OWD Course & Beach Fun Diving in Kushimoto! Coral Watching and a First Boat Dive

2026/09/23

OWD Course and Beach Fun Diving in Kushimoto

After the typhoon passed, we had beautiful sunny weather here in Kushimoto. The sea was finally calm again, giving us perfect conditions for diving.

Today, we split into two teams: a beach fun diving team and an OWD course team continuing from yesterday.

Let’s start with the beach fun diving team.

The theme for today’s beach dives was coral watching.

Our guest had read our blog about our coral conservation activities and became interested in seeing the corals here in Kushimoto.

We visited a beautiful coral area that has been protected by local divers.

The corals seem to be gradually recovering from the damage caused by the high water temperatures during the summer. Their colors are starting to return.

Table corals seen while beach diving in Kushimoto

The branching corals are looking healthy too♪

Acropora muricata, a branching coral that declined significantly due to low water temperatures several years ago.

These corals have also been gradually recovering over the years!

This was actually our first time diving at this particular beach. The branching corals here are really impressive!

I’d love to come back when the visibility is better～～.

Between checking out the corals, we also spent time looking for various marine life.
One of the great things about beach diving here is the shallow depth. You can take your time and enjoy the dive without worrying too much about air consumption or NDL (^^)

Lesson's thicklip observed at a beach dive site in Kushimoto

Here is the young Lesson's thicklip that we have been watching for quite a while. It has grown to around 10 cm and is much easier to spot now♪

The adults are a species found in warmer waters, but we have been seeing them quite often this year.

We’ve been watching this individual for a while, so it’s great to see how much it has grown♪

After swimming a little farther, we discovered an entire little village of sea sponge crab!

At a quick glance, we could see five or six of them!!! There may be even more if we take the time to search carefully!!!
Now we have another interesting spot to show our guests during beach dives～～♪

Just before exiting the water, we spotted a nudibranch moving along at a depth of around 1 m.

Its body was pale pink, while the colors around the edges and rhinophores looked like Verconia nivalis.

Could it be another species??? I need some time to look into it (><)

Nudibranch observed during beach diving in Kushimoto

And that was our two beach dives for today～～.
We usually do a lot of boat diving, so spending the whole day fun diving from the beach felt fresh and different!

On many weekdays in the second half of October, we can also accept requests for beach fun diving.

If you would like to observe corals or simply enjoy some slow and relaxed diving, beach diving is a great option～～.

Learn More About Fun Diving in Kushimoto

Day 2 of the OWD Course! First Fun Dive

Sayo’s team was on Day 2 of their OWD course!
Just like yesterday, everyone smoothly completed their skills, and during the mini dive, they did a great job controlling their buoyancy!
Due to time constraints, two of the divers couldn’t join the final boat dive, so that’s something to look forward to next time♪
One diver joined us for a one-on-one boat dive!

We found a Harlequin shrimp sitting in a perfect position as if it were saying, “Look at me!” It was very easy to see.
We also enjoyed Stripy butterflyfish, many other fish, and nudibranchs!

And today, three new divers completed their OWD course with us ＼(^^)／
We hope they continue diving and enjoy many more underwater adventures!
★☆Congratulations☆★