Scuba Diving in Okinawa, Japan
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Why Okinawa Had Been on My Diving Wish List
November 2025
Okinawa has been on my mind since I was a kid. Blame Karate Kid, and later Cobra Kai. I know they were not actually filmed here, but the idea of Okinawa stuck with me. So when the chance finally came to visit and dive here, I jumped at it.
Sitting far to the south of mainland Japan, Okinawa and its surrounding islands are known for warm tropical water, vibrant reefs, and an incredible mix of marine life. The region is influenced by the Kuroshio current, which brings warm, nutrient-rich water and supports hundreds of coral species. With dramatic drop-offs, reefs full of colour, and everything from turtles to reef sharks, it is easy to see why divers travel from all over the world to explore this part of Japan.
What you see underwater changes with the seasons and the islands you choose to dive. Some areas are known for manta rays, others for healthy coral gardens, while places like Yonaguni are famous for hammerheads and the mysterious underwater ruins. The Kerama Islands offer some of the clearest water in Okinawa, and the USS Emmons remains one of Japan’s most well-known wreck dives.
Diving here is possible year-round. Water temperatures range from the low twenties in winter to the high twenties in summer, and each season brings something different. Winter can be chilly on the boat but offers whale song in the distance. Spring and early summer bring comfortable conditions, while late summer to early autumn sees typhoons that can affect visibility and travel plans. As long as you keep an eye on the weather, Okinawa offers great diving across most of the year.
For this trip, we planned to visit in November. Cooler weather, good visibility and plenty to see. That was the plan, at least. A week before we were due to travel, a typhoon started forming near the Philippines and slowly worked its way north towards Taiwan and Okinawa. With flights already booked, we decided to go and hope the forecast improved. Some plans changed, but we still managed to get in the water, and what we saw made the trip well worth it.
Getting to Okinawa
Our trip to Okinawa started with an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Hong Kong. We wanted a couple of days in the city before flying on to Japan, and it worked well. Immigration in Hong Kong was quick for UK passport holders, and the Airport Express train got us to Kowloon Station in about twenty five minutes. Finding the Uber pick up point took a bit of hunting, but we eventually tracked it down and headed to my budget hotel.
Hong Kong was a fun stopover. I stayed at HK Tai San Guest House, a typical Kowloon-style setup where old office units have been converted into compact hotel rooms. It was nothing fancy, but it was clean, air conditioned and exactly what we needed for a short stay.
Most of our time was spent out exploring the city rather than sitting in the room. We ate great food and enjoyed a few cheap beers with the locals in the evenings around Chungking Mansions. It does have a certain reputation, but I found it full of character, energy and some brilliant little food spots. As long as you keep your wits about you, it is a fascinating place to experience and very different from the polished side of Hong Kong. It is worth having a quick Google beforehand so you know what to expect.
After two nights we took the A21 Cityflyer airport bus back to Hong Kong International Airport. It stopped right outside the hotel and was much easier than juggling the train and an Uber. Our flight to Okinawa took around two and a half hours. Immigration at Naha Airport was smooth, and as a UK citizen I did not need a visa.
From the airport, we booked an Uber to Chatan, which sits about forty five minutes up the coast. It is a popular area due to the nearby US military base and has plenty of dive centres, restaurants and shops. The ride was a bit pricier than Malaysia or Hong Kong, but worth it for the convenience after travelling.
Dive Experience in Okinawa
Before arriving in Okinawa, I spent quite a bit of time researching dive centres in the Chatan area. I eventually went with Aloha Divers Okinawa, a well run and welcoming shop led by Brazilian instructors who are passionate about showing visitors the best of the island’s underwater world. They teach in English, Portuguese and Japanese and offer everything from snorkelling and fun dives to full courses and speciality trips.
They run excursions to many of the well known sites around Okinawa, including the Kerama Islands, Minna and Sesoko, Manza and Blue Cave, as well as seasonal trips to see manta rays, hammerheads and winter whales. Communication was excellent from the start. Nami kept me up to date throughout the booking process and made sure I knew exactly what to expect, especially once the approaching typhoon forced a few changes to the original plan. Although the Kerama dives were cancelled, the team handled everything smoothly and diving off the main island still went ahead.
