Okinawa Area

Honto (the most populated Okinawan island) has a bunch of great shore diving sites. I did a four (Gorilla Chop, Maeda Point, and two Sunabe Seawall sites) while staying there for one week. Each site was different, and the dives were relaxing, 1 to 2-hour each (without a guide), in shallow waters, with lots of macro life to photograph. Highly recommended!

At the recommendation of coworkers, I dove Maeda Point with them. There is a short but steep set of stairs going down to the entry point and a short rock climb into the water. Going down is easy, but not the climb up. However, it's well worth it. Visibility is fantastic. I dive cold water in Washington where 25 feet of vis is normal. At 80 feet I rolled over and could see people at the surface. There's a cave a short swim or walk away. The cave is 15 feet high inside and a great place to jump off and take a rest interval. The entry/exit was a little crowded because it's a popular spot with the Japanese as well as the Americans. This was my thirteenth and fourteenth dive and the first time in water over 50 degrees. Fantastic. Lots of fish...fish I've only seen pictures of. Fantastic dive site. For military members, rent gear at the Marina at Kadina.

Diving in Okinawa from the beach at either Sunabe seawall, Kadena seawall or Onna area are all super, great corals, lots of fish, generally good visibility and easy entry. There are hard entry points here but avoid them as they are no better than the easy points. For gear rental or guided dives I'd recommend www.diveokinawa.com

If you dive Okinawa, you must dive Maeda Point. You will have to master the stairs going down to the entry point and a short rock climb, but all is worth it for probably one of the best dive locations in the world. Fish will swarm you and they love Vienna Sausages for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometimes it will be crowded at the entry because all the Japanese dive here, but once underwater, there's room for everyone. Lots of caverns, caves, tunnels, and anything else you want to swim through. Great visibility makes this an A+ place to dive!!

If you dive Okinawa, you must dive Maeda Point. You will have to master the stairs going down to the entry point and a short rock climb, but all is worth it for probably one of the best dive locations in the world. Fish will swarm you and they love Vienna Sausages for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometimes it will be crowded at the entry because all the Japanese dive here, but once underwater, there's room for everyone. Lots of caverns, caves, tunnels, and anything else you want to swim through. Great visibility makes this an A+ place to dive!!