2000 Chapbook

Okinawa

Fathoms, Spring 1999, Marilyn Koukol (koukol@icscjp.co.jp), Okinawa, Japan. Vis: 30-100 ft. My favorite spot is the Kerama Islands and I use Rich at Fathoms Dive Shop. Rich has the only English-speaking shop on Okinawa; great for those with no contact with the military bases. The Keramas have fantastic hard coral, table top, lettuce leaf, staghorn. Strong currents kept El Niño bleaching to a minimum. Usually see cuttlefish, tuna, turtles, rays and sometimes a white-tipped shark. Eels, ribbon eels, angelfish, butterfly fish, wrasse and parrot fish. Clown triggers and Titan triggers, anemones and anemone fish (6) kinds. Invertebrates plentiful: nudibranchs, starfish, sponges. Some places have delightful sea fans (and usually strong currents!). Shore diving is possible, though most coral along Okinawa is bleached, dead, and covered with algae. Fish are plentiful and colorful and photo opportunities abound! Subtropical island. (Telephone +81 0908-766-0868; Fax: +81 098-956-6191)