Sesoko Island and Gorilla Chop
We were collected from my hotel in Chatan and taken to the jetty for a short boat trip to Sesoko Island. The rain came and went but once we were in the water the visibility was surprisingly good. There was no current and it turned into a relaxed first dive with plenty to see. After 45 minutes we surfaced and headed back to the boat for a break.
The second dive of the day was at Gorilla Chop, a busy and well known spot beneath a pier. It is popular with learners and shore divers, so there was plenty of activity on the surface, but once underwater the site really came to life. A huge school of sardines moved around the pillars and the shallows were full of macro subjects. Pikachu nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, moth fish and Shaun the Sheep nudibranchs kept us busy throughout the dive.
The only challenge was the fine sand. With so many divers in the area, keeping a clear shot for photos took some patience, but it was still very manageable and great fun.
After the second dive we were dropped back at the hotel for a quiet evening and a well earned rest.
Seragaki and a Pygmy Seahorse Encounter
Day two began at Seragaki Fishing Port, where a shared dive boat was waiting. The trip to the sites was short and easy, although the rain still came and went. I had started to come down with a cold, which made equalising more difficult than usual.
On the first dive my right ear struggled, so I took things slowly and stayed a little shallower. There was a pygmy seahorse on the site and I managed to reach the sea fan comfortably, but my mask kept fogging which made photography tricky. After a gentle ascent and plenty of time to clear the ear, we returned to shore for a break.
The second dive was at Mini Dream Hole. My ear felt better, so I decided to give it a go. Conditions were lovely with great visibility, turtles in the blue and a few nice nudibranch finds. There was a small swim through which I tackled slowly, and although my ear felt the pressure again, it cleared without drama.
The weather looked miserable on the surface but underwater it was far better than expected.
When a Cold Catches Up With You
I should not have dived on the third day. My cold had worsened overnight, but stubbornness got the better of me. We were collected as usual and taken back to Seragaki for two more planned sites around the corner.
The weather still looked fine and the short boat ride out was calm. I had also taken seasickness tablets, as I always do when a boat is involved, so what followed on the dive was definitely not seasickness.
On the descent of the first dive I felt uncomfortable almost straight away. The rest of the group continued deeper to look for sharks while I stayed at around twenty five metres. I felt dizzy and started using air faster than normal, partly because the steel tank was smaller. Even when we reached ten metres on the way back, the off balance feeling was still there. During the safety stop I thought I might be sick in my regulator.
Once back on the boat I knew the second dive was not happening. I skipped it completely and slept in the van while the others headed back out. I felt awful and it was obvious that diving with a cold had been a mistake. It was a solid reminder not to get in the water when you are congested, no matter how much you want to dive.
Thoughts on the Dive Centre
Despite the weather and the unfortunate timing of my cold, the team at Aloha Divers were great throughout the trip. Their communication was clear, the guides were friendly and the pick ups and logistics ran smoothly. The only point I fed back was that the dive masters took their own camera rigs on fun dives. This is meant to help guests who want reminders of what they saw, but as we had our own cameras, it sometimes meant they spent longer with subjects than we felt comfortable doing. Aside from that, they were helpful, knowledgeable and a pleasure to dive with.
Where I Stayed in Chatan
For the Okinawa part of the trip, we booked Hotel Sunset Terrace in Chatan and it turned out to be a brilliant choice. The room was huge, with a massive TV, a fridge freezer, a balcony and the most brilliant invention of all… a Japanese toilet seat in the WC. The shower room also doubled as a steam room, which was perfect after a day in the water.
The location was spot on too. It was close to the sea, several surfing spots and the nearby military airfield. You could watch an amazing range of aircraft flying in and out of the base, either from the room or while walking along the sea wall, which made it quite a unique place to stay.
The hotel offered free tea and coffee in the reception area along with soft drinks, and there were water machines on every floor which was handy. They didn’t serve breakfast but right next door was a great little bagel place called Wake and Bagels. It is well worth a visit and served some cracking food to start the day.
