
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
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 19 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 20 |
| Vis (m) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Green Sea Turtle
Last confirmed May 18, 2026 · 29 records
Very likely
Most dives
Blueberry Hermit Crab
Last confirmed May 3, 2026 · 29 records
Very likely
Most dives
Tomato Clownfish
Last confirmed Apr 28, 2026 · 20 records
Very likely
Most dives
Ijima'S Turtle-Headed Sea Snake
Last confirmed Apr 28, 2026 · 17 records
Very likely
Most dives
Clark'S Anemonefish
Last confirmed Apr 19, 2026 · 21 records
Very likely
Most dives
Moorish Idol
Last confirmed May 21, 2026 · 25 records
Very likely
Most dives
Bumphead Parrotfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Manta Ray
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear