Okinawa Diving

[MikeMc]

Plan on doing some diving in Okinawa end of June / early July - anybody got info. for a good dive shop and CHEAP Place to stay ?
Thanks MikeMc

[MartiniTime]

its been ten years since I dove in OKI. I would look into staying at Kadena airforce base. They have a couple places on base you can stay even if you are not military. It's cheap, does'nt require anything beyond US dollars, and they have everything you need on base.

It is also centrally located, and a short trip to lots of dive places.
Second choice would be Sunabi.

Find a dive shop that caters to the millitary rather than the locals, the prices will be allot easier on you.

You can always just go to the Tori Station dive shop, and just ask around, they will be able to point you in the right direction.

[MikeMc]

Thanks a lot ! I actually found a dive shop there run by ex - US military guy (Richard Ruth) so looks like i'll get around easily enough - would be very interested in staying on base that would be a new experience for me !
Thanks for info. Take care.
MIke

[Jonathan]

Hey, welcome to another Japan based board member.

I'm hopeing to be on Rich's trip first week of July - only problem is that he has now moved the dates and it now no longer goes over a weekend which is a bit of a pain as I am running out of holiday....

Jonathan

[MikeMc]

Hi Jonathen,
I was planning to go end of June like 27th. or 28th. depending on ticket dates - still waiting to hear back from agents - you know any cheap ticketing agents ? (Am in Nagoya) haven't heard any news from Fathoms about dates etc. Hope I don't go and end up just snorkelling alone..........
See you there ?
Bye
MIke

[Jonathan]

Mike,

Have you checked out their web site? www.fathoms.net

They have a trip running to Ishigaki and Yonoguni 1st - 5th July (was originally 4th - 8th). I was hoping to do it as a long weekend but will have to look at my holiday now, also taking a whole week at financial year end may not be allowed...

If you need a buddy for a long weekend then that may work. I use an agent in Tokyo who does my a good deal, only problem is you have to pick up the tickets. I don't know how long you have been here but credit cards are a novelty they really have not worked out here yet. You are probably looking round 30,000 yen ($240) for the flight.....

Jonathan

[MikeMc]

Thanks Jonathan,
But I am going with the intention of finally getting my advanced (I hope !) But for future dives this summer in Japan lets keep in touch I want to get a few more chances this summer and time wise can be reasonably flexible. You live in Tokyo ?
Take CAre. Hope you work your diving out.
MIke

[sunfish]

Credit cards are more common now than they once were. I think JTB and KNT takes them for both hotels and airfare.

Interesting about non-military choosing military-oriented dive services for financial reasons...do you think they'd let a Japanese national dive with them?

[MikeMc]

HI Sunfish,
He is ex-military and I didn't choose them because of that ! (Speaks English and doesn't charge like the Japanese shops do) Check them out
http://www.fathoms.net/
Do you know where I can get a cheap flight ticket from Nagoya to Okinawa ? It is easier and cheaper to buy tickets for foreign countries than to travel domestic.
Bye
MIke

[Jonathan]

Damn - got a visitor to baby sit from the UK so can't make the July trip with Rich. Real shame as another board member is going and also some other people I know - never mind next time.

For the same price as travelling locally (by air) it is often more cost effective to travel to say Guam or Saipan. Look out for special offers for Okinawa - probably the best way.

The cost of diving in Japan is not so much the shops but the fisherman - they control everything that goes on the water and hence under it! Also finding English speaking instructors is quite tricky - I know a couple if you fancy diving Izu.

Jonathan

[MikeMc]

Hi Jonathan,
Will not see you July then ? Well keep in touch and we'll meet up there before the summers out. Enjoy the babysitting.

[MartiniTime]

I used to live in Fusa city.

I dont recognize that guys name, but if you go to Tori station there is an old Army SF Sgt Major named Mike (?) in the area.

Larry's dive shop in Kin CHo is another place to look, two instructors who used to be there are Steve Elliott and Chuck Desesari.

Places to hit. Sunabi sea wall (especially as a night dive). the Toilet bowl. Maeda point.

The diving is second best i have seen, only placed I liked better was micronesia.

[MikeMc]

Thanks Martini Time,
Am going 27th. June will check out the guys you know.
Take Care !
Mike

[AliKat]

Hi. I live (and dive) on Okinawa.

I recommend Rich Ruth at Fathoms for at least one dives. He goes to the Keramas most every weekend, and if you are coming to Okinawa, you gotta go.

