Papalagi Diving School Tachikawa

Izu Peninsula, Japan

The team at Papalagi Diving School Tachikawa are the kind of people you want to spend a weekend with. We love their relaxed approach to Japanese diving, especially given the Izu Peninsula can feel a bit formal at times. They really excel at getting divers out to some of Izu’s less-frequented shore dives, and we often find ourselves recommending them for those looking to avoid the bigger boat operations. If you’re keen on exploring the colder waters of Honshu, this is a solid pick. They run regular trips to sites like Futo and Izu Ocean Park, where the volcanic rock formations create dramatic swim-throughs and pockets of colour. Look for the large red sea whips swaying in the surge, and keep an eye out for nudibranchs – Izu is a haven for them. Visibility can swing dramatically with the seasons, but even on a 10-metre day, the density of schooling fish, particularly the silvery mackerel and horse mackerel, can be impressive. We’d suggest going during the shoulder seasons, late spring or early autumn, for a good balance of conditions and fewer crowds. They’re PADI 5 Star, so all the usual courses are on offer, but it’s their guided fun dives that really shine.

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