Diving
There are over 50 dive sites around Hachijō Island and neighbouring Hachijō Kojima.
Arabesque offers both shore diving and boat diving as ways of discovering the island’s underwater world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LBZ79d1kJ0&list=PLa2IcuBEFbus47POcPuHUlfvdgREz_u8W&index=2
SHORE DIVING
Hachijō has numerous shore diving options which, because of the island’s small size, are all less than 15 minutes away from the Arabesque dive center.
We usually plan for two dives in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Schedule is relaxed and flexible, depending on flight arrivals, as many of our guests like to dive right after arriving on the island by the first flight.
In this case, after getting picked-up at the airport, we take you to the Arabesque dive center to fill-in remaining paperwork, introduce you to our facilities, get equipment, weights and cameras sorted and enjoy a cup of barley tea or coffee.
Once this is done, we head towards the first dive site in one of our cars, bringing diving equipement, drinks and towels, defog, rinsing water, spare and emergency kits (O2 kit, first aid and an AED).
This depends on plans and conditions, but we usually come back to the dive center for the surface interval between the morning dives.
After the 2 morning dives, we usually have lunch at the dive center (easiest way is to buy a set lunch / bentō at a local supermarket – we can take you there free of charge if you do not have transportation).
After lunch, we will head for our third and last dive of the day, returning to the dive center to wash equipment and have a shower.
This depends on plans and conditions, but the first dive is usually around 9 or 10 am, and the last dive is usually back around 3 or 4pm, leaving you plenty of time for sight-seeing or a dip in the hot-springs.
Early-morning dives (to Nazumado) and sunset/night dives options are also available, depending on schedule and conditions.
We set-up the equipment directly at the dive site and have mesh-bags available for packing up your gear if you do not have your own.
Note On Hachijō’s Shore Diving Entry/Exit Procedures
Please note that Hachijō island’s shore diving entries and exits are a somewhat special, and can be quite challenging under certain conditions.
Most shore entries and exits are done from former boating ramps, and require walking backwards with equipment and fins on, while holding on to a rope. There is often a little surge, and it can get quite slippery…
Furthermore, somes sites such as Sokodo involve a 100m /330ft walk from the parking lot to the entry point, while wearing one’s equipment. Fins are put on before descending a small flight of stairs.
We will soon have a video up presenting the techniques used, and what to expect.
BOAT DIVING
Boat diving is done by chartering Hachijō’s only dedicated diving boat, which is a simple reconverted fishing-vessel, with marine toilets on board.
Boat diving sites are usually less then 30 minutes away from the departure harbour, many sites being less then 10 minutes away.
We usually do 2 boat dives in the morning, starting around 9 or 10 am.
Depending on sea conditions, location and/or schedule, we either come back to the harbour for the surface interval in between dives, or stay on the boat in certain cases.
Certain trips, to neighbouring Hachijō Kojima, can have a different schedule, sometimes with 3 dives organised from the boat.
The boat is simple, but does the trick for such small distances, and is quite stable.
It has a platform at the back for entries, which are primarily giant stride (it’s possible to back-roll, but the drop is over 1m) and exits. There is a tank rack in the middle, and we usually setup at the harbour, before loading the equipment onboard.
Please note that boat diving can be the only safe option to go diving when conditions are too rough for shore dives.
ARABESQUE DIVING FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG6MJF8bjdM?cc_load_policy=1
AMENITIES
After diving, guests can wash their equipment in individual buckets, and we have a large freshwater rinse-tanks for cameras and electronics.
In our washing/drying area, we have dedicated wetsuit hangers, equipement hangers and clothes hangers, as well as a a spin dryer for wet swimsuits.
We also have some camera-friendly amenities such as rubber mats for your camera setup.
Basic diving and camera accessories are also for sale.
The dive center has 3 hotwater indoor showers rooms, all with body soap, shampoo and conditioner.
We provide a towel per person per day, and you can borrow boat coats, gyosan sandals and meshbags for use during your stay with us.
We have plenty of fish-ID books at the dive center, but theyr’re only in Japanese language for the moment.
Barley tea, coffee and water are also provided free of charge.
EQUIPMENT
We have full-set (regulators, BCD, mask, dive computer and open-heel fins + booties) and individual rental gear options. A dive computer is included in the full rental set.
We have a selection of 500g to 2 kg weights, including ankle weights, belts and weight harnesses at your disposal.
All our tanks (cylinders) are steel 10L or 12L with yoke (INT) connections (bring an adapter if using a DIN regulator) and we offer free 31% nitrox for EANX certified divers.
EXPOSURE SUITS
5mm long wet suits are available (male and female models by Aqualung, World Dive, Gull or Moby depending on size).
We also have a couple of rental dry-suits, but mostly in small sizes, so please inquire in advance.
If bringing your own suite, please see the chart below for exposure suit recommendations per season.
Average Hachijō Temperatures
PRACTICAL INFO
Number of dives: 2 morning dives, 1 afternoon dive (early morning dives and sunset/night dives possible, with extra charge, if schedule and conditions allow)
Dive time: may vary, but boat dives are generally max 45-50 minutes including safety-stop or 50 bar (which ever comes fist)
Divers per guide: 6 maximum (unless diving a group) – we do our best to create groups of even diver levels.
See chart below for diver level equivalences per agency.
Equivalent Diver Certification Levels Per Training Agency
DIVING PRICES
Shore Diving
3 Shore Dives
¥
18,800
2 Shore Dives
¥
13,500
1 Shore Dive
¥
8,800
Boat Diving
2 Boat Dives
¥
18,800
Extra Dive (Shore-Only)
¥
5,300
Early Morning / Night Dive
Extra charge
¥
1,500
Want to dive more?
Extra Dive
¥
5,300
A little rusty? Refresh your diving skills and knowledge with an instructor
Scuba Refresher
¥
5,300
- Review basic skills
- Review key safety aspects
Equipment Rental (per day)
Full Equipment
¥
8,000
- Mask, snorkel, fins, booties
- BCD, regulator
- Wetsuit
- Dive computer
Snorkeling Set
¥
1,500
- Mask, snorkel, fins, booties
Wetsuit
¥
2,000
Drysuit
¥
4,500
BCD
¥
2,600
Regulator
¥
2,600
Dive Computer
¥
1,000
Underwater Camera
¥
1,000
Other
¥
500 each
- (Hood, dive-light, etc)
Lunch
Bento Box
¥
800