Seeking dive shop recommendations Okinawa

[90to90]

Hi all,
I will be fulfilling a life-long dream and travelling to Japan in October. I have plans to visit Miyakojima and Ishigaki during that time, and can't wait for all the diving. Would appreciate recommendations for English-speaking dive operators on those islands, favorite dive sites, and things to do out of the water as well. Cheers.

 

[Centrals]

Bubble Addict.
But it is on the different island from Ishigaki.

 

[busybugs]

Ishigaki and Miyako are some nice islands to visit. Miyako has gin-clear water and nice water temps For a more thorough description of activities, take a look at this blog: The Miyakojima paradox : my mixed-feeling experience

Conditions weren't fantastic when I visited Miyako but I did a day of boat diving. The dives were OK but other than the vizi and warm water, I have no lasting impression.

Ishigaki of course is famous for manta rays. Of course, it isn't a guarantee that they'll be found but highly likely in season. If my memory serves correctly, we saw mantas on two of the dives. I have a short video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w19vydWZ4pQ

As far as dive operators, there are plenty to choose from on both islands. As far as English-speaking operators, I cannot really recommend any because I communicated with the staff in Japanese. That being said, it looks like Penguin Divers (Miyako) and Prime Scuba Ishigaki have good reviews from English-speaking divers.

 

[Edward3c]

Hi all,
I will be fulfilling a life-long dream and travelling to Japan in October. I have plans to visit Miyakojima and Ishigaki during that time, and can't wait for all the diving. Would appreciate recommendations for English-speaking dive operators on those islands, favorite dive sites, and things to do out of the water as well. Cheers.

Worth contacting BSAC Japan to see if they can accommodate you. It’s a franchise from the U.K.

 

[AFdivedoc]

I never did dive Miyakojima or Ishigaki, but I've visited and they are quite beautiful. I have dived Okinawa, Keramas, and Kumejima. I lived on Okinawa for 7 years, and can help you out with dive shops in that area if you ever visit there.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[noserider]

In Ishigaki you have three operators that speak english, Viking Scuba is small and is run by a japanese guy and his swedish wife, I dived with them and was the only person on the boat which was great. Prime scuba is based in the main town and a slightly larger operation and you also have one tied to the club med hotel

Ishigaki Dive Shop | Viking Scuba Kabira

Diving in Ishigaki is beautiful all year round. With Viking Scuba Kabira you can enjoy relaxed dives in a small group.

www.vikingscubakabira.com

Prime Scuba

石垣島市内の英語対応可能なダイビングショップ。豪華大型ダイビング船で石垣島と周辺離島をカバー、贅沢なスキューバ・ダイビングをお楽しみいただけます。ライセンス講習や体験ダイビングも。パスポートのいらない南国石垣島であなたの為のダイビングバケーションをご用意します。

www.primescuba-ishigaki.com

 

[maench10]

I never did dive Miyakojima or Ishigaki, but I've visited and they are quite beautiful. I have dived Okinawa, Keramas, and Kumejima. I lived on Okinawa for 7 years, and can help you out with dive shops in that area if you ever visit there.

Cheers,
Gary

Hi Gary! I have a trip to Zamami planned late March-early April and am hoping for some dive recommendations. Do you recommend any English speaking dive centers there? Favorite dive spots? I have 8 days to explore, all of which are currently on Zamami. Maybe I should explore another island for 4 of those days?

 

[sdfsdffsd]

I never did dive Miyakojima or Ishigaki, but I've visited and they are quite beautiful. I have dived Okinawa, Keramas, and Kumejima. I lived on Okinawa for 7 years, and can help you out with dive shops in that area if you ever visit there.

Cheers,
Gary

I'm looking for dive operators and places to stay in the Keramas in June 2025. The operators can speak English, Spanish, or Chinese.

 

[AFdivedoc]

Hi Gary! I have a trip to Zamami planned late March-early April and am hoping for some dive recommendations. Do you recommend any English speaking dive centers there? Favorite dive spots? I have 8 days to explore, all of which are currently on Zamami. Maybe I should explore another island for 4 of those days?

Zamami is of course in the Kerama Islands west of Okinawa. I've been there numerous times on a boat from Okinawa, so I've never used the dive shops on Zamami. There are supposedly 40 dive shops on the island, some are English speaking, but I'm not sure which ones. I did find the following listings on their tourist information page (all are on Zamami):

1. Cats Inn Kerama
   • (098-987-2860)
   • Discovery Dive: 10,000
   • Fun Dives: 1 dive (6,000); 2 dives (11,000)
   • Diving Equipment Set: 3,500
   • Wet Suit: 1,000
   • Snorkel Set: 1,000
   • Also offers boat snorkeling services
   • Also an English-capable guest house and cafe-style restaurant
   • <okinawa♪catsinnkerama.com>
2. Elli Sella
   • (098-987-2775)
   • Discovery Dive: beach (9,000); boat (12,000)
   • Fun Dives: 1 dive (6,000); 2 dives (11,000)
   • Diving Equipment Set: 5,000
   • Wet Suit: 1,000
   • Snorkel Set: 1,000
   • Also offers boat snorkeling services
   • <myhr♪mco.ne.jp>
3. JOY JOY
   • (098-987-2445)
   • Discovery Dive: beach (10,800)
   • Fun Dives: 1 dive (6,500); 2 dives (11,800)
   • Diving Equipment Set: 6,000
   • Wet Suit: 1,000
   • Snorkeling Set: 1,000
   • Also offers boat snorkeling services
   • Also an English-capable guest house
   • <mensore♪keramajoyjoy.com>
4. Dive-Inn-Hama
   • (098-987-2013)
   • Fun Dives: 1 dive (6,000) 2 dives (11,000)
   • Diving Equipment Set: 2,500 per dive
   • Wet Suit: 1,000
   • Snorkeling Set: 1,000
   • Also an English-capable guest house
   • <kerama♪diveinnhama.com>
5. Dive Center No-Y
   • (098-987-2247)
   • Discovery Dive: beach (11,800); boat (13,000)
   • Fun Dives: 1 dive (6,480); 2 dives (11,800)
   • Diving Equipment Set: 5,000
   • Wet Suit: Included in diving set
   • Also an English-capable guest house (called Pension Takatsuki)
   • <p.takatsuki.zamami♪gmail.com>

Every dive I've had in the Keramas has been fantastic! Pristine clear water, beautiful coral. I was diving near Tokashiki last September (our first trip back in 10 years), and there was some early coral bleaching from higher water temps, but otherwise a great trip. I'm sure the boat operators will take you to various spots in the Kerama Islands.

Enjoy!

 

[AFdivedoc]

BTW the dollar-yen exchange rate is quite good right now!