The setting is Yonaguni Island
Apparently there is something called swordfish jerky in Yonaguni, Akatie.Following on from the underwater ruins, today we'll be looking at the Yonaguni hammerhead shark. First, let's start with the results.
I did six dives and was able to meet them on the last two.
Nice to meet you, Hammers!! There are even babies among them. But it's so deep!! All I can see is the swarm of hammers, all I can hear is the sound of my own rough breathing and the error sounds of everyone's radishes, and I think what's left in my body is nitrogen. Too many words! Too many!!
We also saw whale sharks (seen by other boats) and manta rays, and dolphins started singing nearby, creating a festive atmosphere in Yonaguni.
On the first day, I was filled with anticipation, but on the second day, the first two fish were gone. They didn't come out. I couldn't see them. There was endless blue water. There were only Japanese white-eyes and a single hammerhead. It was so deep I couldn't see anything.
My heart was about to be broken.
Yes, just a hammer.
The process of seeing hammerhead sharks
The shop is within a 3-minute drive from the port.It takes about 3 minutes by boat to the point.Since we return to the shop one by one, you don't have to worry about seasickness or the cold.When you reach the dive point, jump down in the following order: 1.2.3, XNUMX, XNUMX. It's not that jumping in quickly is better, because if you miss the timing, you risk falling on top of other divers.
At a point between 60-80m deep, guests stayed at a depth of 20-25m, overlooking the guide who was searching for hammerheads at 10-15m. When the bell rang, guests dashed off at the same depth. Once they reached the top of the school, they dove, and if they managed to get ahead of the school, that was even better.
After that, I play around with the hammer. When I drift, the distance can go up to 1km.
The above is the general procedure, but setting up and putting on equipment on a rocking boat, free descent and ascent, self-management of water depth and residual pressure, and no decompression are essential conditions. If you stay for two days, the chances of failing are low.
The one dive, a drift dive with no bottom visible, and a single dive in pursuit of only hammers, was very exciting. The guide, who lives in a world where winning and losing depend on hitting or missing the hammer, is truly a hammer hunter. Even the indicator stick is a sacred tool that does not need any extra functions and is only there to make a sound.
Real Hammer
Very nice
Apparently the swordfish jerky in Yonaguni was sold out.My plan for a souvenir was dashed....As you can imagine. Yes, it's a hammer. Thank you Itomaki-san for providing the photo.I hope we can meet again at the sea somewhere.Next time, please come to Denchan on Okinawa main island!
Nice holidays! Real holidays!! Happy holidays!!!
But it's still a big holiday ❤︎
Totty — BIGHOLIDAY Owner's Guide
I've lived in Miyako Island for 21 years (since 2005). I specialize in fun diving. I select Miyako Island's three major dive sites more than 150 times a year, and I've done about 20,000 dives in Miyako Island. YouTube "Totty / scuba diving" shares Miyakojima diving information with more than twelve thousand subscribers.
Since 2023, we have been among the top-ranked Marine Diving Award winners for three consecutive years.
2023 Japan Coast Guard Director-General's Award (for meritorious service in maritime rescue)
Discoverer of Miyako Island's first manta ray station in 2025
