22/06/2017
Diving in Okinawa
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Located at the southwestern tip of the Japanese archipelago, Okinawa is comprised of 160 islands, 49 of which are inhabited, spreading 1000 kilometres/620 miles from east to west and 400 kilometres/250 miles from north to south. Okinawa’s proximity to Southeast Asia once made it an important trading hub; now, the region is growing in popularity as a dive destination for Chinese and Korean tourists due to its beauty and close proximity to Taipei, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul.
A subtropical, world-class diving destination, Okinawa’s crystal-clear waters allow divers to truly appreciate its stunning underwater seascapes. Caves, tunnels, drops and wrecks are all commonplace, and the endless opportunities to explore are what makes the diving in Okinawa so addictive. From the mysterious ruins of Yonaguni and the scattered remnants of from WWII, to the Manta Scramble of Ishigaki Island and the schools of gigantic hammerhead shark at Kume Island, Okinawa is a diver’s delight.
Yosuji-no-ne, Okinawa (main island) – This dive site is named after the yosuji, or blue-banded snapper that inhabit this spot in large schools at depths of 24 metres/80 feet. Here, divers will find luminous cardinalfish, sea goldies and schooling bannerfish, which like to group around rocks at depths of 16 metres/50 feet.
Visibility – Average visibility is 30-40 metres/100-130 feet. Due to coral spawning from mid-May to June, visibility at some sites drop to 15-20 metres/50-65 feet. During winter, the water can be crystal clear with 50-metre/165-foot visibility when it’s sunny.
Water Temperature – January to March: 21-23° C/70-73° F; April to June: 23-26° C/73-79° F; July to September: 27-29° C/81-84° F; October to December: 24-27° C/75-81° F
Weather – Okinawa’s subtropical climate keeps it comfortable and temperate year-round. During winter, temperatures rarely drop below 10° C/50° F, and during summer you’ll feel comfortable in a shade when the sea breeze blows. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s strong rays. The southern islands, such as Miyako and Ishigaki, tend to be 1-2° C/2-4° F warmer than Okinawa Island.
Featured Creatures – Thanks to the subtropical temperatures, Okinawa has a rich diversity and many marine species can be found year-round including: anthias, butterflyfish, boxfish, pufferfish, clownfish, moray eels, octopuses, cuttlefish, sea turtles and manta rays. Divers frequently report seeing large schools of dogtooth tuna and bigeye trevally. During winter, humpback whales visit the seas of Okinawa to breed; however, during this season there is a high possibility of encountering vessels.
Article source:
https://www.padi.com/scuba-vacations/okinawa
Photo credits:
http://www.diveplanit.com
https://travel.gaijinpot.com
http://visitokinawa.cn
http://1.bp.blogspot.com
http://deepbluequest.com
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