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Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island, located in Japan, is often referred to as the "Galapagos of the East." With its vast virgin forests covering about 90% of the island, as well as its impressive mountain ranges, rivers, and waterfalls, Iriomote Island offers divers and nature enthusiasts a unique experience both above and below the water's surface. Not only is the island renowned for its exceptional diving opportunities, but it also captivates visitors with its remarkable land-based scenery.

Underwater, divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of fish species, including the magnificent manta rays for which Iriomote Island is particularly famous. The island's pelagic fish population, featuring dogtooth tuna, yellowfin reef sharks, and toothfish, adds to the allure for divers seeking unforgettable encounters beneath the waves. Moreover, the beauty of the coral reefs and the abundance of marine life contribute further to the island's appeal.

Diving centers on Iriomote Island are well-known for their unexplored coral gardens, rare fish sightings, and excellent macro photography opportunities. Manjushimodoki, Nishikiteguri, and reef fish are among the notable spots that attract divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced and expert divers. With a visibility of 19 meters and a maximum depth of 19 meters, the island provides ideal conditions for divers to explore its underwater wonders.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Iriomote Island, where nature's beauty both above and below the water will leave you awe-inspired. Don't miss this extraordinary destination that promises an unforgettable diving experience along the breathtaking coastline of Japan.

Diving Conditions Score for Iriomote Island

7.6
Good

Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Iriomote Island

Depth

19m

Visibility

19m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for Iriomote Island

Wave Height

0.72m

Wind Speed

12.8 m/s

Water Temp

28.9°C

Visibility

13.28km

Cloud Cover

30%

Wave Period

4.85s

Air Temperature

26.7°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Iriomote Island
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Iriomote Island

Best time to dive: 17:00 with score 7.611000000000001/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.74m, Wind 13.2 m/s.Best night dive time: 23:00 with score 7.1932190476190465/10.

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

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

Optimal diving conditions at Iriomote 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
17:00

Score: 7.6/10
Waves: 0.74m (4.7s), Wind: 13.2 m/s

🌙
Best Night
23:00

Score: 7.2/10
Waves: 0.7m, Wind: 12.1 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Iriomote Island
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Iriomote 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 Iriomote Island

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.3/10

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

Best Months for Iriomote Island

January
Score: 8.5
November
Score: 8.5
March
Score: 8.4

Ideal Conditions for Iriomote Island

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

27.6°C / 81.7°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

11.0m / 36.1ft

July

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.7m / 5.6ft

March

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.7°C) and January the coldest (15.2°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in March with average wave heights of 1.7m 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). March is usually the driest month with 1.1mm 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 20, 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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