Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Information

Q1. Where is Aloha Divers Okinawa located?

We have a small shop located in Yomitan, however most of the time our instructors are out guiding diving activities.
For this reason, we kindly ask you to contact us before visiting the shop.

Q2. What languages do your instructors speak?

Our instructors speak English, Portuguese, Spanish and Japanese.
PADI course materials are also available in multiple languages to ensure the best learning experience.

Q3. Do you dive in small groups?

Yes. We always keep small groups to guarantee safety, comfort and personalized service, allowing you to fully enjoy your dive experience.

Requirements & Safety

Q4. Is there an age limit to dive?

There is no maximum age limit for diving.
Participants over 60 years old may be asked to provide a medical clearance, depending on their health condition and the type of diving activity.

Q5. Can children dive?

Children 8–9 years old can participate in the PADI Bubblemaker program (maximum depth of 2 meters), depending on sea conditions.
Children 10 years and older can participate in Discover Scuba Diving or start the PADI Open Water Diver course.
Children under 8 years old are welcome to join snorkeling activities.

A PADI instructor will always be with the child at all times.

Q6. Do I need to be a good swimmer?

Basic swimming ability is required.
For Discover Scuba Diving and snorkeling, a professional guide or instructor will always be with you to ensure safety.

Q7. I haven’t dived in a long time. Can I still dive?

Yes. If you haven’t dived in the last 12 months, we may recommend a refresher dive or skills review before your activity.

Q8. I have a health condition. Can I still dive?

If you have any medical condition and answer YES to any question on the medical questionnaire, you must provide a doctor’s written clearance before diving.

Q9. Do I need travel or dive insurance?

Yes. We strongly recommend all divers have valid travel and dive insurance.
We are not responsible for injuries or losses during activities.

We recommend:

DAN – Divers Alert Network International https://www.diversalertnetwork.org

Logistics & Equipment

Q10. What should I bring on the dive day?

We recommend bringing:

Certification card (for certified divers)
Swimsuit
Towel
Sunscreen
Snacks

We provide tea and water during activities.

Q11. Is diving equipment included?

Tanks, weights and guide are included.
Full equipment rental is optional and available for an additional fee.
Please inform us in advance if you need rental equipment and your sizes.

Q12. Do you offer hotel pickup?

Yes. We offer free pickup and drop-off for guests staying in Chatan and Kadena areas.

Pickup from other regions may be possible depending on availability and may incur an additional fee.

Weather & Conditions

Q13. Will rain cancel the activity?

No. Rain alone does not cancel diving activities.
Activities are only canceled in case of unsafe sea conditions, and we will inform you in advance if that happens.

Q14. What happens if I panic and cannot dive?

If you decide not to dive after the activity has started, unfortunately we cannot offer a refund, as staff, boat and logistics have already been arranged.

Q15. How long should I wait to fly after diving?

We recommend waiting at least 18 hours after your last dive before flying, following PADI and DAN safety guidelines.

Booking & Payments

Q16. How far in advance should I book?

During high season (May to November), we strongly recommend booking as early as possible, as we keep groups small and availability is limited.

Q17. What payment methods do you accept?

We accept:

Invoice (credit card – Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
(4% processing fee applies)
Wise transfer

Full payment is required to confirm your booking.

Q18. What is your cancellation policy?

Up to 7 days before: no cancellation fee
5 days before: 25% fee
3 days before: 50% fee
2 days or less: 100% fee

Hygiene & Equipment Care

Q19. How do you clean and maintain rental equipment?

We follow PADI and DAN recommended procedures.
All equipment is thoroughly washed, disinfected, rinsed with fresh water and fully dried before storage to ensure hygiene and safety.

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