Keramas boat dive

All the local dive operators offer dive trips to the Keramas. Military operators tend to charge 65-90$ pp depending on number of dives and size of boat. Japanese operators charge more (13-15000Y pp) and often include lunch and may involve a larger, more luxurious boat. For DOD/SOFA, Kadena Marina does trips every Sat and Sun throughout the summer; divers sign up and pay in advance at the office. Trips may also be arranged through Tsunami and private boat captains (usually ex-military men who have married local women and stayed in Okinawa). Both of these organizations do a good job with safety, and have attentive divemasters helping everyone out. The boats are pretty utilitarian, and the bathrooms leave something to be desired, but the captains are experienced and tuned into the needs of the diver. Trips tend to start early in the morning (7:30 or 8a) and return in the afternoon (2:30-4p). No alcohol is allowed. In summer, people dive in rash guards or shorties; on the boat a rain jacket comes in handy if you don't want to wear your wet suit on the way over. In winter, take pants and a fleece for the boat ride and wear the thickest wet suit you have.
Diving the Keramas is a really worthwhile experience, and one worth repeating. The coral is in much better shape than many offshore sites, the visibility is often amazing, and there is a much better chance of seeing turtles, sharks, and other large species. The views are lovely no matter where the boat ends up anchoring. The actual dive sites vary depending on the weather,

currents, and winds. On angry days, there are only a few safe spots, a bay at Zamami behind the main beach is one such site. On calmer days, the boat captain has some flexibility.
Our most recent trips were on the "C Falcon" with Captain Bruce and Kadena divemasters. The divemasters were helpful without being intrusive. The C Falcon is a fast and seaworthy vessel with lots of overhead shade. On one trip, we went to 3 rock bay (others called it goat and shark island), and then did a drift dive in the channel between larger islands. At the former, nurse and white tip sharks hide in the crevices and big groups of reef fish frolic. At the latter, there are beautiful red sea fans, a vast array of coral species, and clusters of large turquoise and purple fish. On another trip, we went to the southern coast of Tokashiki. The coastline here is dramatic and half the fun is getting there. The coral was a bit knocked around, but there were lots of fish, seasnakes, and large sea anemones with clownfish. Then we went again to 3 rock, but dove closer to land and again spotted the sharks, as well as an eel and a group of bat fish.