Food, Bars and Shopping in Chatan
After diving, we kept things simple and ate close to the hotel. Our favourite spot was Splash03 along the Miyagi Coast. It is a relaxed cafe and bar with great local food and a friendly vibe. We had a few pints of the local Orion beer there and it quickly became my go to place after a long day underwater. It was closed for my last two nights, otherwise we would have been back.
When Splash03 was shut, we tried Sidelines, the sports bar round the corner. It was welcoming, served decent bar food and had a friendly crowd, including plenty of US troops from the nearby base.
On the final night we went to BBQ Style Food Wood, which was excellent. They smoke their pulled pork and brisket, use their own marinades and even blend their own taco dough. If you want something hearty with loads of flavour, it is well worth a visit.
Chatan also has plenty of small coffee shops and local eateries within walking distance, so it is easy to mix things up.
Before wrapping up our stay in Chatan, we took a walk to American Village. It is a lively area with shops, restaurants and bars, and a great place to catch the sunset. After a wander around, we grabbed a taxi and headed to Naha for the final part of the trip.
A Few Nights in Naha
After finishing the diving in Chatan, we booked a couple of nights in Naha to clear our no fly time. There is a bus from Chatan, but for simplicity we grabbed an Uber. We stayed at Almont Hotel Naha Omoromachi. Prices are higher in the city, but the reviews were solid and it was close to the monorail, which made getting to the airport very easy. The hotel also had an onsen, which quickly became one of my favourite parts of the stay. Nothing beats a good soak after a day of walking. You come out feeling spotless.
Naha turned out to be a great stop. On the first first night we found a brilliant sports bar called The Westside, owned and run by a lovely husband and wife team who made us feel right at home. We sat there for happy hour watching sumo on the TV followed by Japan in a World Cup qualifier. It was a cracking evening with a proper friendly vibe.
The next day we set off on foot and ended up walking miles. On the way, we visited the Tamaudun Visitor Centre to learn more about the royal mausoleum and its ongoing preservation work. From there we continued on to Shuri Castle, which is still undergoing major restoration following the 2019 fire. Even with parts of the site covered, it is a fascinating place to explore and offers a great insight into the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the care being taken with the reconstruction.
From Shuri, we carried on to Shikina-en Royal Gardens, a beautiful and peaceful spot with a mix of Japanese and Chinese design influences. The garden is centred around a spring-fed pond, framed by coral limestone walls, stone monuments left by Chinese envoys, an arched bridge and a hexagonal pavilion. It is a calm, historic place and well worth the walk.
After the gardens, we headed back into central Naha and wandered along Kokusai-dori shopping street. It is full of quirky shops, retro stalls, great places to eat and plenty of spots to stop for a drink. Later on, we found ourselves back at The Westside for more friendly banter and another couple of pints.
Naha is a brilliant stop for a few nights, with loads of atmosphere and very welcoming locals. The following day we took the monorail to the airport, which was quick and easy. Before leaving, I picked up a touristy Orion Draft t-shirt and a pair of SPAM flip flops from Lawson. SPAM is huge in Okinawa, and yes, I love it. Having SPAM fritters every day was a bonus.
Diving in Okinawa, Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Diving in Okinawa is genuinely worth the trip. It is pricier than other parts of Asia, though not quite at Galapagos levels, but some of that comes down to the pound not stretching as far as it used to. Even so, the diving, scenery and culture make it a unique part of Japan to explore.
I have visited Tokyo and toured the main highlights before, yet Okinawa felt completely different. The islands have their own atmosphere, their own history and a slower pace that makes the whole experience stand out. I would go back without hesitation, especially to dive the islands I missed this time and to see more of the north of the main island, which is absolutely beautiful.
There is also a quirky mix of influences. The presence of the US military bases shapes the towns in a way you do not see elsewhere in Japan, yet at the same time the deep Okinawan heritage is everywhere, from the food to the architecture to the stories behind the historic sites. It makes the place fascinating to explore both above and below the surface.
Okinawa is a great dive destination and an even better travel experience. I am already planning the return trip.
Okinawa Dive Gallery
A few highlights from my dives around Okinawa. Even with mixed weather, the visibility held up and the reefs were full of life. From sardine clouds at Gorilla Chop to tiny macro critters tucked into the corals, it was a great mix of wide angle and macro moments and plenty to point the camera at.
