Macro Photography and Beach Diving in Kushimoto!
The weather in Kushimoto turned out to be sunny today, despite the forecast!
Clouds gradually increased in the afternoon, but the air temperature was warm enough to enjoy comfortable diving in a wetsuit.
Underwater visibility improved dramatically from yesterday, reaching 15–20 meters! The water temperature was also around 25.5–25.6°C!
Today, we divided into two teams again: a beach-start team and a macro photography team.
I was guiding the macro photography team, and it was so much fun to spend some quality time looking for tiny marine life and taking photos! 🙂
Searching for Trapania naeva in Kushimoto!
On our first dive, we went looking for Trapania neava, which we've been seeing quite a lot this year!
We found several individuals, including both large and small ones!
One was still on its food source, while another had already started moving away...
These types of nudibranchs don't tend to stay in the same place for very long. (TT)
I really hope the other one sticks around for a while!
A Tiny 1 mm Verconia nivalis!
Whenever I'm guiding macro photography dives, I seem to notice more and more nudibranchs everywhere!
Today, I managed to find a tiny Verconia nivalis, measuring just 1 mm!
At that size, it almost looks like a tiny dot!
I'm training my eyes for our upcoming Nudibranch Safari! Haha! 🙂
An Incredible Encounter with Jorunna parva!
During our second dive, we came across a truly shocking nudibranch.
It was ゴマフビロードウミウシ (Scientific name is currently being confirmed.).
What was so surprising about it? Take a look at the photo!
Can you see it?!
Almost the entire middle section of its body was missing!
When I first spotted it, I actually thought there were two nudibranchs!
I know that some species of nudibranchs have the ability to detach parts of their bodies, but I wonder if Jorunna parva can do the same?
It was such an unusual sight!
Purple firegoby and a Juvenile Carpenter's flasher wrasse!
On our final boat dive, we visited the spot where the much-talked-about Purple firegoby has been seen.
As usual, it was incredibly cooperative in front of the camera!
Even with divers using large underwater cameras nearby, it showed almost no signs of being nervous.
It's so relaxed that I actually worry another fish might eat it... Haha!
Right next to it, we found a juvenile fish with beautiful eye markings, similar to Sharp-eye pygmy goby.
Apparently, it was a juvenile!
It was my first time seeing one! So exciting! 🙂
So Much Amazing Macro Marine Life in Kushimoto!
There is so much more incredible macro marine life to see right now!
If I tried to introduce everything we found today, this blog would turn into a full-length novel! Haha!
So I'll stop here for today.
With so many southern species and rare marine creatures appearing around Kushimoto, I have a feeling we'll discover even more exciting things this year!
The water temperature is still around 25.5–25.6°C, so diving in a wetsuit is comfortable underwater!
If you love macro photography, nudibranchs, or discovering unusual marine life, come and enjoy the amazing underwater world of Kushimoto with us!
We look forward to hearing from you about fun diving in Kushimoto!
See you next time! 🙂
Temporary Closure Notice: November 2026 – March 2027
We will be temporarily closed on selected dates between November 2026 and March 2027 due to diving tours and our New Year holiday closure.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Please check the following link for details.
Today's Diving Conditions
Weather: Sunny
Air Temperature: 22–25°C
Water Temperature: 25.5–25.6°C (Kushimoto / Boat Diving)
Visibility:15-20 m (Kushimoto / Boat Diving)
Recommended Exposure Protection
5 mm wetsuit (for ocean diving)
Announcements
◾️ Diving Tour
• Shiretoko Drift Ice Diving Tour 2027, Hokkaido | Join On-Site in Shiretoko
◾️ Event Information
• Drysuit Diving in Kushimoto | Free Drysuit Rental Campaign 2026
• Nudibranch Safari in Kushimoto | Seasonal Macro Diving Event
◾️ 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.
