Oki Islands · Japan · Wall
Hoshi-no-kami-shima
Uninhabited islet whose walls plunge into dark water
Hoshi-no-kami-shima is a small uninhabited island off Nishinoshima whose walls drop into dark water. The dive reaches about 25 m, and a current that can run fairly strong makes it a site for advanced divers. The walls carry blennies, sponges, seaweed and many tiny critters.
Also known as Hoshinokamijima.
Where it is and how deep
36.1537° N, 133.0731° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive follows the walls of the island, which plummet past the 25 m limit of the dive into the dark depths below. The rock is thick with blennies, seaweed and sponges, and a slow look along the wall turns up many tiny critters.
Marine life and season
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Good | Fair |
Season follows Oki Islands: Summer brings calm straits and the clearest water; typhoons peak in September and October, and winter waves cancel ferries.
Know before you go
- The current around the island can sometimes run fairly strong.
Questions divers ask
Is Hoshi-no-kami-shima suitable for newer divers?+
It suits advanced divers best. The walls reach about 25 m and the current around the island can sometimes run fairly strong.
Sources
- Dive into the Other Oki Islands — Outdoor Japan
- OpenStreetMap — OpenStreetMap
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