Snorkelling/Freediving in the waters of Okinawa

13 comments

1. Side question: Has anyone ever dove with the whale sharks in Onna?

2. https://www.oki-islandguide.com/newslist/dangerous-sea-creatures-in-okinawa

3. Was wondering if anyone had any personal experiences or stories when it comes to diving in Okinawa?

4. Avid diver in Okinawa. I live right off the water. I’m in it on a weekly basis. My biggest fear are cone snails, so I wear water shoes until I’m deep enough to throw on some fins. I haven’t encountered box jellies (knocks on wood), but they are few and far between compared to the other plethora of Jellyfish around, most of which are just a nuisance, my wife has been stung numerous times by these other less deadly species. If you keep an eye out, and avoid swimming into a school of them, then you should be good. Have a healthy level of fear which should drive attention to detail and respect for the risks at hand, but don’t let said fear stop you from getting in the beautiful waters out here.

5. Don’t touch anything that you don’t know what it is. Sharks aren’t a thing. Late summer through fall is jelly season. If you have your face in the water and are paying attention, chances are pretty small that you’ll get stung. That’s mostly a people swimming at the beach kind of thing.

   The most likely thing to kill you is drowning due to currents around the reef dragging you out in a rip. Seriously. This how almost everyone dies in the ocean here. So if you have no experience around the ocean and the way the water moves with tides, wind and waves, go with a guide. Wear floatation.

6. I used to go diving or snorkelling nearly every weekend the weather was right when I lived there. I recommend felt bottom shoes. I’ve seen people slip and nearly die from that alone. Other than that, blue ring octopus, cone snails, and be careful of the crown of thorns starfish and jellies. Also, finding unexploded military explosives is a possibility. I don’t recommend touching literally anything at the bottom. It’s generally safe and fun though. Enjoy!

7. I used to go diving or snorkelling nearly every weekend the weather was right when I lived there. I recommend felt bottom shoes. I’ve seen people slip and nearly die from that alone. Other than that, blue ring octopus, cone snails, and be careful of the crown of thorns starfish and jellies. Also, finding unexploded military explosives is a possibility. I don’t recommend touching literally anything at the bottom. It’s generally safe and fun though. Enjoy!

8. Most people already explained it but also keep an eye out for sea snakes. I have seen one when snorkelling a bit outside of Miyako last summer. They tend to be curious and sneak up on humans.

9. We saw a lot of sea snakes but they left us alone, it was still a little creepy though. Especially on long flat beaches be careful because of box jellyfish. As others have said, wear shoes. I was pregnant when I was snorkelling there and I always wore a full wetsuit. My boyfriend only wore swim trunks and a tshirt and no issues. But we were lucky and didn’t see any jellyfish EDIT spelling

10. i’ve done plenty of snorkeling in miyako, am a complete noob (always wearing a vest) and it was super chill and safe even with sea snakes around a couple of times. it could be that more remote beaches could have higher chances of dangerous animals i wouldn’t be able to tell you

11. All I ever hear about it folks drowning annually. So rare that you hear about marine life injuring someone. Understand rip currents and how they form over shallow reefs during tidal change/swell is pretty important here. It’s nice to carry some sort of dive float when cruising around somewhere new. Keep an eye out for mermaids grotto, a few people have drowned there. As far as marine life goes, a skin suit or wetsuit with felt booties offers great protection. Just my 2 cents, enjoy.

12. Drunk Jarheads?

13. Rockfish and don’t pick up underwater shells, so I’ve been told.