Reef Encounters is the only full service diving center in Okinawa offering instruction in both English and Japanese. They have been in business for over 12 years.

Unlike other dive shops they have their own boat which means they are able to make daily diving trips to the Kerama islands and other locations.

Click the image above for their website or use the buttons below for more information

December 2010 - Tis the season – to go diving!

Wait before putting your wetsuit away, now is a great time to go diving!

As the weather cools and the north winds start to blow many divers on Okinawa start to pack up their dive gear and put things away until the warm southern winds of spring grace our shores again. But wait putting your gear up for the winter will cause you to miss some of the best diving Okinawa and the southern islands of Japan have to offer.

As the weather cools in Okinawa the sea surrounding the island comes even more alive. Winter is the start of the humpback whale season in Okinawa and the Keramas. Starting in late December humpback whales will converge on the crystal clear waters surrounding Okinawa to mate, give birth and frolic in the waves. These amazing creatures can be seen on numerous whale watching tours or while diving the Keramas or contact Reef Encounters for the only snorkeling and kayaking with whale tours on Okinawa.

Whales are not the only groups to converge on Okinawa - starting in January in Yonaguni its "Hammertime" as massive schools of hammerhead sharks converge on this western most point of Japan. Diving with schools numbering up into the hundreds of 12 to 15 foot sharks is an experience of a lifetime and Japan is one of the few places in the world where it can be done.

As the tourist scene wains in Okinawa shore dive sites become less crowed and more accessible. As the divers leave the critters float back in. During the winter the number and variety of macro animals for photo bugs to capture that perfect shot of are located close to shore and waiting to pose for you. Also larger pelagic creatures including mantas, whale sharks and even killer whales appear in the waters in the Keramas and other small islands in Okinawa. So as the weather cools, get that gear serviced, dig out that 5 mm wetsuit with hood and go Get Wet!

February 2011 - Why Dive In Okinawa?

If you're new to Okinawa here's a quick rundown of why learning to dive or improving your skills here is an opportunity not to be missed.

Okinawa attracts divers from all over the world because it truly is a diver's dream come true. With water temperatures ranging from 20C to 30C (70F to 86F), you can wear a wetsuit year round! However, what draws divers to Okinawa is not the water temperature, but the variety of diving. There is something for everyone. For the coral lover, the Kerama Islands offer world class reefs. Reef sharks and sea turtles can be guaranteed, with manta rays and whale sharks regularly seen. Speaking of whales, winter is whale watching season! For something a little closer in to shore, areas such as Sunabe offer amazing soft coral beds just off shore, while sites a little further north have dynamic wall dives to offer. History buffs also love Okinawa diving—from the USS Emmons, to artifact hunting at sites off the beaten path, history is everywhere. For even more history, a short plane ride can take you down to Yonaguni, where underwater ruins can be found. Yonaguni is also famous for its hammerhead shark schools which come in for the winter. These are only part of the list which makes Okinawa a favorite dive destination.

If you're thinking about getting out into the water as the temperatures hopefully start to heat up in the next few months then Reef Encounters makes a great choice. They're the ONLY English speaking NAUI Instructor training facility in Japan which means you are in very safe and experienced hands.

If you're interested in a Yonaguni trip then they have one coming up at the end of February on the 25th with trips lasting from 3-7 days. Contact them soon for reservations as the trips fill up quickly.

They've also now got mooring lines secured off a new wreck in the port of Naha. If you ever wanted to dive a large wreck site then this is your chance!

April 2011 - Spring Diving

Spring is just around the corner and the dive season is about to really get rolling.

Time to dig those regulators and BCs out of the closet and get them serviced. Reef Encounters has a full service department to check all your gear and overhaul it if needed. Also check your mask and fin straps to make sure they are not dried out or cracked and replace if needed. Tanks may be needing an annual visual inspection or hydro if needed. They also offer one day turn around on visual inspections and the fastest hydro service on island.

After checking your gear it's time to ensure that your dive skills are up to par with a few easy dives off the beach or take advantage of the free refresher offered with all boat dives during the month of April and May on Reef Encounters dives to the Keramas and surrounding dive sites. For those experienced divers who are looking to make a few extra dollars this summer teaching diving or divemastering now is the time to get those final classes in and schedule your instructor training course. Reef Encounters will be offering both Divemaster and Instructor courses in April, May and June. Instructor courses are open to all agency divemasters and have very flexible schedules so your busy work or military schedule will not conflict with your training. Come make some extra money this summer teaching others to do what you love to do.

Reef Encounters will also be offering up adventure dives starting in the end of April for those experienced divers looking for something different. We will be exploring the sea mounts south of the Keramas hunting for large pelagics and drifting the channels of the Keramas looking for sharks. We will also be looking for members for the Okinawa wreck divers team which will be working on locating and mapping the wrecks of the USS Longshaw, LST 447, the Midori Maru and other wrecks around Okinawa. Many of these dives will require advanced and technical certifications, classes are being offered now to qualify you to join these expedtions.

June 2011 - Warm waters..

The water's warm and the dive season's underway! Come on in!

The dive season is now in full swing. The ocean is warm and the divers are dusting off their gear and getting wet again. The professional staff at Reef Encounters would like to remind you of a few things before you jump back in! If your diving gear has not been used or serviced for a while, come by and have one of the pro's at Reef Encounters ensure that your regulators and BC are ready for the summer season. Even more important than having your gear ready is to ensure that you are ready. Start out your dive season with a few easy dives to get back in the swing of things or better yet visit your local dive shop for a quick refresher course to make sure your skills are sharp.

As the dive season kicks off, the team at Reef Encounters has some great local trips planned for you. Adding to our menu of daily trips to the Keramas for swimming with manta rays, turtles and sharkes, we are adding two new wrecks to the menu for advanced and technical divers. We will also be adding weekly night boat dives to our regular scheduled trips. Exploring the war relics off the coast of Yomitan is a regular dive also – these sites will allow you to possibly collect your own WW II relic coke bottle.

Additionally, this spring for those interested in going deeper and staying longer our tech program will be going full swing this June. Everything from Intro to Tech to Trimix Level II getting you ready to explore the deeper reaches of the reefs and wrecks here on Okinawa.