Surrounded by ocean, Japan is residence to numerous distinctive dive locations—a lot of that are only a quick journey from main cities. One such treasure lies to the south of Tokyo: the Izu Islands.
A part of Tokyo Prefecture but filled with tropical island attraction, the Izu Islands are strung alongside the trail of the nice and cozy Kuroshio Present. This wealthy ocean movement creates an underwater paradise teeming with life—from colleges of pelagic fish like amberjack and yellowtail, to vibrant tropical reef species.
Sea turtles are a standard sight, and in the event you’re fortunate, you may even encounter thresher sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, and even whale sharks, dolphins, and whales. These islands maintain the promise of unforgettable encounters, regardless of your expertise degree.
Geologically, the Izu Islands sit on the jap fringe of the Philippine Sea Plate and have been fashioned by volcanic exercise. The consequence? Dramatic underwater landscapes formed by lava flows and caldera rims—good for divers who love daring topography as a lot as marine life.
Diving Highlights in Izu Islands
Izu Oshima Island
Izu Oshima is probably the most accessible of the Izu Islands. By taking a jet ferry from Atami, you’ll be able to attain the island in simply 45 minutes—making its quick access one in every of its major sights. The waters across the island are warmed by the Kuroshio Present, providing constantly excessive water temperatures, good visibility, and a wealthy number of marine life. As a volcanic island, the underwater terrain is crammed with arches and crevices, and these dramatic formations are superbly adorned with colourful mushy corals. This creates a extremely various underwater panorama for divers to take pleasure in.
From autumn by means of winter, the island turns into a hotspot for seasonal tropical fish. The island additionally options many beach-entry dive websites splendid for fish watching and underwater pictures, akin to the favored Akinohama. Even throughout robust winds or typhoons, diving is commonly doable by selecting a sheltered facet of the island, which additionally makes Izu Oshima a preferred coaching location for scuba programs.
Common Dive Spot in Oshima: Akinohama
Akinohama affords the whole lot a diver may ask for—boulder fields, sandy bottoms, slopes, partitions, and deep areas. Regardless of being a shore dive, many divers say it rivals, and even surpasses, boat-access websites by way of high quality and variety. The dive web site itself is expansive, with a number of route choices accessible, making it a spot you’ll be able to dive many times with out ever losing interest.
The location is wealthy in marine life, from macro topics to giant pelagic species, and even uncommon creatures every so often. It’s particularly widespread amongst underwater photographers. Some divers say, “After I come to Izu Oshima, I solely dive Akinohama.” A ladder is put in on the entry level, making each entry and exit simple—a pleasant bonus for divers of all ranges.
Methods to Get There
From Tokyo’s Takeshiba Pier, a big passenger ferry operated by Tokai Kisen departs as soon as each day and takes about six hours. Excessive-speed jet ferries are additionally accessible from Takeshiba, slicing the journey time to round 1 hour and 45 minutes. Moreover, you’ll be able to attain Izu Oshima from Atami in about 45 minutes. On weekends and holidays, there’s additionally entry from Kurihama.
Hachijojima Island
Positioned about 178 miles/287 kilometers south of Tokyo, Hachijojima Island is the second-largest of the Izu Islands, with a shoreline stretching roughly 32 miles/51 kilometers. Brilliant tropical flowers like hibiscus and chook of paradise bloom throughout the island, making a lush and colourful southern-island ambiance.
The island’s two iconic volcanoes—Mount Hachijo-Fuji and Mount Mihara—fashioned the land by means of overlapping lava flows, giving the island its dynamic topography each above and under the floor.
Underwater, Hachijojima Island is greatest recognized for its extraordinary biodiversity. Greater than 700 species of fish might be discovered right here, together with endemic species like wrought iron butterflyfish and Japanese swallow, plus marine life from each the Izu Peninsula and southern Okinawa. From tiny frogfish and nudibranchs to varsities of amberjack and dogtooth tuna—and even occasional sightings of thresher sharks and hammerheads—the island guarantees unforgettable dives for all expertise ranges.
