All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life
-Variety of sharks
-Large school of fishes
-Giant cuttlefish(Sepia (Sepia) latimanus)
About Kagoshima
Diving in Kagoshima Prefecture offers a diverse and exciting underwater experience, ranging from the unique volcanic landscapes around Sakurajima Island to the pristine waters surrounding the Amami Islands.
Situated on the island of Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture boasts a remarkable geographical diversity, including the active volcano Sakurajima and the scenic Amami Islands chain. While Sakurajima provides opportunities for land-based exploration, including hiking and enjoying panoramic views, its surrounding waters offer intriguing diving experiences.
Diving around Sakurajima Island and its surrounding bay allows divers to explore underwater landscapes shaped by volcanic activity. From rugged volcanic rock formations to unique marine habitats, divers can encounter a variety of marine life, including colorful fish and other fascinating creatures.
Beyond Sakurajima, Kagoshima Prefecture's island chains offer even more diving opportunities. Stretching from mainland Kyushu to the Okinawa Islands, these islands boast sub-tropical to tropical ocean environments, providing divers with a range of dive sites to explore.
Whether you're intrigued by the volcanic landscapes around Sakurajima or drawn to the pristine waters of the Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture promises an unforgettable diving experience that showcases the region's natural beauty and rich marine biodiversity.
Local Areas
Kagoshima Area Map
Areas in Kagoshima
Amami Oshima North
Big fish diving on the Pacific side
Amami Ōshima is one of the Satsunan Islands, and is the largest island within the Amami archipelago between Kyūshū and Okinawa.
The island is of volcanic origin, with Mount Yuwanda at 605 metres above sea level at its highest peak. The coast of the island is surrounded by a coral reef. It is surrounded by the East China Sea on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east.
THe North side of the Island is closest to the airport. YOu may be able to dive on the day you arrive this Island. YOu can both enjoy the calm bay and the outsaide ocean, where you have the chance to encounter the big schooling fishes.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=28.43911,129.695663
Kagoshima-Amami Oshima North
What you can see
Swim, kayak and dive at one of Japan's top island getaways
Travel guide by the Japan National Tourism Organization Amami Oshima is located in the South China Sea between Kyushu and...
Shops in the area
Amami Diving Shop Never Land 奄美大島ダイビングショップ ネバーランド
Amami Oshima Center area
Choice of variety of diving points from North to the South
Amami Ōshima is one of the Satsunan Islands, and is the largest island within the Amami archipelago between Kyūshū and Okinawa.
The island is of volcanic origin, with Mount Yuwanda at 605 metres above sea level at its highest peak. The coast of the island is surrounded by a coral reef. It is surrounded by the East China Sea on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east.
The center area has access to all of the Island, giving you more choices during your stay.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=28.282009,129.377059
Kagoshima-Amami Oshima Center area
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life
-Variety of sharks
-Large school of fishes
-Giant cuttlefish(Sepia (Sepia) latimanus)
Swim, kayak and dive at one of Japan's top island getaways
Travel guide by the Japan National Tourism Organization Amami Oshima is located in the South China Sea between Kyushu and...
Amami Oshima South area
Relax diving between the 3 large Islands
Amami Ōshima is one of the Satsunan Islands, and is the largest island within the Amami archipelago between Kyūshū and Okinawa.
The island is of volcanic origin, with Mount Yuwanda at 605 meters above sea level at its highest peak. The coast of the island is surrounded by a coral reef. It is surrounded by the East China Sea on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east.
The south side is more protected and you can enjoy the relaxed fish watching time underwater. enjoy it's beautiful coral reefs and beautiful underwater sand dunes.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=28.124677,129.26033
Kagoshima-Amami Oshima South area
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life
-Variety of sharks
-Large school of fishes
-Giant cuttlefish(Sepia (Sepia) latimanus)
Swim, kayak and dive at one of Japan's top island getaways
Travel guide by the Japan National Tourism Organization Amami Oshima is located in the South China Sea between Kyushu and...
Okinoerabujima
The famous giant ball of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)
Okinoerabujima is one of the Satsunan Islands, classed with the Amami archipelago between Kyūshū and Okinawa.The island is an elevated coralline island with a length of approximately 20 km and width of 7 km, with Mount Ōyama at 246 m above sea level at its highest peak.In the eastern part of the island is an extensive limestone cave system, one of the largest in Asia. The coast of the island is surrounded by a coral reef. The average temperature is 22C and the average water temperature is about 23C.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=27.368718,128.586044
Kagoshima-Okinoerabujima
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Tropical marine animals
-Giant cuttlefish(Sepia (Sepia) latimanus)
-Sea tuttle (During May Seaturtle Spawning on the beach)
-Bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)
-Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor)
Deep blue waters, coral reefs, and pristine beaches meet an iconic limestone cave system on this southerly Japanese island
Travel guide by the Japan National Tourism Organization Okinoerabu Island, the second-most southerly of the Amami Islands , is famous...
Yoronjima
Crystal clear ocean with dynamic underwater terrain
Yoronjima, Okinawan and Yoron is one of the Amami Islands.Yoronjima is the southernmost of the Amami Islands and is located approximately 22 km north of Hedo Point, the northernmost point of Okinawa Island. and 563 km south of the southern tip of Kyushu.
The island is an elevated coralline island with a highest point 97 m above sea level. The coast of the island is surrounded by a coral reef. Diving on the north side, you can enjoy the coroal reef diving and wreck diving. Here you can most like encounter a friendly sea turtle.
