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Hateruma Island

Hateruma Island, located south of Iriomote Island in Japan, offers excellent diving opportunities. Accessible by ferry from both Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, this idyllic destination boasts crystal clear waters with impressive visibility that often exceeds 50 meters. Divers can immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the pure white sandy seabed and vibrant blue sea.

Hateruma Island is exclusive to boat dives, and no buses or traffic signals can be found on the island. On the northwest shore, divers can explore numerous sandy points, while the east shore features drop-off points teeming with large migratory fish. The rich marine life includes densely populated schools of small fish surrounding the coral formations, providing a captivating underwater spectacle. Additionally, divers may encounter fascinating species such as kelpfish, flying fish, and enchanting seahorses. The waters around Hateruma Island are also frequented by remarkable migratory fish like the majestic bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna, as well as striking sharks including white and red hammerhead sharks, and elegant stingrays such as eagle rays, cod rays, and stingrays.

With a maximum depth of 17 meters, Hateruma Island's diving sites are recommended for advanced divers who can fully appreciate the diverse underwater landscape and marine biodiversity. Located in Naishi, Taketomi, Yaeyama, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, this dive site guarantees an unforgettable and immersive underwater experience.

Diving Conditions Score for Hateruma Island

6.9
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Hateruma Island

Depth

17m

Visibility

37m

Experience Level

advanced

Weather Conditions for Hateruma Island

Wave Height

1.78m

Wind Speed

31.2 m/s

Water Temp

28.7°C

Visibility

16.54km

Cloud Cover

87%

Wave Period

5.85s

Air Temperature

28.6°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Hateruma Island
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Hateruma Island

Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 6.060433333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.76m, Wind 29.4 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 5.8350333333333335/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Hateruma Island: 06:00
Sunset at Hateruma Island: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Hateruma Island are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
15:00

Score: 6.1/10
Waves: 1.76m (5.85s), Wind: 29.4 m/s

🌞
Safest Overall
9:00

Score: 6.0/10
Waves: 1.7m (5.85s), Wind: 29.5 m/s

🌙
Best Night
0:00

Score: 5.8/10
Waves: 1.76m, Wind: 29.5 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Hateruma Island
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Hateruma Island

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Hateruma Island

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.5/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Hateruma Island

January
Score: 8.5
November
Score: 8.5
December
Score: 8.5

Ideal Conditions for Hateruma Island

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

25.7°C / 78.3°F

September

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

11.7m / 38.4ft

July

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

3.0m / 9.8ft

March

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Hateruma Island

Hateruma Island shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (29.2°C) and January the coldest (17.1°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in March with average wave heights of 3.0m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in March with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). July is usually the driest month with 0.3mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during March to May, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 16, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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