Jogashima Diving Center

Izu Peninsula, Japan

The team at Jogashima Diving Center are your absolute go-to for serious diving on the Izu Peninsula. They're a big operation, PADI 5 Star IDC Resort no less, which means top-notch training is a given, but it's their commitment to exploring the local sites that really makes them shine. We love how they consistently find the best conditions, whether it's seeking out macro critters tucked into the rocky reefs or hitting a pelagic spot when the currents are just right. Our favourite dive with them often involves the deeper ledges where we’ve watched huge schools of barracuda spiral upwards and seen impressive Japanese angel sharks resting on the sandy bottom. Visibility here can fluctuate, sometimes a brilliant 25 metres, other days a moody 10, but the sheer volume of life always makes it worthwhile. For photographers, we’d suggest asking about their macro trips; they know exactly where to find the nudibranchs and frogfish that Izu is famous for. Expect solid boat dives with efficient surface intervals, and maybe a bit of a chill in the winter months – a good hood is always a wise move.