Tanegashima Island

Reachable in 30 minutes by plane from Kagoshima, Yakushima is an island with a circumference of about 130 km and an area of 500 km². In the center of the island is a prehistoric forest, and the Jomon cedars are all too famous.

This dive site is located on the western side of the Satsuma Peninsula, facing the East China Sea. You can usually dive anywhere at any time depending on the wind direction. The clarity is 10 to 30 meters. The water temperature is 8.5 degrees Celsius in September and can reach 30 degrees Celsius.

These small islands are scattered between Yakushima and Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, about 160 kilometers away, and are only accessible by two village run ferries a week from Kagoshima. It’s a 5-minute boat ride close to the point and 20 minutes farther.

Fukashima, the southernmost island in Oita Prefecture, is a small island with a population of about 30 people, located about 9 km south of Kamae Port. There are nearly 100 cats on the island, but most of them are not domestic cats, but island cats. Two islands, one in the south and the other in the north, are connected by a central sandbar that looks like a gourd from the air. You may even encounter dolphins and turtles while traveling on the island. Underwater, you’ll find dynamic terrain, beautiful coral reefs and colorful soft coral beds.

Uguru Island is the southernmost town in Shikoku, 23 kilometers off the coast of the city of Shukumo. Due to the Kuroshio Current, the visibility in this area is one of the highest in Japan, and on a good day, the visibility can be as high as 50 meters. With its dynamic terrain and coral habitat, you can see tropical fish all year round. There are both big fish spots and macro observation spots, and both beginners and experts can enjoy them.

Amami Oshima is located almost halfway between Kagoshima and the main island of Okinawa, and is the second largest island in Japan. There are many flights and good access from the metropolitan area. It takes about 15 minutes by boat to see the huge common coral (20m in diameter and 7m high). It was named Daibutsu Coral because the huge coral looks like the head of a giant Buddha. The water is about 16m deep and the sandy white sandy soil is spreading and there are many colorful flounder and butterflyfish around. Points that can be enjoyed by beginners at ease.

Kashiwa Island is an island less than 4 km in circumference at the southwest end of Shikoku, at the tip of the Otsuki Peninsula, which juts out to the south of the Bay of Shukumo. It is designated as a national park and is connected to the mainland of Shikoku by a bridge and is accessible by land.

This dive site is among top 5 for its enchanting allure and beauty within the region. Here, you’ll marvel at the splendid coral colonies and vibrant schools of fish. After a safety stop, you can even venture into captivating underwater caves. While the current can occasionally become swifter, I often recommend diving during low tide. When entering the water from the boat, you’ll find a calm 5-meter depth, making it a fantastic spot suitable for beginners and providing a sense of security.

While this dive site may appear typical on the surface, beneath the water’s surface lies an underwater cave that extends for 25 meters in length and 10 meters in width. These caves are not particularly deep, allowing divers to move slowly and search for large rays and sharks that occasionally rest inside. The exit of the cave emits a blue glow, and the upper section of the cave teems with schools of lanternfish and other marine life, creating a stunning visual display when illuminated. For divers, this location holds a special allure as it offers the opportunity to explore caves and revel in the breathtaking underwater scenery.

Like a fault line, there is a mix of hard and soft corals on the monolithic rock. The depth ranges from 5-9 m, and the colony extends over more than 1 km in a straight line, with side holes next to the monolith allowing swim-throughs in some areas. Hard and soft corals coexist, and this type of landscape is rare in Japan. Sometimes rays, which can grow to over 2 meters, can be found hiding in the side holes. The scenery in shallow areas where light shines through is extremely beautiful.