I went diving in Kumejima, one of Okinawa's top diving areas!

Kumejima Island is located about 100km west of Okinawa Main Island and about 30 minutes by plane from Naha.

Also known as "Kyumi Island," it is considered the most beautiful island in the Ryukyu Islands.

The seas around Kumejima are teeming with colorful marine life!

With its schools of fish, large marine life, stunning topography, macro life, and coral reefs, this diving area offers something for everyone, from beginners to advanced divers.

This time, I, a diving enthusiast with over 20 years of experience, actually tried diving in Kumejima.

We'll introduce you to recommended diving spots and places to eat after your dive.

<Contents>
1. Recommended diving spots in Kumejima
1-1 Manta Station
1-2 Imazuni
1-3 Stew Pot
1-4 Umagai
1-5 Tonbara
1-6 Bonus Information
2. Kumejima Diving Schedule
3. Kumejima Diving Season
4. Recommended diving services in Kumejima
5. After-dive activities in Kumejima
6. Conclusion

1. Recommended diving spots in Kumejima

Kumejima Island has diving spots that can be enjoyed by everyone, from beginner divers to advanced divers.

I spent two days diving, and I've picked out five diving spots that I particularly recommend.

Most of these spots are suitable for beginner divers, so even those with little diving experience can easily visit them.

*The boat travel time is from Tomari Port near Eef Beach to the point.

1-1 Manta Station

Boat travel time: Approximately 10 minutes
Maximum water depth: 15m
Level: Beginner divers and up
Point description: "Manta Station" is a spot where you have a high chance of encountering manta rays all year round.

Black manta rays, which are rare in Japan, can sometimes be seen here.

One of the defining features of Kumejima's manta ray point is its high water clarity, making it easy to spot and find manta rays.
Please follow the guide's instructions and warnings carefully to avoid stressing the manta rays while diving!

It's difficult to enter when there are strong southerly winds, and the chances of encountering manta rays are slightly lower during the mating season in April and May, and during spring tides.

1-2. Imazuni

Boat travel time: Approximately 5 minutes
Maximum water depth: 28m
Level: Beginner divers and up
Point description: Imazuni is a popular diving spot where you can target large marine life due to its good tidal flow.

Giant trevally stay here year-round.

They form large schools, especially from August to October, and from around August, schools of slender barracuda and bigeye barracuda appear, making it possible to catch a glimpse of both trevally and barracuda together.

The terrain is also one of its attractions, with its varied topography including two hidden roots, a drop-off, a hole, and a crevasse.
Once you experience its charm, you're sure to become addicted!

1-3. Stew Pot

Boat travel time: Approximately 10 minutes
Maximum water depth: 30m
Level: Beginner divers and up
Point description: This point, "Stew Gama," is named after the fact that the stew fish (a type of fish belonging to the family Isodonidae) used to live in toads (holes).

The first vertical shaft is located at a depth of about 20 meters, and if you look up, you can see the beautiful silhouettes of fish and divers reflected in an oval-shaped frame.

If you move to the shallower areas, you'll find fish like the spotted frogfish, blenny, clownfish, and snapper waiting for you.

1-4. Umagai

Boat travel time: Approximately 10 minutes
Maximum water depth: 35m
Level: Beginner divers and up
Point description: Umagai is the point on the island where you can see the widest variety of fish.

The view from the spectacular drop-off, which plunges to a depth of over 40 meters, is breathtaking.

The area boasts a rich array of fish, including colorful and beautiful schools of fish such as the goldfish anthias, damselfish, and butterflyfish, and if you go a little deeper, you'll find species like the violet anthias and the bordered anthias.

Because the water is so clear, you don't feel the depth at all, even when you go to depths of 30 meters or more.

Another advantage for beginner divers is that there isn't much current.

1-5. Tonbara

Boat travel time: Approximately 20 minutes
Maximum water depth: 30m
Level: Intermediate divers and up
Point description: "Tonbara" is a dive site around a large rock (Tonbara Rock) that stands 2 km southeast of the island. From the moment you enter the water, you get the feeling that something might appear.

Because the water flows well, you may be able to dive while being carried by the current. However, the currents are complex and changeable, so it is recommended for intermediate to advanced divers.

Throughout the year, you can target large fish such as dogtooth tuna and giant trevally, and from April to July, you can see whale sharks. From December to March, when the water temperature drops below 24℃, you can see hammerhead sharks, and occasionally humpback whales.

"Tonbara" is, without a doubt, Kumejima's number one diving spot.

1-6. Bonus Information

Here, we introduce some of the cute creatures you can find in the waters around Kumejima Island!

[Left: Skeleton Panda Sea Squirt Right: Ultraman Sea Squirt]
From around November, when the water temperature starts to drop, until around April, you can see the skull panda sea squirt and the Ultraman sea squirt in various locations, which are quietly gaining popularity among divers.

Apparently, they're all tiny baby sea squirts. They're sure to make for great photos!

You can see five different species of clownfish, including the common clownfish and the tortoise clownfish.

Also, sea turtles, which could be called the idols of the ocean, can be found everywhere, so the chances of encountering them are quite high.

At the "Turtle Paradise" spot on the west side of the island, you can sometimes see more than 30 turtles.

2. Kumejima Diving Schedule

Below, I've summarized the actual diving schedule, basic diving techniques, and important points to keep in mind.

