Visit the best sites in the Izu Peninsula with EastDive
This popular site is our recommendation for the best diving on the Izu Peninsula. There are two dive spots in Futo, which are both located in a large cove. From the beach point, even beginners can enjoy diving here.
You can see a wide range of tropic fish in these waters, which migrate to the cover every year. From June to August you have the chance to witness the squid eggs spawning.
When the southwesterly winds are clam, you can visit Futo Hole. This a a cave located about 3 metres below the surface, with picturesque scenery. It's especially beautiful when the sunlight filters through the water into the cave. We recommend skin-diving from this point when the weather is warm.
For deeper dives, we recommend the drop off points at Maekado and Futatsune. They have dynamic geographical features that you rarely have the opportunity to see. For advanced or pro divers, there's also some spectacular dive spots where access is limited depending on the season and are unreachable from the shore.
After a full day of diving, you can relax in the "Maru Boat Onsen" right next to the sea. Take a break, look out onto the water and talk about the day's dive. This hot tub is free for everyone to use, but management asks that you don't bring any Japanese sake or alcohol in with you.
You can see a wide range of tropic fish in these waters, which migrate to the cover every year. From June to August you have the chance to witness the squid eggs spawning.
When the southwesterly winds are clam, you can visit Futo Hole. This a a cave located about 3 metres below the surface, with picturesque scenery. It's especially beautiful when the sunlight filters through the water into the cave. We recommend skin-diving from this point when the weather is warm.
For deeper dives, we recommend the drop off points at Maekado and Futatsune. They have dynamic geographical features that you rarely have the opportunity to see. For advanced or pro divers, there's also some spectacular dive spots where access is limited depending on the season and are unreachable from the shore.
After a full day of diving, you can relax in the "Maru Boat Onsen" right next to the sea. Take a break, look out onto the water and talk about the day's dive. This hot tub is free for everyone to use, but management asks that you don't bring any Japanese sake or alcohol in with you.
This is another popular point on the East Izu Peninsula. The underwater geographical features here were created when Mount Oomuroyama erupted, and lava flowed into the sea. The water here is absolutely teeming with sea life. Warm water is brought in by a warm current current named 'Kuroshio', which flows up from the Pacifi Ocean, past the Philippines. In the summer time the temperature reaches 25°C/77°F! The lowest temperature is 13°C/55°F, so you can enjoy diving all year. Every year the dive center here displays a huge Christmas tree underwater. They also lend out Santa Claus and reindeer outfits for divers who feel like getting into the Christmas spirit. You can see a lot of Santa Clauses swimming around underwater this time of year!
Yawatano is another dive site located in East Izu, not far from Izukougen Station. This coast is facing the north-east, so if conditions are choppy in the west near Futo Ocean Park, you can still find calm waters here. Many fish live in the shallow waters of this embankment, including plenty of horse mackerel. You don't have to travel far from the entry point before you start to see the underwater wildlife, so this is a great spot for beginners. The wide, sandy landscape makes this the perfect spot if you're interested in getting up close to the fish and taking lots of photos. If you travel further in there's the chance for deep diving, but many species such as Japanese sawtails, cherry anthias, and pearl-spot damselfish live in the shallower waters. Not only that, but frogfishes and scorpion fishes can be found hiding amongst the rocks.
Atami is a diving point, not far from Tokyo, which is popular for shipwreck diving. This spot is named 'chinsen', which means shipwreck in Japanese. It's home to a large ship named the Asahi Maru (about 85 meters in length), which sunk 25 years ago after being split in two by a storm. The highest point of the ship is 26m (85ft) deep, and the bottom of the ship rests at 35m (115ft). Even at this depth, light trickles in from the surface of the water into the inside of the wreck. This location boasts huge biodiversity including soft corals, sea sponges, fishes, crabs and nudibranchs. There are various routes we can take depending on your skill level and many interesting underwater features along the way. There are routes where the depth reaches 40 metres (130ft) and you can drift to the sunken ships, or shallower routes where you can witness the macro fauna in the area. Beginner or advances divers can enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of this area.
Hatsushima is an island close to Tokyo that takes about 25 minutes to reach from Atami port. This popular tourist spot is home to about 300 people. In the summertime, countless toruists travel here by ferry to enjoy the local seafood delicacies. However, we would recommend this spot for ant time of year. This is the place for a diver who enjoys travel and island diving.
Futatsune is the main dive point here, and it has a magnificent array of underwater wildlife. As well as the coral and tropical fish, see if you can find the small underwater structure here called "Daiwa House". Also, spot the horse mackerel and yellow striped butter fish that might appear on your plate later in the evening. There's fresh fish available in all the restaurants in the island. Out recommendation is the rice bowl with cuttlefish sashimi. Enjoy diving and Japanese cuisine together!
Futatsune is the main dive point here, and it has a magnificent array of underwater wildlife. As well as the coral and tropical fish, see if you can find the small underwater structure here called "Daiwa House". Also, spot the horse mackerel and yellow striped butter fish that might appear on your plate later in the evening. There's fresh fish available in all the restaurants in the island. Out recommendation is the rice bowl with cuttlefish sashimi. Enjoy diving and Japanese cuisine together!
Shishihama is the closest dive site in West Izu. Conditions are best here when winds are coming in from the northeast. After crossing a short bridge, divers enter the water and swim to the drop off. A sandy slope starts at 5 meters and continues down to 15 meters before dropping off sharply. Deep dives are popular here with many fish including box fish, pennant coral fish and indo-pacific sergeant majors can seen at around the 30 meter point. This is a great spot using nitrox tanks or completing the Enriched Air Course.
