Explore Odawara & Manazuru
Diving in the Odawara and Manazuru regions offers a unique and accessible escape for divers seeking a memorable underwater adventure just a short trip from Tokyo. The peninsula is rich in marine biodiversity, with abundant reefs and sandy areas that promise diverse underwater landscapes. Using fishing boats instead of dive boats adds a distinctive local flavor to the experience. Navigating the dive sites is made easy with the installation of guide ropes, ensuring a pleasant experience for divers of all skill levels. The rocky areas teem with scorpion fish, providing an exciting encounter for divers. Sandy areas reveal hidden treasures like goby and flounder, while the vibrant seaweed in spring offers a haven for adorable small lumpfish and snail fish. Summer invites divers to witness the mesmerizing dance of squid, enhancing the seasonal allure of these waters. This region stands out not only for its marine life but also for the seamless blend of natural beauty and cultural authenticity, making it a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts.
Dive Activity
Diving in Odawara & Manazuru
Odawara and Manazuru offer divers a captivating underwater world, balancing both shore and liveaboard diving experiences. The area is renowned for its diverse marine life and intriguing dive sites, with the Manazuru Peninsula being a standout destination. Here, shore dives offer encounters with vibrant coral reefs and varied fish species, making it a must-visit for marine enthusiasts. For those interested in wreck diving, the waters near Odawara harbor intriguing shipwreck sites, providing a glimpse into history beneath the waves. These wrecks, though not widely known, offer unique explorations for adventurous divers. Additionally, night dives reveal the nocturnal behaviors of local marine life, adding an exciting twist to the diving experience. Overall, the region strikes a perfect balance between accessible shore dives and more immersive liveaboard options, catering to divers of all preferences.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Odawara & Manazuru
Odawara and Manazuru, located along the scenic coastline of Japan, offer a vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life. Divers can expect to encounter an array of reef fish, including species like damselfish and butterflyfish, which thrive among the coral gardens year-round. These waters also host colorful nudibranchs, adding an extra splash of color to the underwater landscape.
During certain seasons, the area becomes a hotspot for larger marine creatures. From May to September, eagle rays are frequently seen gliding gracefully through the currents. In the summer months, lucky divers might spot green sea turtles basking near the coral reefs. While sightings of sharks are less common, they occasionally make an appearance in deeper waters during the autumn months, offering an exhilarating experience for more adventurous divers.
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
Alamy-WaterFrame
254 Sightings
J
21
F
10
M
10
A
13
M
13
J
29
J
39
A
23
S
11
O
36
N
15
D
34
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
180 Sightings
J
19
F
11
M
5
A
9
M
11
J
11
J
29
A
19
S
10
O
36
N
0
D
20
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
27 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
5
A
0
M
12
J
0
J
8
A
0
S
0
O
0
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
Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish
255 Sightings
J
21
F
18
M
5
A
9
M
15
J
18
J
28
A
28
S
27
O
38
N
13
D
35
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
214 Sightings
J
18
F
16
M
4
A
6
M
16
J
17
J
29
A
20
S
26
O
37
N
0
D
25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 50
istock-atese
Frogfish
146 Sightings
J
23
F
10
M
8
A
5
M
8
J
7
J
28
A
8
S
12
O
12
N
0
D
25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
141 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
0
A
8
M
10
J
12
J
29
A
21
S
13
O
22
N
0
D
17
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3
k
Cornetfish
135 Sightings
J
15
F
12
M
0
A
8
M
5
J
9
J
14
A
14
S
8
O
29
N
0
D
21
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish
122 Sightings
J
15
F
3
M
4
A
8
M
2
J
8
J
12
A
9
S
11
O
31
N
0
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish
118 Sightings
J
14
F
13
M
4
A
0
M
10
J
8
J
12
A
14
S
9
O
25
N
0
D
9
The best Months to dive in Odawara & Manazuru
Odawara and Manazuru offer diving opportunities year-round, with conditions varying by season. Water temperatures range from 14°C–26°C/57°F–79°F. Winter and spring often experience the coolest temperatures, while summer brings warmer waters. Visibility is generally between 10–20 meters/33–66 feet, but it can decrease during rainy seasons or when strong currents occur. Diving is possible throughout the year, although summer and early autumn are particularly favorable due to warmer waters and calmer seas. Wind and currents can affect visibility and safety, particularly during typhoon season, typically from August to October. While winter diving is feasible, divers should be prepared for cooler temperatures and potentially reduced visibility.
