EP2. Why Is Diving in Okinawa So Expensive? The Hidden Operating Costs Revealed ft. Umi Dive Oki

Just a 90-minute flight from Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan, is a resort island blessed with crystal-blue waters, exceptional visibility, and rich marine ecosystems. It also offers a distinctly Japanese tourism atmosphere that sets it apart from nearby destinations like the Philippines and Indonesia — and it's precisely these unique qualities that have made Okinawa a favorite getaway for Taiwanese travelers.

But did you know that Okinawa is also an internationally acclaimed diving paradise? The main island alone is home to nearly 100+ dive sites stretching from north to south, encompassing stalactite caves, shark encounters, unique artificial reefs, and even the high-level, strong-current dive sites in the southern area of Itoman. Beyond the main island, the secret dive sites of Kerama Islands National Park and Aguni Island await divers from around the world eager to explore their depths.

In this episode, we invited Ken from Umi Dive Oki to give all fellow divers a comprehensive and in-depth rundown.

Recommended Okinawa Diving – Kerama Islands

If you hold a diving certification, Ken's top recommendation is to visit Kerama Islands National Park, located to the left of the Okinawa main island. The area boasts visibility rivaling that of Green Island and Orchid Island, along with a thriving coral reef ecosystem. Situated along the path of the Kuroshio Current, divers have the chance to witness a variety of migratory fish passing through — and may even hear whales singing underwater!

Another spot Ken highly recommends is Aguni Island (あぐにしょとう, Aguni) — a true insider dive site for anyone visiting Okinawa. Located at the westernmost point of the Kerama Islands, it takes a 2-hour boat ride from the Okinawa main island to reach this tiny gem. Here, you stand a chance of witnessing a dramatic baitball of trevally, encountering the Giant Trevally (GT) — the dream catch for anglers — as well as humphead parrotfish and more. However, few dive boats head out to this location, so if you're keen to unlock this dive site, be sure to book and plan well in advance.

Recommended Okinawa Diving – Okinawa Main Island

The Okinawa main island is dotted with nearly 100+ dive sites from north to south. Starting from the northern tip, you can "experience" cave exploration by diving into stalactite caves — an unforgettable experience for divers who have never dived in a fully enclosed space before.

Moving toward the center of the island, you can visit the USS Emmons wreck near Kouri Island. This 100m-long U.S. Navy destroyer was damaged by Japanese Zero fighter planes during World War II. Rather than risk exposing military secrets, the Americans chose to scuttle the vessel. At a depth of 45m, this is a deep dive that offers a haunting sense of wartime history.

Continuing south to Manza Mo, the highlight dive site is Dream Hole. Once inside the cave, you'll need precise neutral buoyancy control; from within the cave, the opening is shaped remarkably like Pikachu. After exiting the cave, you may also get the chance to observe various species of reef sharks swimming by.

Moving further down from Manza Mo, you'll arrive at Sunabe — the base of operations for Umi Dive Oki. This is a relatively safe and accessible site, ideal for beginners. A single dive here can take you past soft coral, an underwater mailbox, and dramatic cliff walls. Sightings of barracuda and sea turtles are also very common.

At the southern end of the Okinawa main island lies Itoman, an advanced-level dive site. Not only does the dive shop screen divers, but the boat operator also conducts a skills assessment the day before — making it an exceptionally challenging dive destination.

Just How Expensive Is Diving in Okinawa?

On average, a Japanese-run dive shop charges around ¥24,000 for three boat dives in a day, without equipment (approximately NT$5,011 at the exchange rate on 2024.5.2). For a shop offering Chinese-language services, three boat dives per day including equipment runs around ¥30,000 (approximately NT$6,264 at the exchange rate on 2024.5.2).

For a shore dive with a single scuba tank / cylinder, prices range from ¥12,000 to ¥15,000, which includes equipment and insurance — equivalent to approximately NT$2,500 to NT$3,132.

