Marine Stage Kushimoto

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.