Kohamajima Island
Lush coral reefs, diverse marine life, manta encounters, beginner-friendly.
Boat Access
9m Avg Depth
18m Max Depth
About this dive site
This dive site, Kohamajima Island, is a small yet captivating destination located to the east of Iriomote Island in Japan, with a circumference of approximately 16km. The island is known for hosting a luxury resort hotel, suggesting a focus on tourism and well-maintained facilities. Situated between Kohamajima and Iriomote Island is the Yonara Waterway, a significant feature for divers, often associated with unique marine encounters.
Beneath the surface, Kohamajima boasts an extraordinary marine ecosystem, featuring around 400 kinds of colorful coral, including impressive table coral and eda coral formations. The waters teem with beautiful tropical fishes, creating a vibrant underwater spectacle. The Yonara Waterway is particularly renowned for offering encounters with graceful manta rays. Divers can also spot a variety of other fascinating marine life, such as eels, scorpionfish, and the formidable giant scorpionfish that prey on them. A highlight is the presence of a beautiful clump of Ryukyukicka coral, adding to the site's unique biodiversity. In the spring, the area becomes even more dynamic with active spawning of bobwhites.
The best time to visit Kohamajima for a truly special experience is during the spring, when the spawning of bobwhites is active, adding another layer of marine activity to witness. This dive site is suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners due to its manageable maximum depth of 18 meters to more experienced divers who will appreciate the diverse marine life and potential for manta ray encounters. Freedivers will also find the shallow average depths and vibrant coral reefs ideal for exploration. It's an excellent destination for both macro photography enthusiasts and wide-angle photographers, offering abundant subjects.
DivingFreedivingSnorkeling
Plan Your Visit
coral reefmanta raytropical fishbeginner friendlymacro photographywide angledrift dive
Things to Note
Difficulty:
All levels
Shallow depths suitable for beginners, while diverse marine life and mantas appeal to all levels.
Hazards:
currents
Current Strength:
Variable
This dive site information and pictures are sponsored by SSI Service Center Japan
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