Uruma Scuba

Uruma Scuba is situated on Henza Island, the first island you reach after crossing the Kaichu Road in Okinawa. The centre is conveniently located on the ground floor of Hotel Heian, serving as a long-standing hub for divers in the region. From this base, you can access a diverse range of marine environments, from the expansive Uruma Barrier Reef to the sheltered bays of Kin and Nakagusuku.

The area is defined by its unique geography, featuring a 15 km stretch of barrier reef that is one of the few of its kind in Japan. The surrounding fringing reefs along the coasts of Ikeiji, Miyagi, and Hamahiga act as vital nurseries for juvenile fish, creating a rich and bustling ecosystem for both recreational and professional divers.

As an SSI Diamond Center and an official Instructor Training Center, Uruma Scuba operates at the highest level of the SSI global network. This status is reserved for centres that meet the most stringent international requirements for training and operational excellence. The team is composed of highly qualified and experienced professionals capable of supporting divers from their very first breath underwater through to the highest levels of professional certification.

The centre is equipped to handle a wide spectrum of divers, including beginners, experienced professionals, and freedivers. Instruction and guiding are conducted in both English and Japanese, making it an accessible destination for the international diving community. The staff focuses on individualised service, ensuring that training and guided excursions are tailored to the specific needs and experience levels of each diver.

Uruma Scuba offers a comprehensive curriculum through SSI, ranging from initial certifications to professional instructor development. For those starting their journey, the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver programmes provide the essential foundation. The centre also provides specialized training such as the SSI Stress & Rescue course and various SSI Specialty Programs.

For professional divers, the centre is a key hub for career progression, offering Divemaster, Open Water Instructor, and Specialty Instructor courses. They also provide advanced training for those looking to specialise further, including Assistant Instructor Trainer and React Right instruction. Freediving enthusiasts can also find training through the Basic Freediver and Basic Freediver Instructor programmes.

The centre features a dedicated retail shop stocked with equipment from reputable brands including Aqualung, Mares, Apeks, Suunto, and Stream Trail. For those who prefer to travel light, a full range of rental kit is available, including BCDs, regulators, computers, masks, fins, snorkels, and wetsuits.

On-site facilities include a classroom for theoretical training and a retail space. Divers have access to the showers and toilet facilities provided by Hotel Heian, and there is free parking available for those arriving by car.

The reefs around Uruma are a haven for a vast array of tropical fish. You will encounter various species including Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), Parrotfish (Calotomus), and Triggerfish (Balistidae). Schools of Jack (Carangidae) and Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) are often seen patrolling the reef, alongside various tropical reef fish and damselfish.

Large pelagics and reef residents add excitement to the dives, with Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), blacktip reef sharks, and various Rays (Batoidea) frequently appearing. You may also spot Sea turtles (Cheloniidae), including the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), moving through the water column.

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host a variety of smaller, intricate creatures. Look closely for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), leaf scorpionfish, and white frogfish. Garden eels and various anemone fish can be found settled in the sandy patches and coral structures.

The reef structure itself is built upon a vibrant foundation of corals, providing the essential habitat for the entire ecosystem, from tiny crustaceans to large predators.