Featured Dive Spot: Nazumado
Nazumado is probably the most well-known shore dive web site on Hachijojima Island. With wonderful tidal movement, it will probably typically current robust currents—however this additionally means distinctive fish density.
Right here, you could spot giant pelagics like dogtooth tuna, amberjack, rainbow runners, yellowtail, and skipjack tuna. Sharks akin to hammerheads and threshers additionally make appearances. The reef is residence to native specialties like wrought iron butterflyfish, Japanese swallow, Purplemask angelfish, and striped boarfish, together with small critters akin to harlequin shrimp and nudibranchs. It’s a well-rounded web site providing one thing for each diver.
Methods to Get There
A big passenger ferry operated by Tokai Kisen departs each day from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, leaving at 10:30 p.m. This handy schedule permits even Tokyo-area residents to return residence after work and nonetheless make the ferry in time. Alternatively, Hachijojima Island might be reached by air through Haneda Airport, with a number of flights accessible each day.
Kozushima Island
The title “Kozushima Island” is alleged to originate from the legend of Kamitsudoshima, that means “Island the place the gods collect.” In accordance with delusion, deities as soon as assembled right here to determine how one can form the Izu Islands. Positioned close to the middle of the Izu Island chain, Kozushima Island is strongly influenced by the nice and cozy Kuroshio Present, creating thrilling and dynamic diving circumstances.
Well-known as a wealthy fishing floor, the waters across the island are teeming with life. Divers can count on encounters with sea turtles, amberjack, rainbow runners, and even colleges of striped boarfish. On the calmer western facet of the island, white-sand seabeds create a extra relaxed setting—splendid for rookies—whereas superior divers can benefit from the action-packed currents and reefscapes on different sides. Along with diving, Kozushima Island can be widespread for browsing, fishing, and different marine actions.
Featured Dive Spot in Kozuahim Island: Nagahama Sakune
Nagahama Sakune is a boat-access dive web site recognized for its extremely dense fish populations. A number of rocky pinnacles dot the realm, drawing giant colleges of damselfish, grunt, and yellowstriped butterfish. You may additionally see teams of striped boarfishand and redlip morwong, and even giant predators like longtooth grouper cruising by. The location additionally options mini arches and distinctive underwater terrain. On account of frequent robust currents, this web site is greatest fitted to intermediate to superior divers.
Methods to Get There
A big passenger ferry operated by Tokai Kisen departs as soon as each day from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, with a journey time of roughly 12 hours. Excessive-speed jet ferries are additionally accessible from each Takeshiba Pier and Atami—taking about 3 hours 45 minutes and a couple of hours, respectively. Moreover, seasonal ferry providers can be found from Shimoda.
Miyakejima Island
Positioned about 112 miles/180 kilometers south of Tokyo, Miyakejima Island sits close to the middle of the Izu Island chain. After the eruption of Mount Oyama in 2000, the island was closed to guests for a number of years, however tourism formally resumed in Might 2005. Since then, vacationers have returned to expertise its distinctive panorama and vibrant marine life.
Lava from the eruption prolonged all the best way into the ocean, forming dramatic underwater options akin to arches and drop-offs. On the identical time, giant colonies of desk corals and colourful tropical fish provide a extra tranquil, southern-island diving scene.
Dive websites are scattered across the island and embody each shore and boat choices, with all kinds of environments that cater to divers of all ranges—from rookies to veterans. One of many island’s hottest sights is dolphin swimming, the place guests can take a ship over to neighboring Mikurajima Island for an unforgettable encounter with wild dolphins.
Featured Dive Spot: Okubohama
Okubohama is Miyakejima Island’s signature beach-entry dive web site, appropriate for all ability ranges. After coming into from a black sand seashore, divers encounter a wide range of underwater environments together with boulder fields, sandy flats, and rocky terrain. A variety of marine life might be discovered right here—from macro favorites like clownfish, seahorses, and frogfish to varsities of enormous pelagic species.
The location is particularly widespread amongst fish watchers and underwater photographers, as uncommon species typically make shock appearances.
