The Kerama Islands are one of the most famous scuba diving destinations in Japan. Located about 40 km west of Okinawa, this beautiful national park offers crystal-clear water, colorful coral reefs, and an incredible variety of marine life.
One of the biggest highlights of diving in the Kerama Islands is the exceptional water clarity. Visibility often exceeds 20–30 meters, allowing divers to fully enjoy the vibrant coral landscapes and schools of tropical fish.
Because the Kerama Islands include more than 30 islands and hundreds of dive sites, every dive trip offers something unique. From relaxing coral reef dives to more exciting current dives, the area provides a wide range of underwater experiences.
Why the Kerama Islands Are Famous for Diving
The Kerama Islands are known worldwide for their beautiful coral reefs and healthy marine ecosystem. The area is part of Keramashoto National Park, which helps protect the underwater environment.
Divers visiting the region can experience:
- Large coral reef formations
- Excellent visibility throughout the year
- Calm and clear tropical water
- Abundant marine life
- White sand seascapes and reef slopes
Because of these ideal conditions, the Kerama Islands are often considered one of the best places to dive in Okinawa.
Marine Life in the Kerama Islands
The underwater world of the Kerama Islands is full of life. Colorful tropical fish swim among the coral reefs, creating vibrant underwater scenes on every dive.
Sea turtles are one of the most popular encounters for divers. They are frequently seen resting on the reef or swimming peacefully through the clear blue water.
Other marine life commonly found in the Kerama Islands includes:
- Clownfish living in sea anemones
- Butterflyfish and angelfish
- Parrotfish and surgeonfish
- Moray eels hiding inside coral formations
- Large schools of reef fish
Every dive offers the opportunity to discover something new beneath the surface.
Beautiful Coral Reefs and White Sand
Another highlight of Kerama diving is the stunning underwater scenery. Many dive sites feature large coral gardens that stretch across shallow reef areas.
These coral reefs are often surrounded by white sand, creating a breathtaking underwater landscape that looks almost tropical.
The excellent visibility allows divers to appreciate the vibrant colors and natural beauty of these coral ecosystems.
Dive Sites Are Selected Daily
With hundreds of dive sites across the Kerama Islands, dive locations change depending on the day's ocean conditions.
Experienced local guides carefully choose the best sites based on:
- Wind direction
- Ocean currents
- Visibility
- Safety conditions
This ensures divers always enjoy the best possible diving environment while exploring the islands.
Because of this flexibility, every dive trip offers a slightly different experience.
Kerama Dive Site Introduction
The Kerama Islands offer a wide range of dive sites, each with its own unique underwater landscape and marine life.
In this section, we introduce some of the popular dive sites that are often visited during diving tours in the Kerama Islands. Each site offers unique underwater scenery, beautiful coral reefs, and the chance to encounter a variety of marine life.
Beautiful White Sand Dive Sites
Dive sites with stunning white sand seabeds and crystal-clear water, creating bright and open underwater scenery.
Dragon Lady (Zamami Island)
Remains of an airplane used in a movie that was once released in Japan can still be seen here. There’s also a beautiful coral reef on the sandy bottom.
Touma No.2 (Zamami Island)
You can see clownfish, garden eels, and more. It’s mainly a sandy-bottom site, perfect for relaxed dives.
Nanabanzaki / Cape No.7 (Zamami Island)
This site has both sandy areas and coral reefs, and you can occasionally spot sea turtles. The view from the boat is also beautiful.
Coral Reef and Sea Turtle Dive Sites
Areas known for healthy coral reefs where divers can observe colorful tropical fish and vibrant marine ecosystems.
Nozaki (Tokashiki Island)
A site with beautiful shallow coral reefs. You can occasionally spot sea turtles, and there’s a very large coral reef.
Ariga Cable (Tokashiki Island)
An underwater site where an electric cable runs along the seabed. The shallow coral is beautiful, and you may also see sea turtles.
Turtle City (Chibishi Islands)
A site with a large, round underwater rock where green sea turtles often hang out. Sometimes you can see up to five turtles at once.
Topography and Cave Dive Sites
Sites featuring interesting underwater landscapes such as reef walls, swim-throughs, and small caves.
Chishi (Zamami Island)
A dive site with dynamic terrain and a fairly long cave to explore.
Kamiyama South Labyrinth (Chibishi Islands)
A site with a large reef and underwater caves. Swimming between the crevices is fun, and you may occasionally spot sea turtles.
Kuroshima North Twin Rock (Kuroshima)
One of the top 3 most frequently visited dive sites in Kerama. Anchored dives start from the shallow areas, while drift dives explore around the outer reef.
Drift Diving Dive Sites
Exciting dive sites where currents allow for drift diving along reef slopes, sometimes attracting larger marine life and schools of fish.
Uchizan Reef (East Tokashiki Island)
One of the top 3 dive sites in the Kerama Islands. If you’re lucky, you might see manta rays. This site is mainly explored via drift diving.
Kuefu North (Chibishi Islands)
A site with especially beautiful shallow coral. You can enjoy the coral and fish in the shallow areas before drifting along and exiting the dive.
Ariga South (Tokashiki Island)
A dive along the coral reef, often done as a drift dive. Sunlight streaming onto the coral makes it especially stunning.
Experience the Best Diving in the Kerama Islands
Whether you are visiting Okinawa for the first time or returning for another dive adventure, the Kerama Islands offer unforgettable underwater experiences.
With excellent visibility, healthy coral reefs, and abundant marine life, it is easy to see why divers from around the world travel to Okinawa to explore the Kerama Islands.
Every dive reveals something new, making it one of the most rewarding diving destinations in Japan.
Book Your Kerama Diving Trip
Ready to explore the famous dive sites of the Kerama Islands?
Our boat tours depart daily from Naha and take divers to some of the best dive locations in the region. All rental equipment is included, and experienced local guides carefully select the best dive sites of the day.
👉 Discover the beauty of the Kerama Islands with GOLD Scuba Diving.
Related Kerama Diving Guides
- Kerama Diving Overview – Hub page introducing all dive options and guides in the Kerama Islands.
- Kerama Diving from Naha – How to reach the islands for diving from Naha.
- Kerama Diving Price Guide – Check package costs and what’s included.
- Kerama Diving Best Time – When to dive the Kerama Islands for best conditions.
- Kerama Diving Water Temperature & Visibility – See conditions throughout the year.
- Kerama Diving Marine Life – Learn about turtles, fish, and the reef ecosystem.
- Kerama Diving for Certified Divers – Advanced diving information.
- Kerama Drift Diving – Dynamic current dives and drift routes.