Diving in Kyushu

Surrounded by the sea on all sides, Kyushu offers many diving opportunities from the Genkai Nada area where the warm Tsushima Current flows to Kagoshima in the far south. Because Kyushu covers a large area, its characteristics vary greatly from place to place. The warm waters of the Tsushima Current make the Goto Islands an excellent place to dive with lots of tropical fish, hard coral, and colorful soft corals. These islands are a popular dive destination for encountering large migratory fish and diving the famous 100m long shipwreck.

The northern region, located just a few minutes outside the city of Hakata, is dotted with islands such as Shikanoshima, where divers, snorkelers, and those looking to escape the big city come to enjoy the warm waters and quiet beaches, especially in the summer. Iki Island is a great dive destination reached in just over an hour by ferry, offering both beach entry and boat diving.

Additional diving in Kyushu is found on Okinoshima Island, a World Heritage Site, about 60 km from the mainland. It boasts great visibility, warm water temperatures, and abundant fish life. There is no public transportation, however, and takes 2 hours to reach by dive boat.

The descriptions provided here are intended as general information and personal experiences related to specific dive sites and locations and should not be construed as definitive advice or recommendations. Before diving, please confirm that diving is permitted at your chosen location, and comply with all relevant local laws, regulations, and posted signage. The responsibility for verifying the legality of the dive and assessing any associated risks rests entirely with you.