Sunabe Seawall

The Sunabe Seawall actually includes several entry points, and each dive site is unique. The biodiversity at these sites is excellent, and I could dive them over and over and over again. Unlike some of the outer Okinawan islands, Honto (main island), has quite a few excellent shore diving sites. If you live here, check them out! If you don't, I'd recommend hiring a guide your first time out. The sea wall has some great locations for times when the surf is down. When it's not, don't go out!

This site is great for beginners. Entry was easy from the steps but watch out for a long walk during low tide. There are two drop offs, first at 20ft and second at 65. I found a WWII .50 cal machine gun round. There is a brass Indian Goddess that people can view. Lots of fish and a few sea snakes. Highly recommended. Vis was 80 plus. Water temp 75.

This site is directly across the street from several dive shops, including at least one run by a lecherous but enthusiastic American. Youth hostel-like facilities next to this dive site make it even more ideal, and it's a short walk to pizza, fair grounds, shopping mall, and movie theater. Access to the dive site is by staircase over the concrete seawall, then a short walk over ankle-deep slippery flat slab like coral. There's a nice area next to a chain where you can don mask and put in your reg, in 4'-deep water. Then simply follow the chain and pipe outward to deeper water. Viz is a bit crap (30 to 40 ft.), and it's FULL of beginner divers. Soft corals are EVERYWHERE, and puffer fish rule this roost. it's utterly safe, and almost perfect because of its incredibly convenient location. No waves, no currents, ever. Expect animosity of you look like US military, but expect a warm welcome if you're any other sort of person. Prices are a bit high by American standards, but considerably less than boat diving in Okinawa. Stay at a hotel near this site, and do as many orientation/skills-practice/check-out dives as you care to here, before renting a car and exploring the many other shore dives on this island. (Do the Keramas boat dive at least once, though... it's almost as good as Palau.)

This site is directly across the street from several dive shops, including at least one run by a lecherous but enthusiastic American. Youth hostel-like facilities next to this dive site make it even more ideal, and it's a short walk to pizza, fair grounds, shopping mall, and movie theater. Access to the dive site is by staircase over the concrete seawall, then a short walk over ankle-deep slippery flat slab like coral. There's a nice area next to a chain where you can don mask and put in your reg, in 4'-deep water. Then simply follow the chain and pipe outward to deeper water. Viz is a bit crap (30 to 40 ft.), and it's FULL of beginner divers. Soft corals are EVERYWHERE, and puffer fish rule this roost. it's utterly safe, and almost perfect because of its incredibly convenient location. No waves, no currents, ever. Expect animosity of you look like US military, but expect a warm welcome if you're any other sort of person. Prices are a bit high by American standards, but considerably less than boat diving in Okinawa. Stay at a hotel near this site, and do as many orientation/skills-practice/check-out dives as you care to here, before renting a car and exploring the many other shore dives on this island. (Do the Keramas boat dive at least once, though... it's almost as good as Palau.)

Excellent site for all levels though not much hard coral. For this you should spend 70 dollars and go to the Keramas (near by islands)

We were stationed with the U.S. Marine Corps there for 3 years. We got certified at the end of our first year and dove nonstop for the remaining 2 years. Okinawa is a shore divers paradise. While there are boat dives available to the outer islands, why bother? When not diving, there is plenty to see and do. The locals are extremely friendly, and because of the many military personnel, they are very used to helping with language barriers.