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 of the screen. Translations may not display properly on mobile devices. In that case, please view the page on a PC.
Please contact us in English.
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 Island, 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.
Oriental sweetlips
This fish has a unique and cute pattern and lives in schools with other fish.
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.
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.
Spangled emperor
From March to May, the Triangle sees tremendous numbers of Spangled Emperors.
Tiera batfish
They are not particularly rare, but they are beautiful when seen in schools in the middle layers.
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.
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 | Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Prices for overseas customers
Customers from overseas
Equipment rental is free for all courses. Transportation within Naha City is free. There are no additional charges. Lunch and meals are not included in the menu, so please bring your own on the morning of the diving day. All courses are available for one person. →Pickup and drop off areas
If you bring your own regulator, please note that Japanese tanks are yoke-type, so if you use a DIN-type regulator, be sure to bring an adapter. In Japan, both steel tanks and aluminum tanks are used.
Discount service
- If you bring all your own equipment, you will receive a discount of 3,000 yen per day on all diving courses.
- If you write a positive comment on Google and Tripadvisor reviews, we will give you a 1,000 yen discount.
Drift diving
| Sites | 2 dives | 3 dives |
|---|---|---|
| Kerama / Keise Island | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Triangle | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Aguni Island | - | 37,000 yen |
| Tonaki Island | - | 37,000 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 diving
| Sites | 2 dives | 3 dives |
|---|---|---|
| Kerama / Keise island | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Blue Cave and Cape Maeda | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Manza | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Chatan | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Ginowan | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Yomitan | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| Minna Island (Northern) | 33,000 yen | 35,000 yen |
| Sesoko Island (Northern) | 33,000 yen | 35,000 yen |
| USS Emmons (Northern) | 35,000 yen | - |
| Cape Hedo (Northern) | 38,000 yen | 40,000 yen |
| Nakijin (Northern) | 33,000 yen | 35,000 yen |
| Itoman | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
| AM Beach dive | 17,000 yen | - |
| PM Boat dive / Arrival date | 30,000 yen | - |
| Refresh dive deach | 17,000 yen | 19,000 yen |
| Refresh dive boat | 30,000 yen | 33,000 yen |
Diving on the USS Emmons is limited to two dives in the morning.
Beach (shore) diving
| Sites | 2 dives | 3 dives |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Maeda and the Blue Cave | 17,000 yen | 19,000 yen |
| Gorilla Chop | 17,000 yen | 19,000 yen |
| Sunabe | 17,000 yen | 19,000 yen |
| Ishikiri | 17,000 yen | 19,000 yen |
Rental per day
BCD, Regulator, Mask, Fins
Free
Wetsuits
Free
Dive computer
Free
Signal float
Free
Dive lights
Free
GULL Barracuda fin (LONG)
3,000 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.
Payment example
Day 1: Kerama 3 dives 33,000 yen
Day 2: Kerama 3 dives 33,000 yen
Day 3: USS Emmons 2 dives 35,000 yen
Bring your own equipment. Three days: -6,000 yen
Total 95,000 yen
Payment methods
Payment will be made after the dive. Payment can be made by Japanese yen 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)
- For confirmation purposes, please be sure to bring your license card with you on the day of diving.
- 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.
- I can take off my fins and get on the boat by myself.
- I can use signal float on the 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.
- If you bring your own equipment, especially for drift diving, please bring fins that you are accustomed to using. We recommend full-foot fins.
- 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.