As the Island has no river and are surrounded by 1000m deep ocean, the visibility can get up to 20-35m. The average water temperature of around 23c makes diving here a treat.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=27.045366,128.430519
Kagoshima-Yoronjima
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Tropical marine animals
-Giant cuttlefish(Sepia (Sepia) latimanus)
-Sea tuttle (During May Seaturtle Spawning on the beach)
-Bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)
-Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor)
A Greek village, phantom beach and fictional railway station on a secluded tropical isle
Travel guide by the Japan National Tourism Organization Otherwise known as Yoronjima or Yoronto, Yoron Island is one of the...
Yamakawaoki Kamise
Open only between March to August, Kamise has a series of underwater reefs rising up to 6m depth. In Spring time, you may encounter large school of Tuna and dolphins. Also there are sightings of Thrasher Sharks and hammerheads here.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=31.124673,130.618277
Kagoshima-Yamakawaoki Kamise
Kutajima
Located 12km off the coast of Kagoshima, Kutajima Island enjoys the excellent visibility and a drop off to the depth of 40m. The marine life is abundant. From schooling large fishes to macro life.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=31.550197,130.228781
Kagoshima-Kutajima
Tanegashima Island
Tanegashima is famous for it's rocket launch station, it is only a 35min plane ride or a 1hour35min Speed ferry ride from Kagoshima.
Underwater, the diving sites are generally shallow but the currents are strong. Drift diving from the boat is the norm here. If you prefer a more relaxing fish watching dive, you ca also enjoy the beach diving points around the Island.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=30.602458,130.998545
Kagoshima-Tanegashima Island
Iwojima Island
Still an active volcano, the volcanic activity can be seen on the Island and in the sea around the Island. There is no diving shop on the Island itself so you need to find a diving shop excursion trip from Kagoshima.
Underwater, the marine life is bursting with many size fishes schooling around.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=30.793756,130.299882
Kagoshima-Iwojima Island
Tokunoshima Island
Located in the center of the Amami Islands, Tokunoshima nature is still untouched compared to the other Islands. From this reason, it is very popular amongst the core divers in Japan. 30%of the diving sites here is a beach dive. Giving you many sites to choose from.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=27.751608,128.967083
Kagoshima-Tokunoshima Island
Minami Satsuma
Abundant marine life with excellent visibility.
Located on the Satsuma peninsula Kagoshima. A diving point located in the sawtooth shaped coastline.Many underwater photographer keep going back to this wonderful diving location as it offers many rare and beautiful marine creatures all year round.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=31.422568,130.170295
Kagoshima-Minami Satsuma
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Ornate slippery goby(Lubricogobius ornatus)
-harlequin shrimp(Hymenocera picta)
Bonotsu
Kyusyu's top visibility diving site
Bonotsu is a town located in Kawanabe District. Facing the East China Sea and getting the full benefit from the Black current, the visibility here is always 15m over and can reach up to 30m during the Winter months.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=31.281906,130.229508
Kagoshima-Bonotsu
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata)
-Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
-Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata)
-Scalefin anthias(Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
-Stocky anthias(Pseudanthias hypselosoma )
-Bicolor anthias(Pseudanthias bicolor)
Sakurajima Island Kinkowan Bay
Lava made drop off and Macro heaven!
The symble of Kagoshima, the Sakurajima is a 55km meter Island n the center of the Kinko bay. Sakurajima is an easy 15min(24hours operation) ferry ride access from the center of Kagoshima city.
Over 200m deep, with the dynamic drop off made by the lava, the Kagoshima diving spot will be a qunique experience. The must see item here are the large school of Red-belted anthias(Pseudanthias rubrizonatus Randall, 1983).Normally found in the deep waters 40-50m around Japan, here you can see them at depth of 10-15m.
This area was designated as a "Sakurajima-Kinkowan Geopark" with many onland tourist atttractions.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=31.581313,130.654735
Kagoshima-Sakurajima Island Kinkowan Bay
What you can see
What you can see:
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-School of Red-belted anthias(Pseudanthias rubrizonatus)
-Large colonies of Yellow faced shrimp goby(Stonogobiops xanthorhinica)
-Blue hana goby(Ptereleotris hanae)
The Power and Natural Beauty of a Real Volcano, at Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park
Article by the Japan National Tourism Organization published on 2017/8 Plumes of smoke rise over an expansive lava field, like...
Shops in the area
DIVING SHOP SB ダイビングショップSB
Yakushima Island
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve
Yakushima is one of the Ōsumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The recommended access to the island is by hydrofoil ferry,or by air to Yakushima Airport. The majority of the island is within the borders of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park.In 1980 an area of 18,958 ha was designated a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve, and since then, many visitors from all over the world visit this Island.Due to the Black current, the visibility can be over 20m all through the year.
If you love nature both on land and underwater, this is the place to visit.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=30.336435,130.521354
Yakushima
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of seahorses
-Large school of fishes
End of May to End of July:
-Sea turtle spawning on the beaches
-Variety of Tropical marine animals
Enjoy trekking in the mystic forest of Yakushima Island
Article by the Japan National Tourism Organization published on 2015/2 Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, a place many Japanese people...
Shops in the area
Yakushima Diving Service MORITOUMI 屋久島ダイビングサービス もりとうみ
Kuchinoshima
Big fish diving in yet to be explored ocean
Located in the black current's path, you can see large school of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) at Kuchinoshima Island all year round. If your lucky, you can snorkel with the mantas here. Divers often refer this Island as Palau.The water temperature average around 22C all year.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=29.966534,129.926033
Kagoshima-Kuchinoshima
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Large school of fishes
-Variety of sharks
-Bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)
-Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis)
-Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) *not in AUgust・September
During Autumn season:
-School of spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari)
End of October to Mid May:
-Manta ray (Manta birostris)
Average Water Temperatures
