Explore Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula, nestled in Japan's coastal beauty, offers a diving experience like no other. This region, known for its stunning high mountains and ancient volcanic landscapes, extends its unique terrain beneath the waves. Divers here can explore fascinating underwater environments shaped by past lava flows, encountering rocky and sandy areas adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals. These diverse landscapes are home to a wide variety of marine life, offering glimpses of colorful fish, playful sea turtles, and the occasional encounter with graceful rays.

One of the peninsula's standout features is its array of diving opportunities, from shore dives and boat trips to adventurous liveaboards. The dive sites are meticulously regulated, ensuring sustainable exploration and the preservation of their natural beauty. With authorized dive service providers, divers can experience the thrill of caves and wrecks, adding an adventurous edge to their underwater journey. Seasonal variations bring different marine spectacles, making each dive a fresh and exciting experience. The Izu Peninsula's commitment to conservation and its unique geological history make it a truly special dive destination in Japan.

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Diving in Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula, located southwest of Tokyo, is a premier diving destination known for its stunning underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. One of the top dive sites is Osezaki, a popular shore dive spot offering easy access for divers of all levels. The area is famed for its vibrant coral gardens and the chance to spot species like the Japanese pygmy seahorse. Another notable site is the wreck of the "Atarashiki" near Futo, providing an exciting exploration experience for more advanced divers. For those interested in unique underwater experiences, night dives in Izu Peninsula reveal bioluminescent creatures and the mesmerizing behavior of nocturnal marine life. The balance between shore diving and liveaboard options allows divers to enjoy both convenient day trips and extended excursions to more remote sites. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, Izu Peninsula's variety of dive spots promises an unforgettable underwater adventure.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula, located southwest of Tokyo, is renowned for its diverse marine life, attracting divers with its vibrant underwater ecosystems. Common reef fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, and damselfish are abundant year-round, offering a colorful backdrop for underwater exploration. These species are easily spotted across various dive sites, providing a consistent experience for divers. Seasonal highlights include encounters with larger marine fauna. From spring to early autumn, divers have a good chance of spotting sea turtles, particularly around the coastal areas. The summer months bring sightings of rays, including the majestic manta rays, which can often be seen gliding gracefully through the waters. Additionally, autumn is known for sporadic sightings of smaller reef sharks, mainly around deeper sites. The Izu Peninsula's varied marine life makes it an exciting destination for all levels of divers, promising both consistent and seasonal wildlife encounters.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

901 Sightings
J
21
F
14
M
54
A
26
M
68
J
54
J
110
A
185
S
133
O
106
N
63
D
67

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

Wrasse

391 Sightings
J
11
F
9
M
31
A
26
M
31
J
12
J
45
A
55
S
46
O
48
N
44
D
33

Scalloped Hammerhead

304 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
35
J
98
A
64
S
60
O
37
N
6
D
0

Green Turtle

247 Sightings
J
0
F
8
M
3
A
1
M
6
J
28
J
57
A
66
S
35
O
35
N
0
D
8

Great Hammerhead Shark

59 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
3
J
26
A
13
S
13
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Damselfish

681 Sightings
J
32
F
9
M
30
A
36
M
44
J
37
J
76
A
95
S
80
O
90
N
84
D
68

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

474 Sightings
J
23
F
10
M
23
A
13
M
32
J
20
J
47
A
80
S
61
O
80
N
41
D
44

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

402 Sightings
J
9
F
5
M
27
A
19
M
21
J
22
J
50
A
65
S
49
O
63
N
40
D
32

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Pufferfish

395 Sightings
J
13
F
9
M
30
A
15
M
47
J
21
J
41
A
49
S
44
O
44
N
36
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

340 Sightings
J
9
F
7
M
28
A
12
M
33
J
13
J
44
A
56
S
41
O
38
N
26
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

326 Sightings
J
20
F
4
M
18
A
7
M
27
J
10
J
18
A
50
S
43
O
62
N
31
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

306 Sightings
J
17
F
5
M
21
A
4
M
13
J
6
J
30
A
65
S
28
O
63
N
29
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

Boxfish

295 Sightings
J
11
F
6
M
33
A
19
M
24
J
7
J
36
A
44
S
28
O
32
N
15
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

Lionfish

262 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
15
A
11
M
41
J
34
J
22
A
31
S
7
O
49
N
13
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

231 Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
17
A
12
M
17
J
0
J
20
A
56
S
29
O
19
N
20
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Scorpionfish

215 Sightings
J
14
F
3
M
22
A
0
M
24
J
9
J
16
A
19
S
34
O
40
N
15
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

Nudibranch

180 Sightings
J
16
F
5
M
26
A
18
M
21
J
15
J
14
A
18
S
13
O
5
N
3
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

Frogfish

179 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
23
A
7
M
10
J
4
J
9
A
28
S
12
O
14
N
7
D
52

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Cornetfish

157 Sightings
J
10
F
4
M
15
A
2
M
7
J
0
J
2
A
34
S
32
O
29
N
13
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

145 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
11
A
4
M
8
J
2
J
12
A
28
S
10
O
23
N
23
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Jackfish

141 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
5
J
8
J
21
A
18
S
25
O
39
N
17
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Squid

127 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
5
A
2
M
19
J
18
J
21
A
35
S
14
O
9
N
4
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shrimp

80 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
12
A
7
M
8
J
10
J
5
A
4
S
8
O
9
N
3
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Trumpetfish

78 Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
3
A
0
M
1
J
5
J
1
A
9
S
11
O
17
N
12
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

Flounder

77 Sightings
J
7
F
4
M
7
A
3
M
8
J
0
J
14
A
3
S
0
O
16
N
6
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Bannerfish

76 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
7
A
2
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
15
S
11
O
14
N
13
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Clownfish

64 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
0
A
1
M
8
J
0
J
12
A
6
S
9
O
2
N
10
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

61 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
11
A
0
M
10
J
6
J
2
A
13
S
3
O
4
N
0
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 26

Angel Shark

57 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
14
A
1
M
7
J
2
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
3
N
3
D
20

Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

56 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
2
A
12
S
5
O
13
N
10
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

53 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
3
A
2
M
11
J
15
J
9
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

52 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
6
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
7
O
22
N
5
D
7

The best Months to dive in Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula offers year-round diving opportunities with varying conditions throughout the seasons. In spring, water temperatures range from 15°C–20°C/59°F–68°F, transitioning to 20°C–26°C/68°F–79°F in summer, optimal for warmer dives. Visibility generally ranges from 10 to 20 meters/33 to 66 feet, with autumn often providing the clearest conditions due to stable weather.

While diving is possible all year, winter months bring cooler waters at 14°C–17°C/57°F–63°F, which may require thicker wetsuits. Wind and currents are factors to consider, especially in spring, as strong winds can affect surface conditions and currents may be stronger. Overall, the Izu Peninsula remains a favorable diving location, though late winter and early spring may pose less ideal conditions for some divers.

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