Osezaki has dramatic views both under and above water. People are drawn to the great underwater environment here in West Izu, and the commanding view of Mount Fuji. There are many dive sites accessible from the shore: in the bay, outside the bay and at the cape. PADI dive training courses are popular here, as well as refreshment couses and Discover Scuba Diving experiences. In the bay, you can a see a small shrine, a sunken ship, a Venus statue and even a motorcycle, all underwater!
Outside the bay, there is a steep drop-off to about 30-40 meters depth. (100ft - 130ft) There are many soft corals and whip corals that can be seen at about at that depth. The "Manbo" moon fish can be seen at the outside and cape points in Spring - very exciting!
Outside the bay, there is a steep drop-off to about 30-40 meters depth. (100ft - 130ft) There are many soft corals and whip corals that can be seen at about at that depth. The "Manbo" moon fish can be seen at the outside and cape points in Spring - very exciting!
West Izu is home to Ida, a small village located between Osezaki and Toda. About 10 years ago, this shore diving site was discovered and has since become a popular dive point. The water is extremely clear since it faces the open ocean, with good bottom contours and abundant fish life. Ita has a gentle slope leading to a sudden drop off to a depth of 35 meters (115ft). There are countless fish living along the boundary of 'Gorota' and the wide sandy areas. You can look up from the bottom and see the crisp silhouettes of the migrating fish near the surface of the water. From autumn to winter, the visibility is often more than 30 meters (100ft).
Tago is a famous area in West Izu with boat diving points inside and outside of the bay. Divers can enjoy taking many macro pictures of the dynamic underwater features while diving inside of the bay. Drift diving is available only for a few months of the year. Inexperienced divers are encouraged to join and there is no training fee for drift diving.
Tago is well know for an abundance of beautiful table corals, especially at the outer dive sites. Table corals are usually found in the warmer waters of southern Japan. Soft coral grows abundantly in the area. This is the secret of why Tago has so many different kinds of fish.
One popular point has a dynamic 30+ meter drop off. (almost 100ft) In the flow of the current, countless fish can be seen here. Another area has a sandy bottom for beginner divers. There is also a cave drift dive here.
Tago is well know for an abundance of beautiful table corals, especially at the outer dive sites. Table corals are usually found in the warmer waters of southern Japan. Soft coral grows abundantly in the area. This is the secret of why Tago has so many different kinds of fish.
One popular point has a dynamic 30+ meter drop off. (almost 100ft) In the flow of the current, countless fish can be seen here. Another area has a sandy bottom for beginner divers. There is also a cave drift dive here.
Toi is a diving area located in the middle of West-izu. There is a large pool facility here that's used for various diving courses. There are shore and boat diving options available at the many dive sites. One popular point has three shipwrecks lying very close to each other.
From the shore, the water gradually deepens to about 5 meters (16ft) - perfect for beginner divers to gain confidence and feel comfortable in the water. Many fish are here, with nice views above water.
From the shore, the water gradually deepens to about 5 meters (16ft) - perfect for beginner divers to gain confidence and feel comfortable in the water. Many fish are here, with nice views above water.
Koganezaki is located within a national park in West Izu. It is well known for a vivid golden color reflected off the cliffs at sunset. This shore diving site is good for beginners and muck-diver enthusiasts. If you enter from the shore, the depth increases gradually so you can relax if you're a beginner. There are many small fish hiding amongst the rocks, including frog fish and colorful pennant coral fish. We recommend taking out your macro lens to discover some of the smaller undersea creatures. You can take your time here relaxing and exploring the untouched, underwater landscape.
There are plenty of seafood restaurants in Koganzeki, including many stores that are known only to locals. Just ask us if you'd like some guidance on getting around.
There are plenty of seafood restaurants in Koganzeki, including many stores that are known only to locals. Just ask us if you'd like some guidance on getting around.
Kumomi is very popular spot for people who are interested in cave diving. There are many dive sites in the bay that feature caves, and a few on the outside too. The dive boats here are equipped with a life-style exit, which means that three divers can be pulled up at once. Not bad! Not only are the boats are comfortable, the water is exceptionally warm. Thanks to the warm currents moving up the Pacific Ocean, the water can reach 27°C/80.6°F in the summer. Visibility in the summer and the autumn is usually greater than 20 meters (65ft).
One unique feature we call the "Cave of H". Although truth be told, it's more like a underwater maze than a cave. Don't be intimidated; our experts can guide you through here easily. If you're interested in even larger caves, ask us about the giant underwater cave located in Ohushi.
One unique feature we call the "Cave of H". Although truth be told, it's more like a underwater maze than a cave. Don't be intimidated; our experts can guide you through here easily. If you're interested in even larger caves, ask us about the giant underwater cave located in Ohushi.
Mikomoto is located at the southern most point of the Izu peninsula. You can do some real drift diving at Kamene, where there is a strong flowing current. A wide range of macro fauna can be seen here, including occasionally sea turtles and whale sharks. The hammerheads usually arrive around summer every year. They ride in on the tide and often appear in great numbers. If you are lucky, you can swim along with them. We call this the "Hammer River". At Mikomoto the dive boat has a lift-style exit which makes it very easy to enter and exit the water. Three divers can be pulled up at once.
Mikomoto is truly an exciting location, but be aware that this dive tour isn't for beginner divers. You need to have a good level of experience. You need to have logged at least over 50 logged dives and hold an Advanced Open Water Diver Certification. You also need to know how to deploy an SMB (DSMB).
Mikomoto is truly an exciting location, but be aware that this dive tour isn't for beginner divers. You need to have a good level of experience. You need to have logged at least over 50 logged dives and hold an Advanced Open Water Diver Certification. You also need to know how to deploy an SMB (DSMB).
