Inatori Marinesports Centre

Izu Peninsula, Japan

The team at Inatori Marinesports Centre really impressed us. They’re a PADI 5 Star IDC Resort, which means serious about their training, but it’s the warmth and genuine enthusiasm that makes them stand out. We love how smoothly everything runs, from gear prep to dive briefings; it feels like diving with old friends who just happen to be incredibly professional. We’d suggest them particularly for divers looking to advance their skills, or anyone who appreciates a well-organised, friendly operation. Inatori itself offers a distinctly Japanese dive experience. Down on the rocky shore, the volcanic topography continues underwater. You’ll often find us drifting along walls draped in soft corals, keeping an eye out for nudibranchs – this area is brilliant for them. We’ve had some cracking dives exploring the little caves and swim-throughs, sunlight filtering down in hazy shafts. The visibility can be quite variable, especially after heavy rain, but on a good day, it stretches to 20 metres and the water takes on that deep, clear Pacific blue. Our favourite time to dive here is early morning; the light is softer, and the currents tend to be calmer, making for a much more relaxed dive.