a rich coral habitat, a spawning ground for sea turtles and a breeding ground for humpback whales. That is why it has been designated as a national park. Not only can you dive throughout the year with its mild climate, but there are more than 100 dive sites. This allows beginners and advanced divers alike to enjoy diving continuously.

Here are seven reasons why the Kerama Islands are such a great dive site. After reading this article, I’m sure you will want to plan a dive in Kerama!

 

7 reasons why diving in the Kerama Islands is FASCINATING

 

1. The waters of Kerama are some of the clearest in the world. Its clarity averages 20 to 30 meters. On a good summer day it is over 50 meters, which is spectacular to see. This beautiful, crystal clear sea is called “Kerama Blue”, and many divers are fascinated by the scenery.

 

2. The Kerama Islands are home to more than 200 species of coral. The vibrant coral reefs attract colorful fish to form a rich ecosystem.

 

3. You can easily encounter sea turtles. The Kerama Islands are also famous for being a spawning ground for sea turtles. It is not uncommon to find green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles and loggerhead turtles while diving. Some of them are very friendly. So you may be able to swim with them for a long time and even take some great pictures.

 

4. Of course, you can meet the classical favorites too. In Kerama, you can see various kinds of anemonefish. You will encounter lionfish, moray eels, whitetip reef shark, and other popular sea creatures.

 

5. You can spot schools of fish as well as big fish. Depending on the location and season, you may find schools of fish like bigeye trevally, or big fish like giant trevally and manta ray. However, the current is usually very fast in these places, and they are not recommended for beginners.

 

6. Macro divers will have fun too. There are many different kinds of nudibranchs, small shrimps and crabs, gobies, and many other creatures. If you book with a dive shop that specializes in macro diving, you will be able to see many more macro creatures.

 

7. You can enjoy the stunning topography. There are not only coral reefs and sandy areas, but also drop-offs and caves, making it a good choice for topography divers. Although not large, you can also find a few shipwrecks.

 

Diving Conditions in the Kerama Islands

You can enjoy diving in the Kerama Islands throughout the year. The water temperature is at its highest in the summer from July to September at around 27°C. It is at its lowest from January to March somewhere in the range of 21°C.

The best time to go diving is in the summer. However, be aware that the period from June to October is typhoon season and flights and boats may be cancelled. Winter is a bit chilly, but it is the time when the humpback whales come to the islands. And if you are lucky, you can enjoy whale watching from a boat.

 

How to get to the Kerama Islands 

First, come to Naha, Okinawa via Tokyo or directly. There are two ways to go diving in the Kerama Islands.

One is to use a dive store in Naha and enjoy a day trip to Kerama. It takes about an hour each way to get to the Kerama Islands. This option is recommended for people with a short time to stay, as this is easy to do on a day trip. There are hundreds of dive stores in Naha, so you can find one that suits your preference. Whether you are a beginner, veteran, photo enthusiast, macro diver, or English-speaking, there’s something for everyone.

The other way is to take a ferry from Tomari Port in Naha to one of the local islands Tokashiki, Zamami, or Aka Island. There you can dive with a local dive center. This will not be a day trip, but an overnight stay on the island. That is why it is recommended for those who have plenty of time.

The Kerama islands still have traditional Okinawan culture, and you can enjoy a laid-back, local trip.

So when things get back to normal, why not add diving in the Kerama Islands to your travel plan? I am sure you will love it!

 

About the author

Erika Miura is a Japanese underwater photographer. She is currently photographing the colourful underwater world, mainly in the seas of Japan. Erika received an honorable mention in Ocean Art 2020.