Generally, we do 2-3 dives per day. We meet at the diving service around 8:30 AM and head to the harbor, which is about a 5-minute drive away. (*Hotels in the Eef Beach area offer pick-up and drop-off service.)

For two dives, we return to the shop around 14:30 PM, wash the equipment, and then disperse.
For two dives, we return to the shop around 12:30 PM, wash the equipment, and then disperse.

The main diving spots are close to the harbor, only 5 to 20 minutes away, and we return to the harbor for a break after each dive, so even those worried about seasickness can relax.

It's great that there's a rest area with a shop at the port!
Snacks and drinks are available for purchase, so if you're prone to feeling a little hungry, be sure to have some change ready.

-Ship Specifications-
① Small boat (no toilet): Please place your luggage in the overhead net.
② Large ships (with toilets and cabins): Leave your luggage in the cabin.
⇒None of them have showers, but you'll receive a bottle of hot water each time you dive. (Just enough to lightly rinse your head and face.)

*If you have diving the following day, leave your equipment in the mesh bag on the boat. Store any items that need drying, such as wetsuits, in the service's drying area.

Basically, it's boat diving with anchoring.
*While free descent is preferable, anchoring is the main method, so descent via rope is also possible.

If you have any concerns, such as difficulty equalizing ear pressure, be sure to inform your guide in advance.

3. Kumejima Diving Season

Diving is possible year-round in Kumejima, but be sure to prepare and use the appropriate equipment for the water temperature of the season for a comfortable dive.

There are many diving spots around the island, and we select the best spot for the day depending on the wind direction.
During the winter months when northerly winds are strong, we tend to dive at points on the south (west) side, and during the summer months when southerly winds blow, we often dive at points on the north (east) side.

There are various interpretations of what constitutes the "best season" for divers, but based on what I've heard from many people, here are my personal five points.

① The season for diving in a 3-5mm wetsuit is from April to November.
② From April to November, you can witness impressive underwater scenes, including schools of trevally, barracuda, dogtooth tuna, and giant trevally.
③ For advanced divers looking to see hammerhead sharks, the best time is around December to March.
④ Aside from the Manta Station, the chances of encountering manta rays increase from November to March.
⑤ The chances of encountering whale sharks increase from May to August.

Check the list of creatures you want to see beforehand, and then try to go during their season.

4. Recommended diving shops in Kumejima

The diving shop "Eef Sports Club," which assisted us with this interview, is located on the grounds of the Eef Beach Hotel.

Using this in conjunction with accommodation eliminates the need for travel and is convenient for meeting up or after diving.

With an impressive 27 years of experience as a guide on Kumejima Island, manager Mr. Kume, who knows the sea inside and out, has assembled a powerful team of guides.

Rental equipment is well-maintained, and there are facilities for washing and drying equipment, as well as hot showers. Boat coats are also available for free rental.

The clubhouse also features a large public bath using deep-sea water, which is free for guests staying at the Eef Beach Hotel.

Eef Sports Club
Address: 548 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa 901-3107, Japan (Inside Kumejima Eef Beach Hotel)
Telephone number: 098-985-8733
Official HP:http://www.aqua-navi.com/

5. After-dive activities in Kumejima

After enjoying some diving, why not relax and enjoy some Kumejima time?

Relax on a beautiful white sand beach, enjoy delicious Okinawan food and drinks...

【stay】
The Eef Beach Hotel overlooks Eef Beach, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Beaches.

The ocean-view rooms offer an amazing sense of openness! The hotel also features a large public bath using deep-sea water, which is rich in minerals and has skin-beautifying effects.

Perfect for relaxing after diving.

Eef Beach Hotel
Address: 548 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa 901-3107
Telephone number: 098-985-7111
Official HP:https://www.courthotels.co.jp/kumejima/

【eat】
Located on a back street about a 5-minute walk from the Eef Beach Hotel, "Kameyoshi," a seafood restaurant, is bustling with both locals and tourists.

The menu is extensive, featuring local dishes, set meals, rice bowls, Chinese food, and more. It's recommended for both those who want a quick bite and those who want a hearty meal.

Also, in Kumejima, where many shops are only open during the day or night, this place is open from lunch to dinner, which is very helpful.

Seafood Restaurant Kameyoshi
Address: 160-39 Higa, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Opening hours: 11: 30 to 23: 00
Closed: Tuesday
TEL：098-985-8703

Located on the first floor of the Eef Beach Hotel, "Restaurant SABANY" offers a panoramic view of Eef Beach from its glass-walled interior.

In fact, Kumejima boasts the highest production volume of kuruma prawns in Japan.

Since I was there, I decided to try the seafood pasta topped with plenty of prawns. It was more filling and delicious than it looked! I recommend going for lunch♪

For groups, a nighttime BBQ is highly recommended; you can even have a BBQ party under the starry sky.

Restaurant SABANY
Address: 548 Janado, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa 901-3107, Japan (Inside Kumejima Eef Beach Hotel)
営業時間：モーニング07：00～09：30・ランチ11：30～14：30・ディナー18：00～21：00
Regular holiday: No holidays

6. Conclusion

The main purpose of this dive was to explore the new dive site, "Manta Station," but I realized that this is not the only attraction of diving in Kumejima.