Yonaguni is a tiny Japanese island (28 sq. km.) with a population of less than 2000, located in the middle of the open seas, 125 km from Taiwan and 127 km from Ishigaki the nearest Japanese Island. Despite its tiny size and being located in one of the remotest parts of Japan, the waters off Yonaguni contain some of the most stunning dive sites in the world.
The main attraction for all divers that visit Yonaguni is the underwater ancient ruins that lie at varying depths of 5-40 meters just off the southeastern edge of the island, forming one of the earth’s greatest mysteries. Known as the Yonaguni Monument, these ancient underwater rock formations are made up of a series of extraordinary rock formations including huge platforms, seemingly carved steps and huge stone pillars that were likely to be an ancient temple predating all buildings known to man. The origins of these massive rock formations is unknown, but with clean geometric lines and rock cut at 90 degree angles the debates that claim these structures are an outcome of natural erosion seem far fetched.
Still this site has been drawing geologists, archeologist and fascinated divers since 1987 when the site was originally discovered. Speculation of how these formations were created and how they ended up underwater seem to be the primary pull for most visitors to Yonaguni.
Diving the ruins in Yonaguni and the adjacent 70 odd dive sites is no easy task. Firstly getting to the island isn’t easy owing to its remoteness with only a few flights getting in and frequent poor weather cancellations may you quite a bit. The Island’s location in the middle of the open sea with no protective reefs means that the waves and currents are very strong and waters rough. Most diving that takes place here are drift dives and most of the sites only for the very experienced divers as currents can be overwhelming, with no anchor lines for ascents and safety stops where buoyancy control plays an important aspect of your dive. Incorrect or slow descents and ascents may mean missing your mark completely as the currents can sweep you away from the target, and the bottom is over 350 feet deep with steep cliff drop offs. If you are an inexperienced diver this is not the place for you.
In addition to the ruins, Yonaguni is also famous among divers for its abundance of hammerhead sharks, (often in groups of 100 or more) which congregate around the island and can be spotted on most dives in areas of strong current mostly during the winter months. The Island is also the only spot in Japan where it is possible to spot the giant whale shark, although sightings are quite rare. Since most dive sites are located on steep cliff-like drop-offs, divers can spot the large pelagics, schools of Big eye Trevally, Barracuda, Dogtooth Tuna, Marlin, Sailfish, Turtles, large Cuttlefish down to the macro inhabitants such as Pygmy sea horses, fire dart gobies and nudibranchs.
Yonaguni is a must have experience for any hardcore diver, from witnessing the stunning and mysterious ancient underwater formations to spotting hammerhead sharks in their hundreds to over 70 challenging yet startling dive sites to explore.
