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When most people think of scuba diving in Okinawa, the Blue Cave is almost always the first place that comes to mind. Whether it's a discover scuba experience, snorkeling, or a Fun Dive, anyone who has looked into Okinawa diving will be familiar with the spot. To be honest, after I got my dive certification in 2015, I headed to Okinawa on my own, randomly booked a local dive shop through a tourist information center brochure, and was taken straight to the Blue Cave for a Fun Dive. The Blue Cave is truly a world-class dive site — perfect for divers who are just starting out. There are abundant fish, gorgeous light effects inside the cave, and you can spot a wide variety of Clownfish and coral reefs even in the shallows. If you're a beginner, this is absolutely the top recommended dive site!
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Okinawa's Hidden Diving Gems
But what I want to introduce today is Hedo Cape (辺戸岬) — the northernmost dive site on Okinawa's main island — mysterious and spectacular!
If you're not a complete beginner and, like me, love exploring off-the-beaten-path dive sites, you absolutely cannot miss this. Who says the Okinawa main island only has the Blue Cave?! Keep following along — let's go!
First, a few important points to note. Since this area uses small boats, and involves drift diving and deep diving, it is not particularly suitable for beginner divers. Details are as follows:
Difficulty: Advanced
Dive type: Boat dive / drift (no anchor)
Recommended qualifications: AOW 50+ dives / experience with boat drift diving / good neutral buoyancy / own dive computer and ability to use it / understanding of deco (says the fussy instructor — that's me).
Note: As the dive involves entering a dark, enclosed space, it is not recommended for those with claustrophobia.
Thinking about giving up after reading this!? No — please don't worry at all. If you're a newcomer, keep building your skills; places like Kerama or the Blue Cave are already luxurious training grounds. And for experienced divers — time to book those flights!
So let's talk about what's at the dive sites:
Those of you who have visited Okinawa have probably heard of Gyokusendo Cave. But if you're a diver and you don't know there's a stalactite cave up north where you can explore underwater, you're really missing out!
Hedo Domu (Stalactite Cave Dive Site)
A true cavern dive — the entrance is at about 15 m, and it is extremely dark. Once inside the cave, you can admire incredibly beautiful stalactites said to have formed 20,000 years ago!
The unique topography causes fresh water and salt water to mix inside the cave, creating a halocline effect. Deep inside the submarine stalactite cave there is an air dome — accessible only to divers — which is incredibly mysterious. Apparently, a new species of cricket was discovered inside the air dome; this cricket has no eyes and makes no sound! Didn't we say only divers can get in there? It's truly unbelievable — how on earth did a cricket get inside?! You absolutely have to dive here; it's so much fun! The exit is a large, backlit opening, where schools of small snapper occasionally pass through in a mesmerizing swirl — an incredibly mysterious space all around!
photo credit Takatsuki
photo credit Takatsuki
photo credit Takatsuki
photo credit Takatsuki
photo credit Takatsuki
Nikami Rock (二神岩)
The depth here is around 40 m, and the focal point of the dive site is two enormous reef rocks! Visibility is excellent, and the drift diving approach means it looks absolutely spectacular even from a distance. The site features a gorgeous wall of soft coral, along with frequent appearances of large schools of pelagic fish — tuna, fusiliers, and sea bass — forming impressive fish walls. I always feel an inexplicable rush of excitement every time I go! Divers have also spotted Whitetip Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks, and Humphead Wrasse here!
photo credit Takatsuki
photo credit Takatsuki
photo credit Takatsuki
Banta
About a 5-minute boat ride from the harbour, this site is often used as the first dive of the day to check conditions, or as a go-to when the wind direction isn't ideal. The dive site beneath the cliff is incredibly interesting! Maximum depth can extend to 50 m, and when visibility is good, it is truly breathtaking! Must-see highlights here include the dawn goby and the deep-dwelling elegant goby — though they're found at greater depths, so be careful not to go into deco! Schools of grouper and fusiliers frequently appear, and large pelagic fish sightings are certainly possible too. There are even reports of Thresher Sharks spotted at this site!!
photo credit Takatsuki
photo credit Takatsuki
Of course, there are many more sites beyond these three — but these alone are already classics! If you're looking to dive something different, keep following my posts! Beautiful Okinawa has so much more to offer beyond the Blue Cave. If you already have some solid diving experience under your belt, I highly recommend planning a special Okinawa dive trip. Feel free to reach out to me anytime for insider tips!
