Gorilla Chop

Gorilla Chop is a beginner-friendly shore dive on the southern shore of the Motobu peninsula, Okinawa, named for a rock formation at the beach that resembles a gorilla doing a karate chop. In winter or stormy summer weather, when the wind blows from the north, this stretch is the only place on Okinawa that can be dived from shore. Even when boats cannot leave port, Gorilla Chop usually offers calm seas, clear water and varied marine life.

The water is shallow, 1 to 12 m, for a relaxed dive or snorkel from the beach. Seahorses, anemonefish and clouds of sardines are often seen. A large car park is on site, reached by driving north on route 58 past Nago, and changing areas and showers are inside the building.