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.

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.

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.

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.

Sanbondake is about an hour’s boat ride from Miyakejima and is officially called Onohara Island. It is an uninhabited reef floating off the coast of Miyakejima. This site is for advanced divers only due to the strong current. This dive is a complete drift style dive. It is only possible to dive when sea conditions and currents are right. It is the most dynamic point in Miyakejima, where large schools of fish and large migratory fish can be seen.

Located in the northern part of the island, this is the main dive site of Miyakejima. This is a beach entry only. The terrain is formed by lava flowing into the water, with roots protruding offshore. There is a fairly large area to the east and west of the dive site, and you can’t go all the way around on one dive.

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.

This dive site, situated at the southernmost tip of Mikomoto Island, is renowned as the prime location for encountering hammerhead sharks and white-tip reef sharks. It stands out as the foremost spot for such encounters.

During early summer, hammerhead sharks gather in large schools at this location, circling repeatedly in a captivating manner. Divers can enjoy extended observation periods as the sharks navigate around roots or rest on rocks.

Jabu-ne, on Kamikomoto-jima Island in Shimoda, Shizuoka, is an advanced site with strong currents and dynamic terrain. Famous for summer–fall hammerhead sightings, it’s one of Japan’s top shark spots. Migratory and resident fish form large schools, delivering a thrilling, high-energy dive experience.