About Diver_Olive's Diving Profile
In 2015 — Earned OW certification in Orchid Island
In 2016 — Took a year off from diving
In 2017 — Joined 揪潛水 and earned AOW
Dive travels to Green Island / Orchid Island / Xiaoliuqiu / Penghu / Okinawa / Cebu / Puerto Princesa / Sipadan
In 2018 — Earned scuba instructor certification in Okinawa (PADI JAPAN) and passed Japan's national diver examination
Currently working at mic21 Okinawa Naha Store
(Feel free to ask me anything about Okinawa diving)
And of course, don't forget the limited-time collaboration deal launched this year between mic21 Okinawa Naha Store and BlueTrend!
Head to Okinawa and shop till you drop!!!
Click Here to Grab the Deal Now!!
2019 mic21 Okinawa Naha Store Limited-Time Offer
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is a BlueTrend dive trip different from an unknown, no-name dive group?
Choosing us means full peace-of-mind protection and a smooth experience from start to finish. Every trip we run holds to three things.
First, full legal protection and a professional dive leader: we strictly follow Taiwan's travel regulations and provide complete travel-agency liability insurance, travel insurance, trip-inconvenience insurance and dive insurance. Every group is accompanied by a certified, foreign-language dive leader who joins you on both the dives and the land itinerary, liaising seamlessly with local dive shops and operators on your behalf to keep things running smoothly — the person our travellers trust most.
Second, fully licensed with secure payments: every payment goes into a licensed travel agency's account, with multiple safe payment channels (bank transfer, credit card and more) and a legal collect-and-remit receipt, so every transaction is open, transparent and protected, avoiding the fraud and dispute risks of transferring money privately to an individual.
Third, hand-picked quality we vet in person: every trip, dive site and partner shop is scouted on the ground by our own team, from the guides' professionalism and safety standards to the food, lodging, environment and service details on land, all vetted by us so you don't get caught out.
I want to sign up for a dive trip. Are there certification-level or logged-dive requirements?
Each dive site is different, so the entry bar varies. 'Bali Tulamben', for instance, is relatively beginner-friendly. 'Malapascua in the Philippines' is also beginner-friendly, but since thresher sharks tend to cruise between 20 and 30 metres, we recommend AOW certification with 20+ logged dives to enjoy this trip comfortably. For 'the Maldives' or 'Palau', we suggest AOW with 50+ logged dives for a more relaxed experience. If you're not sure whether your experience fits the trip you want, message us and our dive editors will assess it and help you find the trip you'll feel safest on.
Can I join if I'm signing up alone? How are rooms arranged?
Plenty of our travellers sign up solo! For rooms and beds, we prioritise pairing you with a same-gender traveller, and if you'd rather have your own space you can pay the difference to upgrade to a single room. For the diving, our professional leader will pair you with a suitable buddy, and with the happy vibe on our trips you'll quickly make a great group of dive friends. Many people sign up alone, make new friends, and end up organising the next trip together!
Does the trip fee include dive insurance, gear rental, taxes and instructor tips?
It depends on the trip, the destination's regulations and the local operators. Every BlueTrend dive trip has a detailed web page with a clear 'included / not included' list, transparent and with no hidden charges. All payments are collected by a licensed travel agency, with a standard-form contract for your protection.
I'm a new diver / haven't dived in a long time — will I fall behind the group?
Before you complete your booking, our team assesses a suitable trip based on your certification level and experience. Before departure, we strongly recommend taking time to refresh in Taiwan with an instructor, or a fun dive to get your feel back. On the trip itself, our professional dive leader groups and pairs everyone by experience, keeps a close eye underwater on travellers who need extra care, and steps in to help right away.
Will the photos and videos taken during the trip be shared with us?
During the dives, 'safety' is always the leader's top priority, so whenever it's suitable and safe the leader will capture great shots and record the best moments. During or after the trip, we compile a cloud album for all travellers to download, so you go home loaded with memories!
Besides your scheduled trips, can you arrange a private group charter or independent travel for me and my friends?
Absolutely! Besides group trips, we also arrange private group charters and independent travel. We can communicate, enquire and coordinate services with local operators based on your needs, saving you time and effort and taking the language barrier off your plate, to tailor the smoothest, most reassuring dive trip just for you. Contact our LINE support and our editors will arrange it for you!
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