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The waters around Okinawa are perfect for diving with colorful gem-like fish swimming around the beautiful coral reefs. There are diving spots throughout Okinawa, drawing drivers from around the world who become captivated by the clear waters and stunning beaches. The waters around Okinawa are a paradise for animals including sea turtles and humpback whales.
Okinawa comprises 160 islands, 49 of which are inhabited. It sits between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, in the path of the Kuroshio, the world’s largest warm current. Well connected by air and sea, the various islands are also easily accessible. Okinawa is endowed with an abundant natural environment fostered by the warm, subtropical climate. With its own unique history and culture, many visitors come to enjoy East Asia’s biggest resort island. One of the greatest attractions of Okinawa is the sea! Among professional divers, it’s known as one location that everybody wants to visit, and there are many attractive dive points dotted around the islands.
The Blue Cave, which even beginners can enjoy, is very popular. The Kerama Shoto National Park boasts outstanding translucence, with visibility up to 40 or 50m. The appeal of the Miyako area lies in its caves bathed in beautiful blue light and its dynamic topography. In the Yaeyama Islands, known as one of the best places in the world for manta rays, there is a mysterious giant stone structure at Yonaguni Island. In an endlessly transparent sea, coral reefs shimmer in the sunlight and shoals of subtropical fish play.
Elegant manta rays appear before your eyes, large migratory fish visit, and you may be lucky enough to encounter hammerheads and even whale sharks. In the winter, migrating humpback whales visit Okinawa’s life-giving seas. Seawater temperatures are around 28°C in summer, and a warm 21°C even in winter. From families with children to professional divers, the resort island seas of Okinawa can be enjoyed year-round.
Day 1: Departure from Europe² to Japan
Our dive packages to Japan and Okinawa Islands are all available from all major European airport. The total price for this dive packages depends on availability on your preferred dates of travel, but are in principle available all year round with a few modifications. In order to book your dive package please advise us your preferred travel time. Also consider the best time to visit the Kerama Islands as the water temperature can vary a lot depending on the season. The normal route to Okinawa is either via Osaka/Tokyo/Hong Kong or Taipei.
Day 2: Arrive Naha (Okinawa)(D)
You must arrive in Naha before 3pm as the last ferry to Aka Island departs normally at this time. The crossing takes approx 60 minutes (Please note that ferry can be cancelled due to bad weather and high seas) and we have therefore included 2 extra nights on Naha on the return in case this should happen. Upon arrival at Aka Island you will be met by or host on the island and time for the normal paperwork to get you ready for your dive adventure starting on day 3. Overnight Aka Island
Day 3-11. Diving the Kerama Islands (BLD)
Eight full diving days (with 3 dives daily). All dives are done from boat in the entire archipelago. There is no Nitrox available in Japan (by law) so all dives are relatively short by European standards (normally around 40-45 minutes) but can be flexible for experienced divers. The diving is very varied and especially during the winter visibility is extreme at +40 meters on most dives. The corals in Japan are some of the best we have seen anywhere in the world. Expect fantastic and colorful soft corals, great macro, caverns and underwater moonscapes as well as ravines and plenty of fish.
KERAMA SHOTO NATIONAL PARK - The Kerama Blue
The seas of the Kerama Islands are unrivalled anywhere in the world for their amazing translucence. Known as the sea that all the world loves, it attracts divers from around the world. It has everything that divers want — topography, coral, quantities of every kind of fish, and translucent water.
This popular area is visited by many divers year-roundLocated 40km west of Naha, the Kerama Islands comprise some 20 large and small islands, including Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island, and Aka Island.With outstandingly clear water, an underwater world spreads out in all directions with visibility up to several dozen meters. This beautiful sea is known as “Kerama Blue”. Endowed with an abundant habitat of fish and coral, humpback whales visit to breed from December to March when you can enjoy whale watching. From the shore to the deep sea there are a variety of ecosystems, and the beautiful natural scenery is valued highly. On March 5 (Coral Day) 2014, it was designated as Kerama Shoto National Park.
Day 12: Aka Island to Naha (BLD)
Return in the afternoon back to Naha on the main land. Naha is a very interesting town and unlike many other Japanese cities. It is very spread out but the downtown area is full of little alleys, plenty of fantastic good restaurants and funny small bars and a great place to investigate the curious nightlife of Japan. The mainland also have some very interesting diving and we can easily combine your stay here with some different diving. We highly recommen the wreck dive on the USS Emmens which sank at the end of WW2 on the northern part of Okinawa. This is a very difficult and deep dive and is very weather dependent, but ask us if you want to try and include this (must be paid locally due to frequent cancellation due to bad weather, cost approx JPY 12 000 for a 2-tank dive)
Overnight at centrally located 4**** hotel in Naha
Day 13: Naha (B)
Free day to explore Naha City. Overnight at centrally located 4**** hotel in Naha
Day 14: Departure from Naha (Okinawa) back to Europe² (B)
Departure either via Tokyo/Osaka/Taipei or Hong Kong back to Europe. Normally departure in the afternoon from Naha.
Day 15: Arrival in Europe²
Tour ends upon your arrival at your chosen destination.
Package
Not included:
Other useful information
Price: is based on per person sharing in twin/double room (surcharge for single room upon request). All dive packages with DIVEplanet / DYKKEbazaar is based on the use of scheduled airlines and price wil depends on availability and season you prefer to travel. All fares are based on the best available airfare. This package can of course be modified to your preference and is also combinable with our other packages in the area.
Europe² departure from all major European gateways possible (London, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Oslo & Stockholm + others)
Best time for this destination: Okinawa can be dived all year and offers great visibility during the cold season and during this period we recommend min 5mm wetsuits as temperatures drop to approx 20ºC and also cold above water temperatures. In the summer months (October) the water can reach 30ºC. The only period to avoid is probably mid sept-mid nov which is the typhoon season for the area.
Destination good for: Great beaches in the Kerama Islands, caverns, soft corals, great general fish life, macro
Visibility: Summer months +/- 25m and in the winter +/- 40m
Food: Okinawan food is exotic even for Japanese people so be prepared to try some strange looking and tasting food. There is very little western food available apart from a few good restaurants in Naha, but the food served on Aka Island and our hotels (there is no local restaurants on the island) is very good and varied.
Life on Aka Island: There is an ATM on the island to withdraw cash (this can only be done at the post office on the island). There is also a few grocery stores and a couple of bars for entertainment, but it is a very idyllic little place. In the summer months there is a bar/snacks available on Nishibama Beach on Aka Island.
See description of dive sites in the Kerama Islands - click here
By accepting our offer in writing, you/you confirm that our terms and conditions have both been read and understood and that cancellation fees may apply if the trip is cancelled.
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We will get back to you with an offer on the requested trip / package within 48 hours. All offers are non-binding and are usually valid for 7 days. Please note that reserved services can be canceled within these 7 days and that price may change until a final order is received.
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