Mikomoto island

Mikomoto Island is an advanced dive site off the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula in central Japan, legendary among Japanese divers as one of the country's premier hammerhead shark encounter sites. During summer months (June to October), large schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks gather in the nutrient-rich currents surrounding this small volcanic island, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. The underwater terrain features dramatic rock formations plunging to 35 meters, with strong currents that bring cold, nutrient-rich water from the depths. Beyond hammerheads, the site hosts large schools of Japanese jack mackerel, yellowtail amberjack, and occasional visits from whale sharks and ocean sunfish. The reef walls are decorated with soft corals and giant sponges. Mikomoto's challenging conditions — strong currents, limited visibility, and depth — demand experienced divers, but the reward of swimming among schooling hammerheads is one of Japan's most thrilling underwater experiences.