English Customers Welcome! Scuba Diving in Okinawa Japan, Come to GOLD
English Customers Welcome! Scuba Diving in Okinawa Japan, Come to GOLD
Hello, we are GOLD, a dive shop located in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. If you are thinking about scuba diving in Okinawa, Japan, please come and visit us! We will guide you through the beautiful Okinawan ocean! *We do not offer trial dives for those who do not have a license.
We welcome customers from overseas. We have customers from all over the world, including English-speaking countries, Koreans, Chinese, Taiwanese, and other Asian countries, as well as Europeans. Our staff are not native English speakers, but we can communicate to some extent in English.
For inquiries, please use the inquiry form , reservation form , email, or Instagram DM. This website can also be viewed in foreign languages, so please check out the menu on the top page . You can switch languages by clicking on the flag and language in the upper left corner of the screen. Translations may not display properly on mobile devices. In that case, please view the page on a PC.
What is the recommended diving course departing from Naha, Okinawa?
We recommend drift diving for advanced divers, and regular boat fun diving for beginners to intermediate divers. Please choose a course that suits your skill level. *Depending on the schedule and the number of participants, we may not be able to accommodate your desired course, so please contact us first.
Recommended Course
01
Drift Diving
All three drift dives per day are drift dives. Recommended for intermediate to advanced divers with some diving experience. Drift diving, departing from Naha, Okinawa, is mainly held in Kerama Open Ocean, Triangle, Aguni Island, and Tonaki Island. Please see each page for details.
Recommended Course
02
Boat Diving
For regular boat fun dives, we head to the Kerama Islands and sometimes dive anchored at gentle points, and sometimes drift . We also hold boat dives all over Okinawa Island. Please see the top page for each menu.
Drift diving style in Okinawa
The style of drift diving we do in Naha, Okinawa, is not to just drift from entry to exit, but to stop at key points to look for fish, and even if the current is strong, to search for fish around the rocks. This increases the chances of seeing the fish you're aiming for. If you just drift after entering, the dive will end before you can even dive for 10 minutes. You can't drift at any point forever, so once you reach the goal point, you raise your float and exit.
Fish and Creatures Found in Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa is home to many fish and other marine life. Here are some of the fish that would be exciting to see. If you come to Okinawa for diving, try to find them. However, there is no guarantee that you will see them.
Whale shark
You're super lucky if you encounter Whale sharl! They appear somewhere in Okinawa every year, so there's always a chance to see them.
Alfred manta
They sometimes appear in Kerama. You'll be lucky if you can see them.
Giant trevally
You can see them everywhere in Okinawa.
Bigeye trevally
Bigeye trevally can be seen throughout the year in Okinawa, but you can see particularly large tornadoes at Aguni Island.
Whitetip reef shark
You can see them everywhere in Okinawa.
Zebra shark
They sometimes appear at any point, so you're lucky if you can see them.
Grey reef shark
They sometimes swim nearby, which is not that rare in Okinawa.
Bottlenose wedgefish
They can be found in the summer at sandy spots, and you're very lucky if you can see one.
Hammerhead shark
In most cases, they are swimming alone or in groups of three, which is not particularly unusual.
Silvertip shark
I see them occasionally, but I don't see them that often, so they're quite rare.
Tiger shark
You're super lucky if you can see Tiger shark! They're just as rare as whale sharks.
Chevron barracuda
You can see them in the "Triangle." They are a different species from the blackfin barracuda.
Bluefin trevally
They are always chasing small fish and trying to eat them.
Yellow and blueback fusilier
They can be seen at any spot, but they are most beautiful when they gather together in a school.
Dark-banded fusilier
This fish is a common sight in Okinawa and can be found anywhere. It is beautiful when they gather together in schools.
Dogtooth tuna
A small flock can be as small as 10 individuals, but depending on the time of year and location, it can grow to more than 100 individuals.
Pink whipray
They appear occasionally, staying still at the bottom of the water.
Island trevally
When the water temperature gets cold, the blue jack mackerel appears.
Rainbow runner
They gather in groups when the water temperature is cold.
Oriental sweetlips
This fish has a unique and cute pattern and lives in schools with other fish.
Tiera batfish
They are not particularly rare, but they are beautiful when seen in schools in the middle layers.
Sleek unicornfish
You can see them any time in Okinawa, sometimes gathering in groups of over 300.
Smoothtail devil ray
They appear occasionally, but are often mistaken for manta rays because they resemble them.
Spangled emperor
From March to May, the Triangle sees tremendous numbers of Spangled Emperors.
Napoleonfish
They are often seen while diving on Aguni Island. Large specimens can reach up to 1 meter in length.
Green turtle
They are commonly seen in Okinawa. There are four types of sea turtles that can be seen in Okinawa.
School of fish
There are schools of tropical fish.
Diving in Okinawa, Water Temperature, and Wetsuits
The water temperatures throughout the year for diving on Okinawa's main island, departing from Naha, and diving around the Kerama Islands are roughly as follows. The water temperatures are collected from the dive computer I used. Suits vary depending on the individual, so please use these figures as a guide only.
| Season | Temperature | Visibility | Water temperature | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January to March | 18℃～23℃ | 20ｍ～30ｍ | 21℃～22℃ | 6.5mm and inner, dry suit |
| April | 22℃～23℃ | 20ｍ～30ｍ | 22℃～23℃ | 6.5mm and inner, dry suit |
| May | 25℃～30℃ | 20ｍ～30ｍ | 23℃～24℃ | 6.5mm and inner |
| June | 25℃～30℃ | 20ｍ～40ｍ | 24℃～28℃ | 5mm, 6.5mm |
| July to August | 28℃～31℃ | 20ｍ～40ｍ | 27℃～29℃ | 3ｍｍ～5ｍｍ |
| September to October | 28℃～31℃ | 20ｍ～40ｍ | 27～28℃ | 3ｍｍ～5ｍｍ |
| November | 24℃～29℃ | 20ｍ～40ｍ | 25℃～26℃ | 3ｍｍ～5ｍｍ |
| December | 22℃～24℃ | 20ｍ～30ｍ | 22℃～25℃ | 5ｍｍ～6.5ｍｍ |
Reservation Process
For diving inquiries and reservations, please use the inquiry form, reservation form, email, Instagram DM, etc. First, please contact us with your desired date and course, and we will check whether the event is possible based on the boat's availability.
