The Kuroshio is a 200km wide ocean current that flows close by Yakushima. The current’s distinguishing features are its high temperature, high salinity, water clarity and it’s speed. The winter temperature of the current is an average 19.2C and this makes the winters on Yakushima considerably milder than mainland Kagoshima.  The sea temperature in the summer can rise up to 28C.

The warm waters allow coral to flourish and the swift current brings a plethora of marine life including the sea turtles that nest on the island during the summer. There is certainly plenty to see under the water. Yakushima has also been confirmed in past nationwide ocean biodiversity surveys to be the place with the greatest variety of marine life in Japan.

Turtles, octopus, squid, sea snakes, a wide range of fish species and whole eco-systems of coral are what you should expect to observe while under the water.