Diving Type | drift dive |
---|---|
Level | experienced divers |
Depth | 25-30 m |
Visibility | 20-30 m |
Current | Strong |
Water Temp | - Between July and September, the water temperature is between 20-25°C - Between April and June and between October and December, the water temperature is between 16-20°C |
Season | Peak Season: June to October is generally considered the best time to spot hammerhead sharks, as water temperatures are warmer and the sharks are more active. |
Highlight | Abundant Hammerhead Sharks: Mikomoto Island is renowned for its large populations of hammerhead sharks. You can expect to see these distinctive creatures gliding gracefully through the water. Diverse Marine Life: In addition to hammerheads, you may encounter other incredible marine species, such as sandbar sharks, blacktip sharks, greater amberjack, Japanese amberjack, white trevally, spotted eagle ray, anthias, turtles, huge school of threeline grunt and yellowstriped butterfish |
Mikomoto Island is a small, uninhabited island. Its only human-made structure is the Mikomotojima Lighthouse, the oldest stone lighthouse still in use as a navigational mark between Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay. The island is located about 10 kilometers southeast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and is only a 15-20 minute boat ride away.
Mikomoto Island is a renowned diving spot, teeming with a diverse array of large marine life. Influenced by the Kuroshio Current, one of the world's strongest ocean currents, the island experiences strong currents, making it a challenging area for navigation. Consequently, it has earned a reputation among fishermen and big-game anglers.
Due to the influence of the Kuroshio Current, which flows northward from the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean near the Philippines, a portion of it flows northeast along the southeastern coast of Japan. This current carries warm water from the south, making Mikomoto Island one of the world's best places to observe sharks in their natural habitat. Large schools of hammerhead sharks and other shark species can be found almost year-round. Typically, water temperatures rise between July and September, increasing the chances of encountering large groups of hammerhead sharks (which prefer warmer waters above 20°C). However, divers wishing to dive here should be experienced in drift diving and have excellent buoyancy control due to the frequent strong currents.
Additional details about Mikomoto:
Diving Precautions:
Mitsu-ne
"Mitsu-ne" refers to a cluster of three rocks that protrude above the water's surface. These rocks are surrounded by a multitude of yellowfin tuna and sea turtles, making them a popular diving spot for migratory fish. Divers can also expect to encounter greater amberjack, Japanese amberjack, threeline grunt, and yellowstriped butterfish in these waters.
Zabu-ne
Zabu-ne is a fascinating dive site on Mikomoto Island. Its name comes from the constant waves crashing against the rocks, creating a beautiful and dynamic underwater landscape. Sometimes, divers enjoy drift dives from Zabu-ne to Kame-ne.
Enokuchi
is located on the western side of Mikomoto Island, serving as the "front door" to the island. While influenced by the tides, the currents within the area are generally calm, making it suitable for less experienced divers. However, due to the proximity of fishing boats, it's advisable to maintain a safe distance from the island.
This dive site offers a relatively calm environment with moderate depths, although deeper areas can be found further out. Common marine life in this region includes snappers, rockfish, and hawksbill wrasse, which can be observed year-round.