I don't know if you have looked into staying on Kadena, but I don't think non-military can. I've had problems trying to make reservations for non-Air Force, and since 11 Sep, you can't even get on base without a military ID or sponsor. But there is a place called the Cat's Inn (or Cat's Eye Inn). I think their rates are about 5000 Yen per night. If you e-mail Fathoms, I think Rich may be able to give you some info

As far as local dives, there are a ton of spots. If you don't have dive buddy, Kadena Marina does guided dives every Sat morning. They are AF, but the Marina is off base, so you can get access. I'm sure they'd take you along military or not. You can also check out a WEB site called H2Okinawa. They have a dive buddy data base.

SunFish, I'm pretty sure anyone can dive with Rich. If you are ever on Oki, I recommend him. He is X-military who took up permanent residence here. His shop is off base and not connected in any way to the military. A lot of us dive with him 'cause we like his boat dives.

Enjoy your trip.

[sunfish]

Thanks, Allison! The info about the nearby hotel is especially helpful. As I am sure you know, run of the mill Japanese hotels can get pretty pricy.

[AliKat]

Jonathan,

Did you say you could not make the Fathoms trip? I just got e-mail from Rich today, and I don't know if this makes a difference, but the dates are still 4-8 July, not 1-5 as on the WEB page.

Not sure if I can make it or not. I'm waiting to hear about a work trip to DC the end of Jun. Don't think I can do both.

[Jonathan]

What with my visitor from the UK and more importantly the flight times would mean having to take 5 days holiday which I can't afford (time wise) I've had to blow out this one.

It's a shame as there was not only the possibilty of meeting up with another board member (maybe!) but also Simon and Anita from PSD Guam may be going as well.

Another time maybe. My instructor in Tokyo is talking about going down maybe later in July and possibly September. I am here for at least another year so there is still opportunity.

If you look on the cc list you now have my work email!! I take it you are number 1 on the list?!

Jonathan

[Jonathan]

H'mmmm looks like "Southern Breezes" just changed it's name with a Typhoon heading your way - I hope it misses you and you have a good trip, kind of glad I'm not booked on though......

Jonathan

[AliKat]

Actually, I ended up with a last minute TAD back to DC last week. Didn't feel like I could do both back to back. So, I guess I should say lukily, I couldn't make the trip.

[WaterDawg]

Hey guys,

If you need more info you can search the web for" Japan Update,Fathoms" see what you come up w/.

Japan Update is the local paper in english.

[BACAUMI]

My Friend WaterDawg told me about this forum...very cool!

When you do a search about Fathoms, type in Japan Update, Fathoms, MCCS

[crazyc]

You can also contact Doug at Reef Encounters 098-968-4442 or via his website at www.reefencounters.org

Hi is also prior military with a shop on Okinawa. He caters to both english and Japanese speaking customers. His staff will pick you up at the airport, take you to your hotel, make hotel and airline reservations for you. Take you diving with a divemaster provided. You name it, unlimited diving and traveling fun.

CrazyC

[Jonathan]

we'll soon have enough people to start our own NDI Chapter!

Welcome to more divers in Japan!

Jonathan

[crazyc]

Jonathan,

What in the world is an NDI chapter?

CrazyC

[Jonathan]

the "area" forums Neptune Diving International (I think) like "UK Wreck Ferrets" etc

Jonathan

[BACAUMI]

Jonathan

Okinawa has a new forum at www.goatdawgs.com

There are a ton of divers on this Rock and the guys that created and run GoatDawgs are trying their best to get a group going here for more Okinawa specific diving information.

What's the diving like up in the mainland?

Bacaumi

[Padipro]

MikeMc once bubbled...
Plan on doing some diving in Okinawa end of June / early July - anybody got info. for a good dive shop and CHEAP Place to stay ?
Thanks MikeMc

Hay Mike,

It's been more like 20 years since I've dove off Okinawa. I got my OW Cert there. I do remember it was nice. Bolo Point near the light house, the Kadena Sea Wall...

If you can, take some pictures of your dives and post them when you get back and let us all know how it was.

Scott

[Rickg]

I dove with Rich while there last SEP. Went to the Keramas for a 2-tank trip on SAT and another 2-tank trip to another island off the northwest coast of Okinawa on SUN.

Had a great trip on both days and highly recommend Rich. Not only good service but the price was hard to beat. At that time he had an "in" with a small hotel next door to his shop for anyone looking for a cheap "Okinawa speaking" place to stay.

Rickg