Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium

Dobuiso (★3.8)

On Chichijima’s east side, this popular dive site’s channel teems with bigeye jacks, sunfish, blacktip reef sharks, barracuda, and rock cod. Beyond the channel, pelagic fish and large schools abound. Dolphins sometimes appear during the safety stop, adding to the site’s allure.

Barachin (Wreck) (★3.9)

Barachin, a battleship that sank during World War II, is located in Takinoura Bay on Chodo Island. This is a major point in the Ogasawara Islands where many divers go because of its easy access from Chichijima. There is a wreck in the water at a depth of about 12 meters that was broken apart. Root fish are schooled there as a fishing reef. There is little to no current, and beginners will enjoy it. The reefs, which are 20 meters deep, are crowded with beautiful fish such as Scorpionfish, Scabiosa, Keramahana. and Hydrangea.

Tuna Hole (★4.7)

A strange rock on Yomejima, the southernmost island in the Keita archipelago, about 50 km from Chichijima. The Arc de Triomphe is half-submerged in water. Bluefin tuna congregate in the holes, sometimes as many as 100 or more.

Scubapro

Sohugan (★0.0)

Located about 570km south of Tokyo, between the Ogasawara Islands and Hachijojima Island, this is a strangely shaped rock in a precipitous sea. A rock at an altitude of 99 meters that rises from a depth of 2500 meters. It takes about 20 hours by charter boat to get here.

Occhogahama (★4.1)

This site is at the southwestern point of the island. Although it is a beach entry, there is a large cave and many nudibranchs around it, making it a popular spot. Entry and exit are done from the dedicated stairs.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Yaene (★3.2)

Yaene, on Hachijojima’s west coast, is a calm bay beach-entry site suitable for all levels. About 200m out lies a 12m-deep arch hosting snapping turtles and rock lobsters. Green turtles are common, and macro life like nudibranchs and bee-eaters adds to its appeal.

Aqualung

Sokodo (★4.0)

Sokodo Beach in northeast Hachijojima features clear “Hachijo blue” waters. Entry is from the embankment, leading to Mimata Arch, home to species like long snappers and striped anemonefish. With frequent green turtle sightings, it’s ideal for both beginners and advanced divers.

Nazumado (★4.6)

Nazumado is on the west side of the island where you can see Hachijo Kojima in front of you. This dive site is set up very uniquely with ropes to help you enter and exit from a walled reef that falls sharply down the slope.

Glass World (★3.6)

This site is located at one end of the tidal cape. Anchors are placed at four main locations from the shallow area. The shallow area is shallow, about 8 meters below the anchors. There are clusters of white corals and care should be taken not to touch the corals. The depth at the other anchor points is usually about 15 meters. This site is dotted with sand and roots, so it is important to maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid sand uplift and to protect the habitat of the creatures. There is little current and the point is easy to dive.

Bizen (★3.4)

This is one of the west side points of Kushimoto. It is a deep point about 18m deep under the anchor. There are two big roots near the anchor, and it is a channel. The west side and the south side are sandy, and in the sandy area of the south side, the spawning ground of the cuttlefish is set up depending on the season. On the north side, there is a series of coral reefs, and after passing through the coral reefs, the sandy bottom spreads out. The depth of the sandy area is about 25 to 27m. There is almost no current, and it is a point that can be enjoyed by beginners to advanced divers.

Sumisaki (★3.4)

This popular diving spot in Kushimoto features a large pinnacle under the anchor, reaching about 12m. The depth increases to a maximum of 27m further north. With minimal current, it’s suitable for divers of all levels. Remote pinnacles are scattered, with one in the northeast and a cleaning station in the west.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Ando no Hana (★4.0)

There is one buoy in shallow water and one in deep water. In the deep area, the buoy is sunk in the sand mixed with mud, and the depth exceeds 20 meters under anchor. The deep buoy is located in the sand. The maximum depth is about 27m. Be sure to maintain neutral buoyancy in the sand. This is a limited time dive site from October, so it is definitely worth a visit.

Nakagurumi (★3.2)

This site features scattered reefs on sandy bottoms, with poor water flow often causing low visibility. Divers use a rope during descent and must control buoyancy and fin kicks to avoid stirring up sand. The maximum depth is about 10 meters, with small tunnels present. Currents are minimal.

Marine Center Front (★3.5)

Beach point on Route 42 has a sloped terrain; caution with equipment to avoid falls. Watch tide levels—low tide reveals rocks at entry. Ideal for diving during high tide; calm waters, shallow for easy diving. Beware of coral clusters; maintain neutral buoyancy while exploring.

Kushimoto (★3.6)

Kushimoto, the southernmost town on Honshu, is strongly influenced by the Kuroshio Current, and has a large variety of tropical fish from Okinawa and Izu, making it one of the top fishing areas in Japan.

Aqualung

Isuzumi Reef (★3.4)

The dive takes place around a flat root that extends into the sand. There are two buoys, one in shallow water and one in deep water. There is almost no current and the depth is relatively shallow. The main attraction is a big arch in the root. Inside the arch, soft corals grow in clusters and it is a resting place for creatures. It is easy to dive, so beginners to advanced divers can enjoy this point.

Soshimaoki-1none (★3.5)

The tops of the roots are 13m to 17m. The top of the roots is 13m to 17m and the dive is usually done along the western drop-off which drops vertically to 30m. The white sandy seabed is beautiful and the mountainous roots are covered with soft corals such as sea squirts. It is recommended for intermediate to advanced divers because of the current depending on the time of day and season. The most popular point in the shallow area, the shallowest depth is 14m and the maximum depth is 30m.

Shimamawari (★3.9)

The top of the root is 6m and the bottom is 30m. The topography is like Ayers Rock in Australia sinking into the water. East, west, north and south are drop-offs. There is a small cave on the west side with a remote root. The current can be a bit swift, but it is not that strong. The tops of the roots are wide and covered with corals and anemones.

Noa Front Beach (★3.6)

Susami can be accessed from the Kansai area in about two hours, so it is home base for many divers in the Kansai area. Beach entry is available, but boat diving is the main activity.It is characterized by good clarity called “Susami Blue“ and a lot of migratory fish.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Koza River Nukumi (★3.7)

This dive site offers freshwater river diving in the clear Furuza River. You can observe the giant salamander, a special national natural monument. You can also dive downstream, but the giant salamander is often seen in the upstream area, about an hour upstream from Furuza town.

Shirahama (★3.9)

The area is easily accessible from the Kansai area and has long been a popular diving area for Kansai divers as it has prospered as a hot spring tourist attraction. It has a long history as a dive site in the Kii Peninsula. There are plenty of points for both beach entry and boat entry.

Tanabe (★3.9)

This area is very popular because it is close to the Kansai area and you can take a day trip there. It can be divided into three main areas: Tanabe, Hoyo, and Minabe. There are more than 30 points in the entire area with boat beaches.

Mikura Island (★4.5)

More than 200 wild dolphins live around Mikurajima. You can swim with them by skin diving only; no scuba diving is allowed. There are two ways to swim with the dolphins here. The first way is you can land on Mikurajima and approach the dolphins in a small boat.

Zenisu (★4.5)

Senzu is located 36 km southwest of Jinzu Island in the Izu Seven Islands and consists of three reefs. It takes one and a half hours one way from Jinzu Island, three and a half to four hours one way from Shimoda, and five hours from Nishi-Izu, and can only be reached by charter boat.