Yakushima

This island is located about 100 km south of Kagoshima and is famous for its space center where rockets are launched. It is also a mecca for surfing. It can be reached from Kagoshima in about 30 minutes by plane or 1 hour and 30 minutes by high-speed boat.

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.

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.

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.

It takes about 90 minutes by boat from Nagasaki to the Goto Islands, which are made up of more than 140 islands of various sizes floating about 130 km west of Nagasaki. The coastline is intricate, so there are plenty of diving spots.

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.

Kujuku Island in Nagasaki Prefecture is a sea area dotted with islands that stretches 25 kilometers north of Sasebo Port, and is said to have the highest density of islands in Japan. The diving can be divided into the nearby Kujuku Islands area and the expedition area.

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.