Alpha Dive Okinawa

Located in Okinawa, Alpha Dive Okinawa serves as a gateway to the Kerama Islands National Park. The centre has been operating since 2019, focusing on the diverse marine ecosystems that define this region of Japan.

Whether you are looking to complete your initial certifications or are an experienced diver seeking drift dives and wreck explorations, the centre provides the logistical support needed for the area. They operate from Ginowan Marina, with shuttle services available for those staying in the Chatan area.

The team operates with a focus on safety and small group sizes. For fun dives, the ratio is one staff member for every six divers, while training sessions are conducted with one instructor for every four students. For those looking to try diving for the first time, the ratio is even more attentive, with one guide for every two participants.

Instruction is available in both English and Japanese. The centre maintains a strict eco-guidance policy, ensuring that no feeding of marine life occurs during dives to protect the local ecosystem.

Alpha Dive Okinawa is a PADI affiliated centre offering a complete progression of courses. Beginners can start with the Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver programmes, with subsequent levels including Adventure Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers PADI specialty courses such as Nitrox (Enriched Air), Deep Diver, and Wreck Diver. They also provide Rescue Diver training and EFR (Emergency First Response) certification.

The centre operates its own boat, the BETA, which is used for excursions to the Kerama Islands and other local sites. The vessel is equipped with freshwater showers and toilets to ensure comfort between dives.

Nitrox is available on board for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The boat is used for a variety of trip types, including standard reef dives, night dives, and seasonal excursions such as swimming with humpback whales.

For divers travelling without their own kit, a full range of equipment is available for hire, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and dive computers. They also provide buoyancy compensators, wetsuits, and underwater cameras for rent.

On-site facilities include hot showers and toilets. Safety equipment is kept on hand, including an AED and a first aid oxygen kit.

The marine life in the Kerama Islands is incredibly diverse. You will regularly encounter sea turtles (Cheloniidae), including Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), alongside large schools of damselfish, jack (Carangidae), and Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda).

Predators are also present in the area, with sightings of sharks (Selachimorpha), including blacktip reef sharks and guitarfish sharks, as well as barracuda. On the reef, you can find various tropical reef fish, clownfish (Amphiprion), and colourful fish darting through the corals.

For macro enthusiasts, the area is a haven for nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), white frogfish, and various species of hatchetfish. You may also spot garden eels and giant moray eels near the sandy patches.

Between January and March, the region hosts humpback whales, offering a unique seasonal opportunity for those interested in large pelagics.

The centre offers night diving opportunities, allowing for a different perspective on the reef's nocturnal activity. Most dives are conducted via boat from Ginowan Marina to reach the various islands and reefs.