Okinawa Sealife
The weather is warming up and the dive season in Okinawa is about to get into full swing. It’s time to clean the dust off that dive gear and get back in the water. For those of us that have been braving the chilly winter waters of Okinawa it’s time to put those hoods and thick wetsuits away and dig those shorties and rash guards out of the dive locker. As the water warms up the crowds will be flocking back to the most popular spots on Okinawa. Remember that if you have taken a few months off from diving, to take it slow, or better yet contact one of the pros at Reef Encounters to schedule a refresher course to make sure you can plan those dives correctly and still recall all those emergency procedures. For those divers switching to summer weight wetsuits remember to adjust those weights belts accordingly.
As divers come on back to the usual haunts of Maeda Misaki and Sunabe Seawall make 2014 your year to explore. Okinawa has hundreds of dive sites both on the East and West coast and many more as you take boat dives out to the surrounding islands. Your exploration of the underwater world of Okinawa should includes such sites as Rukan Atoll, Yonguni, Aka-jima, Kume, Tokashiki, Ie, Ikei and the many other spots that divers do not visit on a regular basis. Join the Reef Encounters Dive Team on Facebook to keep up to date on scheduled trips or contact us to schedule a private tour of any of the surrounding islands or dive spots.
Also if your gear has been sitting in storage for a few months make sure you check things over before jumping in. Check fin and mask straps for wear and change if necessary, blow up your BC and ensure it holds air, ensure power inflators operate smoothly without sticking, check hoses on regulators for cracking or dry rot, make sure you check under those hose protectors, inspect mouthpieces for tears and pinholes and make sure regulators are not free flowing and that they are breathing smoothly. If you have any doubts about your gear bring it in to get professionally inspected.
As the water warms up it’s also a great time to get certified to dive if you have not already, sign up now to avoid the summer rush. Classes start daily at Reef Encounters- contact us now to start your class today!
