TYPES OF AMA
OYOGIDO
The oyogido do not use a boat and simply choose to swim out to areas that are closer to shore and dive to shallower depths of between two to four metres
FUNADO
The funado are more experienced divers and can dive to greater depths. They typically work with a single boatman, who is usually their husband, and can dive much farther out from shore. With the help of a weighted belt or bag, the funado are able to descend to depths of up to 25 metres
AMA FESTIVAL
Every year, in mid-July, in Minamiboso city, Chiba prefecture, around 100 kilometres southeast of Tokyo, ama divers celebrate the Shirahama Ama Festival. Dressed in their traditional cotton diving garb and carrying torches, dozens of ama perform a ritual swim to pay homage to their traditions and pray for the safety and success of local fishermen in the coming season. The festivities include dancing, enjoying local foods, and a fireworks display. The best part? Any woman can sign up to participate and become an ama for a night. And afterwards, you’ll get a certificate to prove it!
With a robust economy, ancient culture and growing presence on the global stage, South Korea has slowly become one of the most talked about travel destinations in East Asia. Known as the “Land of the Morning Calm”, the country encompasses over 5,000 years of history, art, and culture, offering visitors an amazing range of experiences.
Journeying through the country, you can find the neon signboards and bustling markets of modern cities such as Seoul and Busan, but travel just a little bit further out and you can find traditional coastal cities such as Icheon and Damyang. Moreover, South Korea is home to more than 3,300 islands and islets, many of which are still untouched and unexplored, allowing for divers to uncover the treasures that lie below the waves – music to the ears of any adventurous diver!
Understandably, when you consider South Korea, you may not think of the country as being a hotspot for scuba diving, but this is a country of untapped potential and there are many great diving opportunities available. While the dive sites are scattered around the country, divers in the know tend to head over to the east and south coasts. So, if you’re looking for a new destination to explore that promises lots of exciting surprises, South Korea is one country to include on your short list. You might just be surprised at how many diving gems you find in this corner in this corner of East Asia.