Seeking dive shop recommendations Okinawa

[Ceciliagrocha]

Hi Gary, would you have the names of good/reputable dive shops also on Aka, Tokashiki, and Okinawa? I have 7 days in Okinawa region (end of May), what split would you recommend across these islands (Aka, Okinawa, Tokashiki, Zamami)? Thanks!

 

[Ceciliagrocha]

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

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!

Hi Gary, would you have the names of good/reputable dive shops also on Aka, Kerama, and Okinawa? I have 7 days in Okinawa region (end of May), what split would you recommend across these islands (Aka, Okinawa, Tokashiki, Zamami)? Thanks!

 

[AFdivedoc]

On Okinawa:

Reef Encounters is a multilingual dive shop on Okinwa. They have been operating for years, and have a good reputation: 沖縄ダイビングショップ リーフエンカウンターズ： バイリンガルの国際派ダイビングショップ。慶良間諸島へのボートクルーズ・ライセンス講習毎日開催中。 Boat Diving, Dive Trips to the Kerama, Certification Courses

English Empire Divers was founded after I left the island so I have no personal experience with them, but they seem to have a well-designed and user-friendly website:

English Empire Divers Okinawa (Okinawa's No1 English Speaking company)

Were are the premier, English speaking dive company here on Okinawa! Available at short notice and able to take great care of both Experienced and beginner divers! Lets enjoy the beautiful blue waters of Okinawa together ;)

englishempiredivers.com

Both of these shops will be able to direct you to great sites on Okinawa, and help you to book charters out to the Kerama islands (which include Tokashiki, Zamami, and Aka). I would recommend spending at least 2 diving days in the Kerama islands, whether by boat from Okinawa or by taking the ferry out of Naha and staying there.

If you want to rent a car on Okinawa, remember to bring an International Driving Permit, which I believe you can get at AAA in Australia. You won't be able to rent a car without one (at least they won't let us dodgy yanks do it). My wife and I brought them, but we met a couple on a boat to the Keramas who overlooked this before travel. They were not able to rent and had to use taxis, which are certainly available but can get expensive. I've had good experience with this company: Car Rental in Okinawa

Hope this helps!
Gary