A former girlfriend's father is from Okinawa. He had offered to take me there several times as he returns to visit family frequently. It is a location I would enjoy diving at in the future.
Come to Okinawa, Japan for World Class Diving
- Thread starter Baracuda Smile
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Nesher
Contributor
Thanks for that information..........
OP
I have lived in Okinawa, Japan since 1997 and I only speak a few words of Japanese. Both of my kids speak Japanese. I have had a very little problem getting around, ordering food, or making travel arrangments since I have lived here. The Okinawan's are very helpful. Of course this is my personal opinion.
Baracuda Smile
OP
Temps in the summer can be 84F on the surface and 82F at 60 feet. In the winter temps get into the low 70's. I have dove for years on Okinawa in a 3mm, in the summer I dive in a swim suit. I did see a box jelly fish so a rash guard is recomended in the summer. Surf and Tides can be challenging at varrious sites especially diving from shore. It is recomended to have a local diver show you the sites, since they know the typical currents and conditions.
Any time after June though November the water is 3mm or less for 90% of the divers, however this is also typhoon (huricaine) season. Okinawa is very safe for enduring super typhoons however you can not dive in a typhoon. In the winter diving is still good with great visibility. In Feb, and March you can dive with Humpbacks, and possibly see sea turtles migration to shore to lay their eggs. You can go out on any of the Okinawan dive shops, or try Reef Encounters, which has an English speaking staff.
You still may be signed onto post by an active duty member. Do you have any friends stationed out here?
I know of numberous skippers, it is all about nogociating a price. Of course the more people you get on the boat the cheeper the boat becomes. Cost of fuel is hitting the Japanese harder than it is hitting the American's so be prepared to pay.
OP
Can you remember what year that was that you got certified at Kin Red? The reason I asked is that we still dive Kin Red, but it is one of the sad stories on Okinawa. I have dove hundreds of sites in Okinawa, and have seen new animals and have seen corals growing on man made features, but in Kin Red the red clay run off has killed most of the coral. We still see lion fish, octopus, and some coral but not like what you have discribed. We still see huge rays. I saw an eagle ray of the coast near the sand islands, and many small sting rays in the Keramas.
OP
For 8 years my S.O. was a wonderful Japanese-American woman (and she still is... we have remained friends). Her father was born and raised on Okinawa and Palau. He often suggested I should go to Okinawa with him when he returned to honor his ancestors. I wish I had (although he'd probably still welcome me).
So many places to dive, so little time... or money given the current value of the US$.
Oops, just notice I'd already posted something nearly identical here a month ago... chalk it up to Old Timers.
So many places to dive, so little time... or money given the current value of the US$.
Oops, just notice I'd already posted something nearly identical here a month ago... chalk it up to Old Timers.
OP
Dr. Bill I know everyone is feeling the economic crunch. The exchange rate is $1 = 150 Yen which is about what it has averaged for the last ten years. It might be worth while to strike up a friendship with this Okinawan as I found the Okinawan's very hospitipal. I know what you are saying about old timers as I have been around for a while myself. In two weeks I am traveling to the southern Ryukus to visit the Yonaguni ruins. By some estimates these ruins are 10,000 years old and were constructed before that last ice age. Many scientist do not want to acept this to be the oldest manmade monument on the face of the planet as it would rewrite achient history. he monuments sit in over 65' of water with excellent vis. In Feb and Mar there are 100's schooling hammerheads. Read more at: The Morien Institute - Exclusive Interview with Professor Masaaki Kimura about the underwater pyramid structures discovered off Yonaguni-Jima, Japan Okinawa Diving - Reef Encounters - Go Diving in Okinawa with Reef Encounters! English and Japanese speaking full service dive shop. and Yonaguni I plan to spend 10 days diving the monuments, Iromote, and Ishagaki. If you come to Okinawa, look me up and I can take you shore diving.
I visited Okinawa nearly 30 years ago, on a trip with the US Air Force, and ran into a guy I had gone to USAF Tech School with. He suggested I pick up some snorkeling gear at the BX, and we did some freediving around the island. It was beautiful, as you say, and I had a great time and saw some wonderful sights. I was very impressed by the people of Okinawa, and spending time in the water sure beat the heck out of spending time in the bar districts off-base the way many of the military men did.
I wouldn't mind going back for another visit someday, particularly if my wife and I go ahead with the scuba lessons.
I wouldn't mind going back for another visit someday, particularly if my wife and I go ahead with the scuba lessons.
Bill_PNW_Diver
Contributor
Hi Baracuda,
My original certification was February of 1991. I remember seeing lionfish and seasnakes at Kin Red but if my memory serves me correctly the Manta experience was at a site near Kadina. It was at a spot where the Navy had blown chanels through the coral for landing craft.
I'll dig out my old dive log and see if I wrote down the site name.
Is Larry's still around? I tried googleing the shop a few months ago but couldn't find it.
Bill
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