Top Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Locations in Hiroshima, Japan

1. Akajima Island

Small island with abundant marine life, offering snorkeling opportunities in clear waters.

Rich Marine Life: Home to a variety of colorful fish, sea turtles, and coral reefs.
Accessibility: Easily reachable by ferry from Hiroshima city.
Peaceful Atmosphere: Quiet and peaceful environment for a relaxing dive.

Remote island known for its large populations of sea turtles and manta rays.

Sea Turtle Encounters: High chance of encountering green sea turtles.
Remote Location: Requires a boat tour from Hiroshima city, offering a unique experience.
Manta Ray Sightings: Regular sightings of manta rays, especially during the summer months.

Shallow bay offering snorkeling opportunities with a diverse range of marine life.

Diverse Marine Life: Includes schools of fish, sea stars, and anemones.
Easy Access: Located just a short drive from Hiroshima city.
Beginner Friendly: Ideal for beginners due to its shallow waters and clear visibility.

Island featuring a large cape with dramatic cliffs and deep waters for diving.

Deep Water Dives: Offers deeper dive sites suitable for experienced divers.
Drama of the Cliffs: Scenic views of the dramatic cliffs provide a unique diving experience.
Marine Research Center: Home to the Seto Marine Research Center for learning about marine life.

Port area with various dive sites showcasing sunken ships and submarines.

Historical Dives: Opportunities to explore sunken warships and submarines.
Cultural Experience: Combines diving with a visit to the nearby Kure Maritime Museum.
Diverse Dive Sites: Various dive sites offering different experiences, such as wreck dives and reef dives.

Famous for its Itsukushima Shrine but also offers snorkeling opportunities.

Snorkeling with Deer: Unique opportunity to snorkel alongside wild deer on the island.
Scenic Views: Beautiful views of the iconic torii gate and Mount Misen.
Beginner Friendly: Shallow waters suitable for beginners and snorkeling tours are available.

Large bay offering various dive sites with a variety of marine life.

Variety of Marine Life: Includes octopus, seahorses, and nudibranchs.
Easy Access: Accessible from Hiroshima city by ferry or boat tour.
Dive Sites for All Levels: Offers dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, from beginners to experts.

Land bridge with snorkeling opportunities along the beautiful sandbanks.

Scenic Beauty: Offers a unique view of the 'Bridge to Heaven' landscape.
Unique Sandbanks: Snorkel along the beautiful sandbanks that appear and disappear with the tides.
Beginner Friendly: Ideal for beginners due to its shallow waters and clear visibility.

Island with a variety of dive sites offering opportunities for encounters with sea turtles.

Sea Turtle Encounters: High chance of encountering green sea turtles.
Remote Location: Requires a boat tour from Hiroshima city, offering a unique experience.
Marine Life Diversity: Includes various species of fish, sea stars, and anemones.

Cape with cliffs offering opportunities for deep-water dives.

Deep Water Dives: Offers deeper dive sites suitable for experienced divers.
Scenic Views: Beautiful views of the cliffs and the Seto Inland Sea.
Marine Research Center: Nearby Marine Life Education and Observation Center for learning about marine life.

Island known for its large populations of dolphins.

Dolphin Encounters: High chance of encountering bottlenose and Risso's dolphins.
Remote Location: Requires a boat tour from Hiroshima city, offering a unique experience.
Marine Life Diversity: Includes various species of fish, sea stars, and anemones.

Bay offering opportunities for both snorkeling and diving.

Variety of Marine Life: Includes octopus, seahorses, and nudibranchs.
Accessibility: Located just a short drive from Hiroshima city.
Dive Sites for All Levels: Offers dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, from beginners to experts.

Island offering opportunities for encounters with whale sharks.

Whale Shark Encounters: High chance of encountering whale sharks during the summer months.
Remote Location: Requires a ferry from Niigata city, offering a unique experience.
Marine Life Diversity: Includes various species of fish, sea stars, and anemones.

Island with a variety of dive sites offering opportunities for encounters with manta rays.

Manta Ray Sightings: Regular sightings of manta rays, especially during the summer months.
Remote Location: Requires a ferry from Takamatsu city, offering a unique experience.
Marine Life Diversity: Includes various species of fish, sea stars, and anemones.

Island known for its strong currents and opportunities for encounters with hammerhead sharks.

Hammerhead Shark Encounters: High chance of encountering hammerhead sharks.
Remote Location: Requires a ferry from Nagasaki city, offering a unique experience.
Strong Currents: Suitable for experienced divers who can handle strong currents.