Amami Oshima

Before each dive or snorkel check wind direction, swell, current, local warnings, boat traffic, entry/exit and weather outlook with the actual operator. Guided sheltered sites may suit newer divers, but offshore/outer dives require additional capability and a captain's go/no-go judgment. Carry appropriate surface signaling and stay within qualification. Never attempt overhead or cave/wreck penetration without specialist training and verified permission; none is presented as an accepted itinerary here. For freediving, use formal rescue-ready supervision and never dive alone. For winter humpback swims, surface snorkeling only without scuba or skin-diving descents, under whale association/operator rules and captain control. Kohollo states no scuba on flying-home day.

Kagoshima Prefectural Oshima Hospital, 18-1 Manatsu-cho, Naze, Amami City, is the regional 24/7 emergency center (main phone 0997-52-3611) and a doctor-helicopter base. Its own nursing page lists a hyperbaric oxygen unit used for diving illness, but current chamber availability, chamber type/fitness for a particular decompression case and accepting physician must be confirmed at incident time. An operator must have an oxygen kit, communications and a written evacuation plan, especially across the strait. Use Japan's 119 medical emergency service and 118 Coast Guard at sea; activate professional assistance immediately for suspected DCS or breath-hold injury.

Amami Oshima is part of Amami Gunto National Park and a terrestrial-focused World Natural Heritage landscape. Follow specific park zone regulations: avoid collecting wildlife, handling corals, touching turtles, stepping on reef, feeding dolphin/whale populations, disturbing nesting sites or leaving litter. Kinsakubaru requires a certified eco-tour guide and visitor limits. Santaro night route requires advance registration and restricts lighting and speed; remain on permitted forest routes. Local whale watching/swimming voluntary rules limit approaches, with surface-only snorkel observation and the captain deciding whether any entry is acceptable. The legal protection status of a location should be checked with the managing authority before any specialized activity.