Amami-Ōshima vs Ogasawara (Bonin Islands) — Dive Destination Comparison
Amami-Ōshima (Japan) scores 70.7/100 vs Ogasawara (Bonin Islands)'s 69.0/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Amami-Ōshima for reef diving with 15–35m visibility. Choose Ogasawara (Bonin Islands) for pelagic diving at ~$140/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Amami-Ōshima | Ogasawara (Bonin Islands) |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 70.7/100 | 69.0/100 |
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Visibility | 15--35m | 25--50m |
| Water temp | 20--29 C | 20--28 C |
| Max depth | 35m | 50m |
| Current | mild | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $100 | $140 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | May, June, July | May, June, July |
| Dive types | reef, macro, cave, drift | pelagic, wall, drift, reef |
| Min certification | Open Water | Advanced Open Water |
| Key species | humpback whale, green turtle, sea snake | bottlenose dolphin, hammerhead shark, sand tiger shark |
| Google rating | 4.6 (180 reviews) | 4.8 (150 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Amami-Ōshima when...
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Macro photographers hunting critters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Choose Ogasawara (Bonin Islands) when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking bottlenose dolphin encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Amami-Ōshima wins on overall score (70.7 vs 69.0), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Amami-Ōshima is more affordable ($100 vs $140/dive). Ogasawara (Bonin Islands) has better peak visibility (50m vs 35m).