Inquiries and reservations
Please contact us first and make a reservation. → Contact page
Check schedules, destinations, and boats
We will check the information you provide and contact you.
Your reservation will be confirmed by contact from us.
If diving is available on the desired date and course, your reservation will be confirmed.
Daily Schedule
All diving courses start in Naha city! Therefore, if you would like to be picked up, please make sure to stay at a hotel in Naha city. →Pick up area
A sample daily schedule is shown below. Morning times will vary depending on your destination, so we will contact you accordingly. The morning meeting time will be announced by the evening of the previous day. On the morning of the day, please wait in front of your hotel 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and take you directly to your hotel on the way back. We will not be stopping at our shop. If you would like to wash your own equipment, please do so at your hotel.
| 6:20~6:40 | Hotel pick-up |
| 7:30 | Departure |
| 8:30 | Start of 3 dives |
| 14:30~15:30 | Drop off at hotel |
Diving Fees
Customers from overseas
Please note that for customers from overseas, an interpretation fee of 2,000 yen per day is charged in addition to the diving fee.
For all courses, dive computers, signal floats, and dive lights are required for safety. Therefore, if you do not have your own, you will need to rent them for a fee.
All courses are available for one person and include transportation within Naha city. Lunch and drinks are not provided, so please bring your own. →Click here for pick up area
Discount Service
- If you bring your own gears, you will receive a 1,000 yen discount on all courses.
- Visit points: 1 point per day. When you accumulate 10 points, you can use them as a 5,000 yen discount.
- If you live in Okinawa, can meet at the port, and are a repeat customer who has visited us more than twice, you will receive a 1,000 yen discount per day.
Drift Diving Fees
| Sites | 2 dives | 3 dives |
|---|---|---|
| Kerama Open Ocean | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Triangle | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Aguni Island | - | 27,000 yen |
| Tonaki Island | - | 27,000 yen |
Aguni Island and Tonaki Island are only 3 dives due to the distance traveled. Even if you only do 2 dives due to personal reasons, the fee will be charged for 3 dives.
Boat Fun Diving Fees
| Sites | 2 dives | 3 dives |
|---|---|---|
| Kerama | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Chibishi | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| USS Emmons | 28,000 yen | - |
| Blue Cave and Cape Maeda | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Manza | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Chatan | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Ginowan | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Yomitan | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Cape Hedo | 28,000 yen | 35,000 yen |
| Nakijin | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| Itoman | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
| AM Beach | 16,000 yen | - |
| Afternoon boat trip/Arrival date | 20,000 yen | - |
| Refreshing Beach | 16,000 yen | 18,000 yen |
| Refresh Boat | 21,000 yen | 24,000 yen |
USS Emmons basically only has two dive sessions in the morning.
Beach Fun Diving Fees
| Sites | 2 dives | 3 dives |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave | 16,000円 | 18,000円 |
| Gorilla Chop | 16,000円 | 18,000円 |
| Sunabe | 16,000円 | 18,000円 |
| Ishikiri | 16,000円 | 18,000円 |
Rental Fees / Per Day
BCD, Regulator, Mask, Fins, Suit
Free
Dive computer
1,000 yen
Signal float
500 yen
Dive Lights
500 yen
GULL Barracuda Fin (LONG)
2,000 yen
- Prescription masks are not available for rental.
- If you wish to rent fins, please bring your own socks. Regular socks are fine, not for diving.
- If you don't have a dive computer, signal float or light, you will need to rent them.
Payment Example
Day 1: Kerama 3 dives / 23,000 yen
Day 2: Kerama 3 dives / 23,000 yen
Day 3: Triangle 3 dives / 23,000 yen
BCD, regulator rental free
Dive computer 1,500 yen for three days
Interpretation fee 6,000 yen for three days (for overseas customers)
Total 76,500 yen
Payment Methods
Payment will be made after the dive. Payment can be made by cash or credit card. We accept major credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, and Diners.
Skills, Items to Bring, and Precautions
- Diving license (e.g. PADI Open Water Diver or higher, advanced or higher drift diving and deep specialty holder)
- Free descent, free ascent, and neutral buoyancy while clearing your ears smoothly
- I can swim to some extent, and I don't panic even when I'm drifting.
- You can take off your fins and get on the boat by yourself.
- Signal float can be raised on the water surface
- I can set up my own equipment and know my weights.
- I can do things for myself
- Follow the guide's instructions
- Your own equipment. Please bring your own equipment that is in good condition. We are not responsible for any accidents caused by equipment problems.
- Signal floats, lights, and dive computers are essential. If you don't have them, please buy them before you come. They are also available for rental at our shop.
- Please use full-foot fins that provide propulsion, such as fins you are familiar with, barracuda fins, or barracuda fins. Strap fins are prohibited for drift diving as they cannot be used for swimming.
- It is not guaranteed that you will be able to see large fish or schools of fish.
- Drift diving involves diving at points with a high element of gambling, so if you lose, you may have to exit without seeing anything in particular.
- If the current is strong, we may have to exit early regardless of the dive time.