Geruma Turtle Cleaning Station
Kerama Islands · Japan
A shallow coral bommie off Geruma Island's eastern point has become a dedicated cleaning station where green and hawksbill turtles queue patiently while surgeonfish and wrasse work over their shells and flippers, sometimes accommodating five or six turtles at once in a spectacle that feels almost choreographed. The site sits in calm, sheltered water rarely deeper than 18 metres, making it an excellent choice for newer divers who can hover neutrally and observe at close range without disturbing the behaviour. Soft coral fans line the surrounding walls in purples and oranges, and the sandy channels between bommies shelter garden eels swaying in the gentle current.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 18 m
Good for beginners
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 | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Green Sea Turtle
Last confirmed May 18, 2026 · 28 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 · 19 records
Very likely
Most dives
Ijima'S Turtle-Headed Sea Snake
Last confirmed Apr 28, 2026 · 16 records
Very likely
Most dives
Clark'S Anemonefish
Last confirmed Apr 19, 2026 · 21 records
Very likely
Most dives
Redfin Butterflyfish
Last confirmed Apr 19, 2026 · 23 records
Very likely
Most dives
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Apr 16, 2026 · 7 records
Very likely
Most dives
Palette Surgeonfish
Last confirmed May 30, 2025 · 3 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Gear