Ken believes that because labor and living costs in Japan are high, along with various hidden overheads, the final retail price is considerably higher than in Southeast Asia or even Taiwan. That said, Japan offers a safe social environment and a comfortable travel experience — a kind of dive travel experience that no other country can quite replicate.

Rules to Know When Diving in Japan

The most important principle when diving in Japan is to avoid causing inconvenience to others.

Ken, Umi Dive Oki

It's well known that Japanese culture places great importance on not inconveniencing others, and this standard is applied equally to diving guests. If you're on a boat operated by a non-Japanese operator, you may not need to worry too much about these unspoken rules. But if you're boarding a Japanese-operated boat, you must respect local customs and etiquette — don't be the kind of traveler who falls short of that standard.

For example, where you stow your gear and how you move on and off the boat all follow specific conventions. Smoking on the boat or playing music too cheerfully can easily become a nuisance to others.

"Punctuality" is another detail the Japanese care deeply about. Beyond the agreed meeting time, dive time is something divers frequently get wrong. In Japan, everyone is strictly required to honor the agreed dive duration. Even if your scuba tank / cylinder still reads 100 bar, when your dive time is up, you must surface on time as agreed.

Unless you have chartered the boat exclusively, any deviation will cause inconvenience to others.

The Hidden Costs of Running a Legal Dive Shop

Taxes of All Kinds

Operating a business in Japan means facing a wide array of taxes from day one — including national tax, prefectural tax, municipal tax, local tax, and corporate tax. These can account for roughly 30% of total revenue, leaving only 70% to cover actual operating expenses. The cost of running things by the book becomes immediately apparent.

Qualified Work Status

In Japan, if you wish to work as a diving professional, you must hold not only an internationally recognized dive instructor certification but also an additional Japanese national qualification — the 潛水仕 (diver's license). This is a national examination conducted entirely in Japanese, so before you can legally qualify, you'll also need to put in serious effort to master the language.

Once you have both certifications, the next challenge is your working status. As in many countries, a tourist visa does not permit you to work. You'll need to apply for a "Skilled Worker Visa" in order to legally engage in diving work in Japan. Applying for this visa also requires proof of at least three years of relevant work experience in another country.

All of these challenges quietly drive up the operating and staffing costs for anyone hoping to establish a legitimate business in Japan offering Chinese-language (or other foreign-language) services.

Comprehensive Insurance

Safety is a non-negotiable priority — and this principle is implemented even more thoroughly in Japan. The moment a customer steps into the dive shop, "facility liability insurance" kicks in. When they board the dive vehicle, "commercial vehicle insurance" is activated. When they enter the water, "dive insurance" takes effect. Of course, all of this represents a very real cost.

Ken's background is in promoting international rescue standards, so he is deeply committed to upholding safety principles and managing risk — and he has embedded this philosophy into every aspect of running Umi Dive Oki.

The Choice Between Legal and Illegal Ultimately Falls to the Consumer

Ken also shared, with some resignation, that when two shops charge the same price, the legally operating shop that provides full coverage inevitably incurs unavoidable operating costs.

Illegal operators, on the other hand, don't have to pay these costs — yet may still charge customers the same rates. Some even undercut their competitors precisely because they don't bear these expenses. Consumers may think they're getting a good deal, but they're unknowingly putting themselves at risk.

The ocean in Japan is a free ocean — but that freedom is built on whether or not you respect the environment.

Ken, Umi Dive Oki

Okinawa Dive Rules Channel Launches!

Starting May 10, 2024, Ken and his team will begin airing their brand-new original series "Okinawa Dive Rules." The show takes a fresh perspective and a new viewpoint to introduce viewers to Okinawa, following two diving novices as they progress step by step from an Open Water (PADI/SSI cert) course, building their scuba diving skills along the way — while sharing hidden-gem local itineraries full of fun, interesting, and delicious Okinawa experiences. Subscribe to the "Okinawa Dive Rules" channel now to stay up to date!

Related Links

• Umi Dive Oki Official Website
• Okinawa Dive Rules YouTube Channel

Further Reading