The deep is calm, the heart is free; let the body float, let the ears quietly listen to breathing, let the eyes gaze closely at the fish; that is the sea.
I am not a very good swimmer. I’ve tried snorkeling a few times, where the clear seawater allowed me to see the underwater world without any barrier—colorful corals and fish swimming all around me. I’ve always wanted to explore this vibrant marine world up close.
This time in Okinawa, I went diving. The dive shop is called “Okinawa Dive,” opened a few years ago by my Hong Kong friend Kai, whom I met in Australia, and his partner Tony. The instructors have rich diving experience and teach in Cantonese and Mandarin, which made me feel more confident learning to dive in a familiar language.
The instructors choose the most ideal dive sites based on weather conditions. My first dive was at Sunabe Seawall in Miyagi Coast. The colorful coral reefs there are denser than those of the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s also the most recommended dive site in Okinawa by the instructors.
Having had a few snorkeling experiences, I thought diving shouldn’t be too hard to pick up. The instructor taught me how to use the air tank on the shore, but I didn’t expect even the most basic breathing to challenge me. Just the breathing and equalization exercises took me nearly half an hour. Before even getting in the water, my confidence was already cut in half.
After gearing up with the air tank and checking the equipment, we headed to the sea. We took photos before entering the water—there’s a certain kind of smile called pretending to stay calm.
The waves at Sunabe were quite strong that day. It was tough carrying the air tank and walking into the water with fins in hand. When the water covered my head, it was super scary. After a few seconds, I couldn’t help but surface. I repeated this a few times. The instructor said the hardest part of diving is breaking through the surface, especially when the waves and currents keep pushing you. After a while, I finally overcame that hurdle. My body slowly descended, and to some extent, I felt there was no turning back by then—it was safer to follow the instructor.
The instructors that day were Tony and his Japanese wife Ayako. To be honest, even though it was a two-on-one session, I was still too nervous. I kept holding onto them, signaling that I wanted to surface, making them feel like they were taking care of a child. Ayako wanted to take photos of me underwater, but I ignored the camera and just focused on my breathing rhythm…
The land is vast, and people can walk across the world with their own two legs. But in the ocean world, humans are the smallest. We become visitors, venturing into that endless space, using the time of one tank of air to listen, to see, to think.
Frankly, I didn’t enjoy my first dive much. Fear made my mind a mess. I stayed underwater for half an hour, spending half the time focusing on my breathing and the rest thinking.
Diving isn’t scary—most people fall in love with it after just one try. But it was only after that dive that I realized I’m actually afraid of dying. I can take on skydiving or white-water rafting, but in the deep underwater, I just want to stay alive. I want to surface. I want to see the people I care about again. I want to achieve my dreams.
Taking the first step isn’t easy. On several trips to Okinawa, Australia, and Guam, I missed diving because I wasn’t “ready.” Diving is like an unknown journey—leaving your comfort zone to go somewhere unfamiliar. Each experience is different, but once you get used to it, diving isn’t as difficult as it seems.
Maybe diving is a simple thing for many people, and they might think I’m overreacting. But the feelings above really come from someone who couldn’t swim and still went diving. The instructor told me, it’s not that I can’t dive, but my inner fear is what held me back.
Some things can’t be truly felt until you experience them. This dive helped me regain the courage I had seven years ago when I first set out, and it made me more certain about the path ahead.
Additional Information:
“Okinawa Dive” now has two branches in Okinawa. The main shop is on the main island of Okinawa, focusing on Sunabe and specialty dive spots. The second branch is on Ishigaki Island, also staffed by Hong Kong instructors—reportedly taught by a cute young woman. In addition to introductory dives, “Okinawa Dive” offers snorkeling, diving courses, small-group dives, and instruction in Cantonese and Mandarin. The fees include underwater photography.
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Okinawa Diving(Okinawa Shop)
Phone/Whatsapp: +81-70-2645-6542
Fees: Introductory Dive
Website: http://www.okidives.com/zh_HK
Notes: Specializes in diving at sandbar and Okinawa specialty dive sites
Okinawa Diving (Ishigaki Shop)
Phone/Whatsapp: +81-70-2641-0617
Price: Discovery dive
Website: http://www.okidives.com/isg
Notes: Specializes in diving at Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island, and Manta Point
Another shop specializing in Blue Cave diving is "Okinawa Blue Dive," which opened this year.
Okinawa Blue DiveBest Dive
Address: 94 Chūnoura, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture
Phone: +81-70-3960-7198
Pricing: Try Scuba Diving
Website: http://www.bestdiveokinawa.com
Notes: Specializes in diving at Blue Cave
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