This dive site, located near the famous Miho no Matsubara beach in Japan, offers a unique shore diving experience. Divers enter from a gravel beach, encountering a gentle slope that gradually descends to a depth of 5 meters. Beyond this point, the topography dramatically shifts with a sharp drop-off, leading to a maximum depth of 18 meters, where the seabed flattens out into a sandy area. Navigation is straightforward, following the natural contours of the slope and drop-off.
The sandy areas are particularly renowned for their rich macro life, including an abundance of sea horses, frogfish, and various rare goby species. Seasonal visitors enhance the biodiversity; red snapper and rusty goby are observed engaging in spawning behavior during the winter months, while bluefinches visit for their spawning rituals in the summer. A salmon run also occurs in a nearby river, though not directly within the dive site.
The best time to visit Miho depends on specific interests: winter provides opportunities to witness the spawning of red snapper and rusty goby, while summer is ideal for observing bluefinch spawning. The site's gentle shallow section is suitable for snorkelers, and the varying depths make it excellent for freedivers. Divers should prepare for potential seasonal changes in water temperature and conditions, focusing on the incredible macro photography opportunities this site presents.
