Yakushima
Yakushima: A Diver's Paradise with Pristine Waters
Discover Yakushima, a captivating dive site located just 30 minutes away from Kagoshima by plane. Nestled in the heart of this island is a mesmerizing prehistoric forest showcasing the renowned Jomon cedars. Spanning approximately 130 km in circumference and covering an area of 500 km², Yakushima offers a truly immersive dive experience for enthusiasts.
Prepare to be amazed as you encounter an array of magnificent marine life, including impressive creatures like bluefin tuna, bigeye trevally, bluefin trevally, reef sharks, stingrays, and the occasional hammerheads. Moreover, the site boasts a rich variety of macro life, perfect for photographers seeking stunning underwater shots.
What sets Yakushima apart is its unique position along the Kuroshio Current, welcoming a mix of temperate and tropical fish species. Divers are treated to an abundant diversity of fish during their exploration. Thanks to the influence of the Kuroshio Current, the water temperature remains pleasantly warm, even during the winter months. Boat diving is the preferred method here, with dive sites reachable within a short 5-15 minute ride from the harbor.
Yakushima has gained popularity among divers, particularly those seeking captivating macrobiology. Formosan Goby, Ribbon Eel, Scallop Goby, Giant Sea Urchin, Leaf Scorpionfish, Odori Goby, and Ribbon Goby are just a few fascinating creatures you can encounter during your underwater expedition.
With a visibility of 24m and a maximum depth of 18m, Yakushima offers a thrilling diving experience suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. Situated in Japan, in the scenic Kumage County of Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima promises unforgettable diving adventures in a captivating natural setting.
(Note: The visibility, max depth, recommended diver level, country, and close location information are not part of the rewritten content.)
Discover Yakushima, a captivating dive site located just 30 minutes away from Kagoshima by plane. Nestled in the heart of this island is a mesmerizing prehistoric forest showcasing the renowned Jomon cedars. Spanning approximately 130 km in circumference and covering an area of 500 km², Yakushima offers a truly immersive dive experience for enthusiasts.
Prepare to be amazed as you encounter an array of magnificent marine life, including impressive creatures like bluefin tuna, bigeye trevally, bluefin trevally, reef sharks, stingrays, and the occasional hammerheads. Moreover, the site boasts a rich variety of macro life, perfect for photographers seeking stunning underwater shots.
What sets Yakushima apart is its unique position along the Kuroshio Current, welcoming a mix of temperate and tropical fish species. Divers are treated to an abundant diversity of fish during their exploration. Thanks to the influence of the Kuroshio Current, the water temperature remains pleasantly warm, even during the winter months. Boat diving is the preferred method here, with dive sites reachable within a short 5-15 minute ride from the harbor.
Yakushima has gained popularity among divers, particularly those seeking captivating macrobiology. Formosan Goby, Ribbon Eel, Scallop Goby, Giant Sea Urchin, Leaf Scorpionfish, Odori Goby, and Ribbon Goby are just a few fascinating creatures you can encounter during your underwater expedition.
With a visibility of 24m and a maximum depth of 18m, Yakushima offers a thrilling diving experience suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. Situated in Japan, in the scenic Kumage County of Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima promises unforgettable diving adventures in a captivating natural setting.
(Note: The visibility, max depth, recommended diver level, country, and close location information are not part of the rewritten content.)
Diving Conditions Score for Yakushima
7.8
GoodGood diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Yakushima
Depth
18m
Visibility
24m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for Yakushima
Wave Height
0.58m
Wind Speed
12.7 m/s
Water Temp
26.2°C
Visibility
7.74km
Cloud Cover
43%
Wave Period
6.95s
Air Temperature
24.8°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Yakushima
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Yakushima
Best time to dive: 10:00 with score 8.864045083932853/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.58m, Wind 5 m/s.Best night dive time: 5:00 with score 7.736400508905851/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Yakushima: 06:00
Sunset at Yakushima: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Yakushima 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
10:00Score: 8.9/10
Waves: 0.58m (6.95s), Wind: 5 m/s
Best Night
5:00Score: 7.7/10
Waves: 0.64m, Wind: 7 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for YakushimaAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Yakushima
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 Yakushima
Winter
Avg. Score: 8.8/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Yakushima
January
Score: 9.1
February
Score: 8.6
December
Score: 8.6
Ideal Conditions for Yakushima
Water Temp
27.3°C / 81.1°F
July
Visibility
13.4m / 44.0ft
January
Wave Height
1.0m / 3.3ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Yakushima
Yakushima shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with August being the warmest month (27.5°C) and February the coldest (6.9°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.0m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January 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). October is usually the driest month with 1.6mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, 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.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 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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