Methods to Get There
A big in a single day ferry operated by Tokai Kisen departs each day from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, leaving at 10:30 p.m. This handy schedule permits residents within the Tokyo space to go residence after work earlier than heading to the pier. Alternatively, Miyakejima Island will also be reached by aircraft from Chofu Airport, with flights operated a number of occasions a day.
Shikinejima Island
Positioned southwest of Niijima, Shikinejima Island is a small island with a circumference of about 7.5 miles/12 kilometers. Surrounded by a deeply indented ria shoreline, the island is well-protected from wind, providing calm circumstances splendid for diving.
The island options mild seashore dive websites good for rookies, coaching, and check out dives. In the meantime, boat-access websites provide encounters with colleges of pelagic fish and vibrant mushy coral gardens. One of many island’s most unusual underwater experiences is a submarine scorching spring, the place bubbles rise mystically from the ocean flooring—and typically sea turtles might be discovered resting within the heat sand.
On land, the island is wealthy in pure magnificence, together with volcanic terrain and a large tree stated to be over 900 years previous. Don’t miss the prospect to soak in Shikinejima’s pure seaside scorching springs, akin to Ashitsuki Onsen and Jinata Onsen, that are accessible by foot and freed from cost.
Featured Dive Spot: Okama Bay (Underwater Scorching Spring)
Okama Bay is a uncommon and globally distinctive dive web site the place scorching springs bubble up from beneath white sandy seafloors. Appropriate even for rookies, this boat-access web site is a part of a CO₂ seep space—an surroundings the place scientists examine the potential impacts of future ocean acidification.
Should you dig your hand into the sand, you’ll discover it surprisingly scorching. The location is residence to guitarfish, giant rays, and affords a excessive probability of recognizing sea turtles. Due to its uncommon geological options and ongoing analysis efforts, Okama Bay attracts consideration from marine biologists world wide.
Methods to Get There
A big passenger ferry operated by Tokai Kisen departs as soon as each day from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, with a journey time of roughly 10 hours. Excessive-speed jet ferries are additionally accessible from the identical pier, taking round 3 hours. Alternatively, you’ll be able to take a ferry from Shimoda or fly from Chofu Airport to Niijima Island, then switch to a neighborhood boat to achieve Shikinejima Island.
Toshima Island
Positioned about 16 miles/25 kilometers south of Izu Oshima Island, Toshima Island is a small, conical island fashioned by a stratovolcano. With its steep, mountainous terrain and untouched pure surroundings, it attracts guests not just for diving but additionally for mountaineering and stargazing.
Toshima is often known as “The Island of Camellias.” Round 200,000 wild camellia bushes (Yabutsubaki) develop throughout the island, and camellia oil manufacturing is a thriving native trade. The island’s camellia oil is particularly prized for its prime quality.
Beneath the waves, the island is strongly influenced by the Kuroshio Present, which brings nutrient-rich water and attracts a variety of marine life—from inexperienced sea turtles and sharks to giant pelagic fish. Pods of untamed Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are recognized to frequent the waters across the island, making dolphin swimming one other widespread exercise.
Featured Dive Spot: Kemeishi
Kameishi is a dynamic boat dive web site advisable for intermediate to superior divers. It’s sometimes loved as a drift dive, and—as its title suggests—affords a really excessive probability of encountering sea turtles. On a single dive, you could spot as much as 10 turtles cruising by means of the crystal-clear waters.
The location additionally sees common appearances by giant colleges of pelagic fish akin to amberjack, yellowtail, and striped jack. On uncommon events, even hammerhead sharks might cross by means of. With towering partitions of fish and wonderful visibility, this web site delivers actually breathtaking underwater scenes.
Methods to Get There
A big passenger ferry operated by Tokai Kisen departs as soon as each day from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, with a journey time of roughly 9 hours. Excessive-speed jet ferries are additionally accessible from the identical pier, taking round 2 hours 20 minutes. Alternatively, you’ll be able to take a ferry from Shimoda, or fly from Chofu Airport to Izu Oshima Island after which switch to Toshima Island by helicopter or boat.
