Nagasaki Prefecture, situated on the southern tip of Japan's Kyushu Island, boasts a rich historical heritage intertwined with its captivating diving opportunities.
While Nagasaki is renowned for its significant role in Japan's history, particularly regarding the introduction of Christianity in the late 16th century, it also stands out as a premier destination for diving enthusiasts. The prefecture's diverse coastal landscape, which includes the Goto Islands, offers a wealth of underwater attractions for divers of all levels.
Omura Bay, nestled in Nagasaki's tranquil waters, provides a serene diving experience characterized by calm conditions and diverse marine life. Just 30 minutes from Nagasaki City lies Tatsunokuchi, another excellent diving location known for its vibrant underwater ecosystems and accessibility.
However, it is the Goto Islands that truly elevate Nagasaki as a diving destination. The islands are blessed with the unique Tsushima Current, a branch of the Kuroshio Current, which creates a distinct ecological environment supporting both tropical and cold-water marine species. This rich biodiversity makes Goto Islands ideal for drift diving, allowing divers to explore dynamic underwater landscapes teeming with life.
Most diving sites around the Goto Islands are conveniently located within 20 minutes from the boat harbor, providing easy access for divers. Unlike some dive destinations where boats return to harbor after each dive, in Nagasaki, boats typically remain at sea, enabling divers to maximize their underwater exploration during each excursion.
The optimal diving season in Nagasaki spans from September through October when visibility exceeds 15 meters, offering exceptional underwater clarity. During other months, plankton levels may slightly reduce visibility to around six to eight meters, but the marine life remains abundant and diverse throughout the year.
Whether you're drawn to Nagasaki's rich history or its stunning underwater landscapes, diving in this prefecture promises an unforgettable experience that combines cultural exploration with marine adventure.
The Gotō Islands, the "five-island archipelago" in the East China Sea
Located off the western coast of Kyushu.
The Tsushima Current (a branch of the Kuroshio) passes around the islands making this ecology very unique with both tropical and cold area marine life live side by side.
The Kamigoto area offers the underwater acient remains called "Korai Sone".
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of seahorses
-Large school of fishes
Summer months:
-School of chicken grunt (Parapristipoma trilineatum)
-School of Slender sweeper (Parapriacanthus ransonneti)
-School of Barface cardinalfish (Apogon semilineatus)
The Tsushima Current (a branch of the Kuroshio) passes around the islands making this ecology very unique with both Tropical and cold area marine life live side by side.
The Shimogoto area offers the largest leisure underwater wreck in Japan. the lenghth of he wreck is over 100m.
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of seahorses
-Large school of fishes
Summer months:
-School of chicken grunt (Parapristipoma trilineatum)
-School of Slender sweeper (Parapriacanthus ransonneti)
-School of Barface cardinalfish (Apogon semilineatus)
A 1hour ride on a Speed ferry, Ikinoshima Island is a popular tourist destination for the locals. Noted internationally as the most southern Coral reef colony in the world.
You can enjoy both the macro dive creatures to the large schools of fishes in this ocean.
Located only 30min away from the center of Nagasaki City, Tatsunokuchi is a popular diving destination in Kyushu area. It is a beach entry point but the depth can be as deep as 30m, giving more variety to what you can see here. You can always dive here as this area is protected from bad weather conditions .
Omura Bay is located in the center of Nagasaki Prefecture with maximum depth of 5m, averaging depth 2m. A shallow bay with many local marine life seen only around Japan. If you are a underwater photographer, you will probably not swim around to capture the beautiful underwater scenes you find here.
Underwater treasure box of ocean creatures "Kujukushima Island"
Kujūku Islands is a group of islands ranging in the west coast of Kitamatsuura Peninsula, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The name Kujūku-shima translates to "ninety-nine islands", though the total number of the islands is formally considered to be two hundred and eight. The whole area is designated as part of Saikai National Park. Here you can find many aquatic life with every dive.
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of seahorses
-Large school of fishes
Open sea points:
-Spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari)
-School of Red seabream(Pagrus major)
