Yamamoto Special, is a beginner-friendly site 10–12 minutes by boat. With a max depth of 14m, it’s wind-resistant and diveable year-round. Divers can see five species of bear clams, youkata grouper cleaning scenes, abundant macro life, and fish-filled sandy roots—ideal for relaxed diving and photography.

Villa Beach in northern Amami-Oshima is a beach-entry site for beginners to intermediates, with depths to 15m and easy access from the shop. Shallows boast table corals and frequent sea turtle sightings. After the June full moon, coral spawning offers a magical natural spectacle.

Amami Oshima is located almost halfway between Kagoshima and the main island of Okinawa, and is the second largest island in Japan. There are many flights and good access from the metropolitan area. It takes about 15 minutes by boat to see the huge common coral (20m in diameter and 7m high). It was named Daibutsu Coral because the huge coral looks like the head of a giant Buddha. The water is about 16m deep and the sandy white sandy soil is spreading and there are many colorful flounder and butterflyfish around. Points that can be enjoyed by beginners at ease.

Tebiro Beach on Amami Oshima Island is a beginner-friendly beach dive spot, best in winter when northerly winds calm. With a max depth of 10m and gentle tides, it’s ideal for relaxed diving and macro photography. Expect frequent sightings of nudibranchs, gobies, spiny dogtooth eels, and sea turtles.

Amami City Kasari B\&G Ocean Center in Kagoshima offers a year-round heated indoor pool in Taiyo-no-oka Sports Park. With a 25m competition pool and toddler pool, it’s popular for locals and youth teams. Just 5 minutes from Amami Airport, it’s ideal for families and beginners.

Nase Undo Koen Indoor Pool in Amami City is a heated public pool (120–130cm deep) used for lessons, training, and events, including Amami’s first freediving competition in 2023. Open 9:00–21:00, closed Thursdays and Dec 31–Jan 1. Fees: Adults ¥320, HS ¥160, kids ¥110.

This is a beach entry divesite. Initially, it is quite shallow, but after a short distance, the depth increases to 6 to 8 meters, which makes it an excellent location for training. The light filtering through the opening creates an astonishing atmosphere that defies the typical expectations of a beach entry point. A turtle sighting is practically guaranteed at this dive site; you could confidently claim a 120% encounter rate!

These small islands are scattered between Yakushima and Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, about 160 kilometers away, and are only accessible by two village run ferries a week from Kagoshima. It’s a 5-minute boat ride close to the point and 20 minutes farther.

Yoron Island is the westernmost point of the Amami archipelago and can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kagoshima and about 35 minutes from the Naha Airport. Because there are no rivers on the island, the clarity of the sea is very good at 25 to 30 meters.

Reachable in 30 minutes by plane from Kagoshima, Yakushima is an island with a circumference of about 130 km and an area of 500 km². In the center of the island is a prehistoric forest, and the Jomon cedars are all too famous.