Kerama Islands vs Amami-Ōshima — Dive Destination Comparison
Kerama Islands (Japan) scores 73.8/100 vs Amami-Ōshima's 70.7/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Kerama Islands for reef diving with 20–50m visibility. Choose Amami-Ōshima for reef diving at ~$100/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Kerama Islands | Amami-Ōshima |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 73.8/100 | 70.7/100 |
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Visibility | 20--50m | 15--35m |
| Water temp | 21--29 C | 20--29 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 35m |
| Current | mild | mild |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $110 | $100 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | April, May, June | May, June, July |
| Dive types | reef, wall, drift, macro | reef, macro, cave, drift |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | green turtle, manta ray, humpback whale | humpback whale, green turtle, sea snake |
| Google rating | 4.7 (410 reviews) | 4.6 (180 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Kerama Islands when...
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Macro photographers hunting critters
- + 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
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
Bottom line
Kerama Islands wins on overall score (73.8 vs 70.7), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Amami-Ōshima is more affordable ($100 vs $110/dive). Kerama Islands has better peak visibility (50m vs 35m).