Diving in Fukuoka offers a unique opportunity to explore the underwater wonders of Kyushu Island's southern coast. With its proximity to the sea and diverse marine ecosystems, Fukuoka attracts diving enthusiasts from around the world.
The prefecture boasts several diving shops in the city of Fukuoka, catering to both beginners and experienced divers. These shops provide equipment rental, guided dives, and certification courses for those looking to delve into the underwater world.
One of the highlights of diving in Fukuoka is the variety of dive sites available. From vibrant coral reefs to intriguing shipwrecks, divers can explore a range of underwater landscapes teeming with marine life. Popular dive sites include the reefs off the coast of Itoshima and the underwater rock formations near Genkai Island.
With clear waters and moderate currents, Fukuoka offers ideal conditions for diving year-round. However, the best time to dive may vary depending on the specific dive site and seasonal weather patterns.
Whether you're a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Fukuoka's diving scene offers something for everyone. So grab your gear and dive into the enchanting underwater world waiting to be discovered off the shores of Fukuoka Prefecture.
30min drive from center Fukuoka. An Island located in the Fukuoka Bay
The Island itself is connected to the main land. Very popular diving site as it is a short distance from the big city and the large schoolof Japanese horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) chased by the large sized greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is a sight to see.
It is important to use a city type diving service as this diving location does not have a proper diving facility on site.
Visibility during summer is around 5m but during the Autumn to the Winter season the visivility picks up to 20m.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.677925,130.300426
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life
Summer season:
-Schoolof Japanese horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus)
-Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
Autumn season:
-Neon damselfish (Pomacentrus coelestis)
-Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus)
-Dart fish(Ptereleotrinae)
The sacred shinto Island
Okinoshima is an island, part of the city of Munakata, Fukuoka. It is considered as sacred Shinto god.
It is famous because of it is off limits to women.
For centuries, only 200 men were allowed on the island each year on a selected day after they had "purified" themselves in the surrounding sea.
For Diving it is a 2hour boat ride from Fukuoka. This Ocean considered ”Exciting”to the local divers for it's large school of fishes and dynamic landscape.
The visibility can go up to 40-50m.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=34.243559,130.104947
All year round:
-Yellowsail Red Bass(Callanthias japonicus)
*Seen at depth of 40-50m:NormalHabitat 70m-200m
-School of Scalefin anthia(Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
-School of Chicken grunt(Parapristipoma trilineatum)
-School of Yellowstriped butterfish(Labracoglossa argentiventris)
-School of Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor)
-Variety of nudibranch
Home of the endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), Koinoura is a popular diving area for the local underwater photographers. There is no diving shops on the site so if you want to try this diving area, you need to join the diving service in the Fukuoka city area.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.805878,130.450212
A popular scenic tourist site, Futamigaura is very popular among the locals. The sunset view here are said to be spectacular.
As for diving, local diving shops visit this area on a favorable wind conditions between May to October. Nudibranch and seahorses are just some of the marine creatures you can see here.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.639829,130.197436
A boat diving location in the mouth of the Fukuoka bay. It is a shallow area with 8 macro diving area on the bay side and 12 outside area where you can see the larger schooling fishes.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.641777,130.229584
