Question about diving Yonaguni

[jbd]

I have looked at acoupe of websites about Yonaguni and have seen the History Channels show on TV. It is apparent that there is a pretty good current there.

Does anyone know what the speed of the current is there? 1 knot, 2 knots, 3 knots or more?

 

[japan-diver]

Current speed varies day to day and with tides and a few factors that even the locals haven't figured out yet but -

Have been there on days with just a little current 1/2 knot or so and on other days its rippings at 3+ (can not even hold position against it, regs purges when facing it, mask gets pulled off face when facing away from it, we even had one day when one of our very experiencied photographers got pinned upside down against the wall by the current and couldn't move). At some of the points have called off dives before entering because the current was just two strong- whirlpools at the surface actually pushing the boat around (55ft cruiser)- this particular spot is a pinnacle where we dive with sharks.

Average current on the main monument site (Iseki Point) is right about 1 knot.
Average on the pinnacles a bit higher.
Average on the "Stage" 1/2 knot or less

All dives are live boat, all safety stops are blue water drifts.

 

[jbd]

Current speed varies day to day and with tides and a few factors that even the locals haven't figured out yet but -

Have been there on days with just a little current 1/2 knot or so and on other days its rippings at 3+ (can not even hold position against it, regs purges when facing it, mask gets pulled off face when facing away from it, we even had one day when one of our very experiencied photographers got pinned upside down against the wall by the current and couldn't move). At some of the points have called off dives before entering because the current was just two strong- whirlpools at the surface actually pushing the boat around (55ft cruiser)- this particular spot is a pinnacle where we dive with sharks.

Average current on the main monument site (Iseki Point) is right about 1 knot.
Average on the pinnacles a bit higher.
Average on the "Stage" 1/2 knot or less

All dives are live boat, all safety stops are blue water drifts.

Thanks for the info and I have one more question, although it is not dive related. What is the primary language on Okinawa? I have found out there is a true Okinawan language but saw something about it giving way to regular Japanese.

 

[japan-diver]

Okinawans speak Japanese for day to day stuff but many still speak Okinawan at home (especially the older folk, fisherman) The slang still has a lot of the native tongue in it and the farther south you go the more Okinawan it gets.

 

[jbd]

Okinawans speak Japanese for day to day stuff but many still speak Okinawan at home (especially the older folk, fisherman) The slang still has a lot of the native tongue in it and the farther south you go the more Okinawan it gets.

Again, thanks for the info.

You wouldn't mind sending me some info on a three day trip to Yonaguni would you?