All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of squid
-Variety of Sea Horse
-Variety of gobbies
-Variety of Macro marine life
-Variety of Frogfish
-Very rare Discordipinna griessingeri
About Kochi
Diving in Kochi Prefecture offers an incredible opportunity to explore the rich marine life and stunning underwater landscapes along the south coast of Shikoku island.
Kochi's coastal waters are renowned for their biodiversity, with a variety of dive sites catering to divers of all skill levels. One of the most famous diving spots is within the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park, located in the southwestern part of the prefecture. Here, divers can immerse themselves in pristine reefs teeming with colorful corals, tropical fish, and other fascinating marine creatures. The park's clear waters and gentle currents provide ideal conditions for underwater photography and marine observation.
Another highlight for divers in Kochi is the Muroto-Anan Kaigan, a Quasi-National Park known for its rugged coastline and diverse marine ecosystem. Diving here offers the chance to encounter unique species such as frogfish, seahorses, and octopuses, as well as explore underwater caves and rock formations. The park's protected status ensures that its marine resources remain preserved for future generations to enjoy.
In addition to these national parks, Kochi Prefecture is home to numerous other dive sites scattered along its picturesque coastline. From shallow coral gardens to deep sea trenches, divers can explore a range of underwater habitats while taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.
Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner looking to explore Japan's underwater world, Kochi Prefecture offers an unforgettable diving experience amidst its natural beauty and rich marine biodiversity.
Local Areas
Kochi Area Map
Areas in Kochi
Otsuki Kashiwajima
Japan's Macro heaven
The Otsuki/Kashiwajima area still has many untouched nature areas and protected by the national park. This small Island 4km Island is connected to the main Island by 2 small bridges .
Due to the unique location between the Black current and the Bugo channel, Kashiwajima is an ideal place for the underwater creatures. Many Japanese divers from all around Japan come here to dive with the rare critters. The fact that there are over 10 diving service on this 4km Island , shows this diving areas potential. It is said that you can see 1,000types of fishes and underwater critters in this area.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.769702,132.623476
Kochi-Otsuki Kashiwajima
What you can see
Uguru Island Okinoshima
At the South West tip of Shikoku
Located 23km off the coast of Shukumo, Kochi prefecture, the 6km Island itself is a National Park. The Island is surrounded by beautiful corals which are protected by the local government.
The Black current brings in the tropical life from the south adn amoung them are the rare critters.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.801271,132.489795
Kochi-Uguru Island Okinoshima
What you can see
All year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life
-Yellowsail Red Bass(Callanthias japonicus)
*Seen at depth of 40-50m:NormalHabitat 70m-200m
-School of Scalefin anthia(Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
-School of Chicken grunt(Parapristipoma trilineatum)
-School of Yellowstriped butterfish(Labracoglossa argentiventris)
-School of Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor)
Tatsukushi Ashizuri
Dive where the Black current directly arrives first in Japan
This area is a popular Onsen area where it's fame started 1200 years ago. The Ocean around this region, "Tatsukushi underwater National Park" was designated as the first Japanese Underwater National Park.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.78538,132.863996
Kochi-Tatsukushi Ashizuri
What you can see
All Year round:
-Variety of nudibranch
-Variety of Shrimps and Crabs
-Variety of Macro marine life
During the Autumn season:
-Giant school of Rainbow runner(Elagatis bipinnulata)
Issai
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.7856874,132.645192
Kochi-Issai
What you can see
Located near the famous Kashiwajima area, Issai offers the same satisfaction to the visiting divers. Issai Island with dynamic drop offs and arch, some spots offering shallow, coral filled reefs. All diving points are with in 3-10min. Many types of gobies and nudibranch seen here are popular.
Amaji
Located 10min away by boat from the Kashiwajima area, Amaji is a small quiet fishing village. You can entry from the pier in front of the diving service. Here you can see the ocean floor filled with beautiful corals. All diving area is within 5-15min.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.801164,132.654752
Kochi-Amaji
Tachibanaura
With over 50 diving spots from all around this area, Tachibanaura can satisfy all kinds of divers. From Macro creatures to the large schooling fishes, the ocean is filled with marine life.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.827745,132.659805
Kochi-Tachibanaura
Kashinishi Beach
Located on the Pacific side, Kashinishi has many dynamic underwater rock formations giving it an ideal location for large schooling fishes. Macro marine life is also abundant with many variety of nudibranch found in this area.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.786409,132.721995
Kochi-Kashinishi Beach
Okitsu
A boat diving point located on the Pacific side of Kochi, Okitsu uses 2 ports depending of the wind conditions. This make it a reliable diving location with less chance of cancellation due to wind. Underwater, it offers both macro and large schooling fishes.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.165792,133.215365
Kochi-Okitsu
Shiwa
Shiwa is located very close to the highway interchange(Exit), making it an easy access to diving by car. The boat diving are dynamic and beach diving more relaxed. You can enjoy night diving at the beach as well.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.230467,133.250878
Kochi-Shiwa
Muroto
Muroto is famous as a International Geopark since 2011. The location is unique as it is the southern tip of Shikoku, where the Black current collide directly. From this reason, the water here has high visibility and many large size schooling fishes are found at this location. There are over 30, 3m2 underwater artificial fish reef here, giving protections to smaller fishes.
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.267542,134.162915
Kochi-Muroto
Kannoura
Having a large reef with depth range from 3m to 28m, Kannoura offers divers with variety of marine critures. The most rare and popular is the Whitespotted bambooshark(Chiloscyllium plagiosum) which is said that, this is the only place in Japan you may encounter them spawn.(Between May through to July).
How to get there/ Where you can stay
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=33.544864,134.302379
Kochi-Kannoura
Average Water Temperatures
