Sea Max Diving Club

Kerama Islands, Japan

The team at Sea Max Diving Club are just what you want in the Keramas: seasoned, calm, and they know the local waters like their own backyard. We’ve always found their guides to be particularly good at spotting the small stuff, those nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses that blend so perfectly into the coral. They operate with a quiet efficiency, getting you geared up and onto the boat without fuss, which we appreciate when you're itching to get in the water. They’re a PADI 5 Star outfit, so all the usual courses are on offer, but we’d suggest them particularly for divers who want to squeeze as much as possible out of their Kerama trip. Their boats are well-maintained, and they seem to have a knack for getting to the best spots before the crowds, or at least timing dives to avoid the rush. On a good day, off Tokashiki, we’ve been surrounded by schools of fusiliers so thick they momentarily block the sun, and Sea Max always seems to find those moments. If you’re serious about diving the Keramas and want an experienced, no-nonsense crew to get you there, these are your people. Expect a focus on good diving, good safety, and solid local knowledge.