ce4jesus 1 Posted February 3, 2009 I've got an up coming business trip that will require me to hit both of these countries. I was just wondering if anyone has any recommended dive ops in the area of the Naval Bases. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davephdv 0 Posted February 4, 2009 Back in the 80s there was a lot of good beach diving on Okinawa. The town right in front of the Naval Hospital was an excellent place to dive. You go right off the seawall. You will need coral booties as you have to walk quite through the shallows. In the winter there can be rough surf at times and you may need a 5 mm wetsuit. The naval port at White beach is on the wrong side of the island for diving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted February 4, 2009 I'll be doing some work at the Naval Hospital...what luck. Do remember what the water temps were like around the beginning of April...which I think is the beginning of winter down there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ornate_wrasse 0 Posted February 4, 2009 I was just wondering if anyone has any recommended dive ops in the area of the Naval Bases. I took a trip to Okinawa a few years ago as a side trip after visiting my nephew in Tokyo. I went diving both off the Sunabe seawall and at the Keramas Islands. I was very disappointed with the diving at the seawall. It seemed devoid of life, although I guess I can't complain too much because that's where I saw my first sea snake. I was given an opportunity to head out to the Kerama Islands and jumped on it. The islands are absolutely beautiful. Again, I didn't feel there was too much to see in the water compared to other places I've been but the islands themselves and the scenery around them are stunning. Of historical note, the Kerama Islands are where the Marines first landed at Okinawa in World War II. The Keramas Islands are about 20 miles west of Naha. I can't remember the name of the dive op offhand (I think the word "Blue" was in their name) but I'll check my records and get back to you. If it were me, I would not miss a chance to dive the Kerama Islands. Ellen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davephdv 0 Posted February 5, 2009 Would be disappointed to hear the seawall was devoid of life. When I was there there were some very good areas. I remember my third dive on the island there. It was a night dive and we splashed right into spawning sea snakes. Must have seen a thousand of them. Winding around your legs and arms. Some people left the water and never went back. Can't remember the temperatures for sure. For about one month you needed a 5 mm suit. Probably a 3 mm would be okay in April. obtw it was back in the 80s a great place to have a custom wetsuit made. If it is still there Ed's pro dive (not sure of the name) is just around the corner from the Naval Hospital. Kerama's are great. Back in my day there were not regularly schedule trips there. Further from the bases are Bolo point. Great soft corals. Hedo point at the northern most point was the best. All information from the mid 80s. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timrock 1 Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) On Guam, GabGab Beach is a very nice walk-in dive. The Naval Station has 2 or 3 branches of MDA (Micronesia Divers Association) on the main base. They offer very reasonable boat dives, great equipment deals and instruction. I wrote the Diver's Guide to Guam a while back for Lonely Planet and have a gallery and gift shop close to the Naval Station at Fish Eye Marine Park. Give me a call when you come in and I'll show you the good beach dives and recommend which boat dives to join. Best, Tim of the Deep 477-3343 PS - Guam isn't a country, its the USA!!! Edited February 8, 2009 by timrock Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
