Scuba Season
Underwater at Aka Island Coral Garden
Moorish Idol confirmed 2 months agoPeak season now

Aka Island Coral Garden

Kerama Islands · Japan

The north shore of Aka Island hosts one of the densest stands of hard coral in the entire Ryukyu Archipelago, with table Acropora colonies exceeding two metres across packed so tightly that the reef crest resembles an underwater forest canopy. The site descends gently from 5 to 25 metres over successive coral terraces, each terrace supporting distinct fish communities from damselfish nurseries in the shallows to large sweetlips and grouper on the deeper rubble slope. Kerama blue — the island's signature water colour — delivers visibility frequently exceeding 30 metres, giving divers unobstructed views across the entire terrace system.

Conditions

Depth

5 to 25 m

Open water and up

Current

Usually still

Can pick up on the edge

Visibility

20 to 30 m

Clearest in the calm season

Water

19 to 30°C

3mm wetsuit

Month by month

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Your chances of seeing each animal

See all species recorded here →

Gear

  • Basic kit

    • Mask and fins
    • BCD and regulator
    • 5mm full wetsuit · cooler water
    • Dive computer