This dive site, Aki no Hama (Autumn Beach), is a highly popular beach entry dive located on one of the Izu Islands, which is the largest and closest to mainland Japan. The island itself is home to Mihara, an active volcano. While boat diving is an option, the ease and variety of shore points, with Autumn Beach being the most favored, make beach diving the preferred method. There's no specific history or story provided for the dive site itself, but its popularity stems from its accessibility and diverse marine ecosystem.
Aki no Hama boasts exceptionally abundant aquatic life, making it a haven for macro photography enthusiasts. Divers can expect to encounter a wide variety of valuable macro subjects, including symbiotic gobies inhabiting sandy bottoms and numerous nudibranch species clinging to rocky formations. Additionally, during the summer months, it is relatively common to observe white tip sharks, adding an exciting dimension for big animal encounters.
The best time to visit Aki no Hama to potentially see white tip sharks is during the summer. This site is suitable for divers of all levels due to its accessible beach entry and average depth of 11 meters. Freedivers will also find the site appealing given its clear waters and maximum depth of 22 meters, offering opportunities for breath-hold exploration of the diverse marine environment.
