Let’s try diving on Okinawa Main Island!
Diving is one of the most popular activities, perfect for enjoying the beautiful ocean of Okinawa.
There are various types of Diving, but diving with a tank filled with air on your back is generally called scuba diving.
On the other hand, diving while holding your breath is called freediving, and this article will introduce scuba diving.
For amateur divers, the dive depth is 40 meters, and the dive time is about 3.5 hours.
However, the average dive depth for introductory and leisure divers is 20 meters, and the maximum continuous dive time is 45 minutes.
Compared to snorkeling, a lot more equipment is required, and many people imagine it is specialized and complicated.
There are introductory diving tours that can be enjoyed casually; even those without a license can participate.
However, this does not mean that you should be complacent.
Diving is a much deeper dive than snorkeling, and at the same time, it can be dangerous.
Listen carefully to your instructor before you begin, and enjoy the experience safely!
Types of Diving Tours
Introductory Diving
Introductory Diving is a great way to discover the fascination of Diving, even if you do not have a Diving license.
There is a break every few minutes, and the dive is conducted in relatively shallow water (up to 10 meters).
Even if you are not a confident swimmer, you can easily participate.
Fun Diving
Fun Diving is a type of Diving that license holders can do.
There are various levels of Diving, and the depths you can dive in vary depending on the level.
The “Open Water (OW)” is the gateway to the license.
Once you have obtained the OW license, you can enjoy fun Diving.
Compared to Introductory Diving, Fun Diving is more difficult because you must attend a training course and take an exam to obtain a license. Still, you can swim in deeper water than in Introductory Diving.
Diving Entry Methods
Beach Entry Diving
As the name suggests, beach entry diving is diving from the beach into the ocean.
No particular diving method is required, and you can enjoy diving as if you are swimming in the sea.
Most Diving is done in relatively shallow waters and is especially recommended for those who are not confident swimmers or those who are a little afraid of deep dives.
Boat Entry Diving
Boat Entry Diving is a dive where you go out to sea on a boat and dive at a depth of 5 meters or more.
Since you take the boat to the point, you can enjoy untouched corals and tropical fishes compared to beach entry diving.
It is recommended for those who are no longer satisfied with shallow areas.
Attractions of Diving Tours in Okinawa Main Island
Coral reefs
Coral reefs are the main attraction of Diving in Okinawa Main Island.
With them, Okinawa’s rich marine ecosystem is complete.
Okinawa is one of the few places in Japan where you can enjoy colorful coral reefs.
Let’s enjoy the natural coral reefs.
Tropical Fish
Another feature of Okinawa’s ocean is that you can see tropical fish that you would never see in the mainland seas.
While diving, you will feel as if you are in a beautiful aquarium tank.
Clownfish are especially popular.
You may see sea turtles, manta rays, and other large creatures if lucky.
Superior transparency of the ocean
Okinawa can boast the ocean’s excellent transparency to the world.
Weather permitting, you can see as far as 30 meters underwater.
Many divers from all over the world visit Okinawa every year to see these crystal clear waters.
Diving can be enjoyed year-round in Okinawa.
Some beaches in Okinawa are closed to swimming from November to April, but Diving can be enjoyed all year round.
Even in the middle of winter, the water temperature rarely drops below 20°C, and you can enjoy diving comfortably if you wear a wetsuit.
In winter, there are fewer tourists than in summer, so that you can enjoy your trip comfortably.
It is also attractive that hotels and airline tickets are cheaper during the winter season.
What to wear, what to bring, and what to rent for diving tours in Okinawa Main Island
What to wear for diving tours in Okinawa Main Island
| Clothing | swimsuit, sandals, rash guard, light jacket, etc. |
What to bring on a diving tour to Okinawa Main Island
| Personal belongings | towel, drink, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera (waterproof recommended), anti-seasickness medicine, etc. |
Rental equipment for Okinawa Main Island diving tours
| Rental equipment | mask, fins, wet suit, regulator, weights, and all other equipment necessary for Diving. (Equipment rental may be charged for fun diving tours.) |
