Exciting Ocean Changes as the Kuroshio Current Approaches! Golden Week Fun Diving in Sue
Strong west winds closed the Kushimoto area today, so we headed to the sheltered waters of Sue for a fun diving trip.
With the end of the Kuroshio Current’s large meander, water temperatures are gradually returning to their usual seasonal pattern. T
oday, temperatures below 15m dropped into the 16°C range.
At the moment, we highly recommend diving in a dry suit.
Meanwhile, Kushimoto itself was still around 20°C. When the Kuroshio Current gets closer to the area, water temperatures can change significantly between the west and east sides of Cape Shionomisaki.
This is actually the “normal” condition for the area, and it should make the underwater environment in Kushimoto, Sue, and Koza even more interesting over the coming weeks as marine life changes with the water conditions.
Speaking of Sue, one species you cannot miss is ミジンベニハゼ（Lubricogobius exiguus）.
Today’s individual was a little shy and would not fully leave its bottle home, but it kept peeking out the whole time and made a perfect photo subject.
Another famous subject in the Sue area is the “living in a bottle” series.
These subjects become beautifully atmospheric when illuminated with a dive light, making them very popular with underwater photographers.
Today we enjoyed a warm-colored version, and it was fun experimenting with different camera settings and lighting angles.
While moving through the shallow area, we also found a rare juvenile ミスジスズメダイyg（Dascyllus trimaculatus） for Sue.
In Kushimoto, this species is usually seen deeper, but today’s individual was hanging around only 15m deep.
Interestingly, the surrounding environment looked very similar to the habitats where we usually find them in Kushimoto.
Maybe habitat matters more than depth itself?
Marine life chooses environments where they can live comfortably. Once you start learning what kind of environment each species prefers, it becomes much easier to find them underwater.
The same applies to nudibranchs as well.
Here is another good example — a ツノモエビ属の1種 (Heptacarpus sp). Without knowing the habitat they prefer, it would be very easy to swim right past them.
Because of the wind and swell, today’s dive sites were still limited, but the ocean looks much calmer tomorrow.
Hopefully we can finally find オキノスジエビ（Astacus narual） tomorrow! If we do, we will definitely share photos on our blog and social media.
Golden Week is almost over with only two days remaining.
And right after Golden Week comes one of Kushimoto’s biggest annual diving events — the Kushimoto Diving Festival on May 16th and 17th!
Many major dive equipment manufacturers will bring demo gear, giving divers a rare chance to test equipment in actual ocean conditions.
We still have spots available, so if you could not dive during Golden Week, this is the perfect opportunity to join us.
Simply let us know that you would like to participate in the “Diving Festival” when making your reservation.
Feel free to contact us anytime.
See you tomorrow!
Today’s Conditions
- Weather: Sunny with occasional clouds
- Air Temperature: 20–23°C
- Water Temperature: 16.8°C (Kii-Ooshima Sue)
- Visibility: 8-10m (Kii-Oshima , Sue)
Recommended Exposure Protection
- Neoprene drysuit with thick inner layer
or - Shell drysuit with Wizzle or NORD undergarments
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Announcements
◾️Event Information
• Tide Pool Barred-chin blenny Photo Tour confirmed!
◾️Media
• We are one of the guide shops responsible for posting seasonal ocean updates from Kushimoto on “海旬”.
• Instagram is regularly updated!
• Our YouTube channel is now available!
• A video of Japanese Giant Salamander was featured by diving_partner on their platform.
