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Atami — East Izu
View of Atami Beach
Overview
Atami is a small seaside resort town located on the east coast of Izu, where the peninsula joins the mainland. A popular onsen resort, Atami has lost the luster it once had during the bubble era days when it was a favorite get away for honeymooners and Tokyo executives with their secretaries. At the east end of the beach a small breakwater encloses a small harbor against the main sea wall.
Atami is a bay enclosed by an outer sea wall, most of the dive sites are located across from the rocky point at the west end of the bay about a 10 minute boat ride outside the seawall. The shingle bottom is punctuated by soft coral covered rock outcroppings and one of the largest wrecks in the area. The location and aspect of the bay mean that dive sites are usually calm and accessible with little or no current. Changing and Shower facilities are conveniently placed next to the Harbour. Night diving can be arranged with advance reservation.
Dive Sites
Atami has some popular dive sites, a few are only available during part of the year; please inquire if you are interested in diving a specific site.
| Chinsen (Shipwreck) |
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| Level: | Advanced |
| Entry: | Boat |
| Type: | Wreck |
| Depth: | 33 meters | |
Description: Sunk during a typhoon some 20 years ago the Asahi Maru, a large barge, was carrying stone for the harbor walls. The power of the storm cracked its keel and it now lies in two halves about 15m apart. Its depth makes this an advanced dive, though it is well within the capability of an experienced open water diver. Penetration is possible with proper equipment and training. |
Sealife: The wreck is always surrounded by large schools of half lined cardinals, and many moray eels nestle in the debris on the decks. The sharp eyed diver may also see rays and scorpion fish. Spider crabs inhabit the abundant sponges and soft corals that cover every surface. |
| Sodaine |
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| Level : | Novice |
| Entry : | Boat |
| Type : | Pinnacle |
| Depth : | 30 meters | |
Description: The top of this rock pinacle is split into two sharp points that are just 5m below the surface. The steep sides of this rock drop off onto the sandy bottom some 40m below. Generally this is an easy dive, though at certain states of the tide the current can make it interesting. |
Sealife: The distinguishing feature of Sodaine are the tips of the pinacles, which are covered in a carpet of anemones. During the warmer summer months when the temperatures are in the high 20s clown fish can be found cavorting thought this garden. |
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| Bitagane |
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| Level : | Advanced |
| Entry : | Boat |
| Type : | Pinnacle |
| Depth : | 38 meters | |
Description: This rock pinacle lies about 100m west of Chinsen. The Southern end drops of steeply from around 12m to 40m in a spectacular wall. The wreckage of the Chinsen's tugboat lies just off the base of the wall. |
Sealife: Bitagane is a good place to find nudibranch, in the clutter of rock around the bouy line. Moray eels abound in the weed beds and crannies, while schools of Amber Jack and larger fish are found along the wall. |
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| Hanane |
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| Level : | Novice |
| Entry : | Boat |
| Type : | Rocks |
| Depth : | 18 meters | |
Description: With a maximum depth of about 18 meters, this is the ideal spot for the second dive or for divers who are not confident of the deeper sites. With a sandy bottom, there is a wall of concrete blocks which house a number of small fish. This straight wall also makes navigation out and back to the descent line easy. |
Sealife: There is a variety of small fishes and marine life, with kelp beds and the rock outcroppings with plenty of hiding space for gobies and eel. |
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| Yokoiso |
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| Level : | Novice |
| Entry : | Shore |
| Type : | Rocks |
| Depth : | 12 meters | |
Description: This is a beach dive site which is about 75 meters from the boat dock and bay. It is an easy swim from the boat ramp and normally used for open water training dives as well as for skill practice. Also, for night dives, the area is unrestricted, and you can see many different creatures on a night dive that are not seen during the day. Advance reservations are required for night dives, along with a personal dive light and backup. Instead of chemical light sticks, we prefer to use reuseable small marker lights. |
Sealife: Typical marine life includes squid (and egg sacs during the winter months), hermit crabs, snake eels, and a variety of fishes in the kelp beds. Fish to look for: Helmut Gurnard, which looks like a giant moth when pectoral fins with dark spots are extended. |
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| Dokutsu (Cave) |
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| Level : | Novice |
| Entry : | Boat |
| Type : | Cave |
| Depth : | 15 meters | |
Description: This is only open during the winter months (November to March). The “cave” is more of a crevice since it has an opening at the top. Nevertheless, it is a semi closed, overhead type environment. We recommend primary dive lights for this site. The surrounding environment is also suitable for beginners or divers who are not comfortable entering the cavern. Maximum depth is about 15 meters. |
Sealife: Inside the cavern, there are lobster and other night dwellers such as boxer shrimp. A light is helpful to spot the small creatures such as nudibranch on the cavern walls. |
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Getting There
By train - Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Atami station via Kodama. From Shinjuku area, Odakyu line from Shinjuku, changing at Odawara to the Tokaido line. Pickup at Atami station and transfer to dive site is included with dive tour.
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