Saturday was IOP, east Izu
Conditions were perfect, nice and sunny and not a ripple on the water. Viz was OK, maybe 6 meters or so. Being the weekend, the site was predictably busy, but we got there early and got in our first dive at the opening bell (8:40) so we were basically alone in the water. Summer hours, diving ends at 5:30.
One of my favorite sites for the topography, I was a little disappointed with the viz, but my goal was to practice buoyancy and trim
During the summer, there is a series of small saltwater swimming pools for kids (and adults) so my kids were well entertained. One pool even has a waterfall/slide.
Besides my 2 hours of bottom time, I got like 4 hours of pool time being the daddy boat as my boys called me, in my 6.5mm suit with them on my back
Sunday, Futo
This was my first time to Futo, in Ito, just north of IOP. Before getting into the water, I was a bit apprehensive looking at the large number if divers gearing up and marching to the entry zone. However, once in the water, I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of divers once I ventured 5 minutes from the entry, especially in the kelp.
The site is quite large and easily navigable, thanks to the horseshoe-shaped sandy area that is bordered by kelp rich with anemone and fish. Most divers seemed to keep to the border of the kelp/sand, since that is the easiest way to navigate. With a compass and rudimentary skills, you can follow a heading out into the kelp and be all alone with your buddy.
This is a nice site, lots of life, really dense. The kelp areas were absolutely packed with fish and invertebrates, even a load of lobsters. It is not very deep, I think 36 foot max in the kelp, maybe 50 foot or so in the sandy areas. I definitely plan on going back.
Conditions were perfect, nice and sunny and not a ripple on the water. Viz was OK, maybe 6 meters or so. Being the weekend, the site was predictably busy, but we got there early and got in our first dive at the opening bell (8:40) so we were basically alone in the water. Summer hours, diving ends at 5:30.
One of my favorite sites for the topography, I was a little disappointed with the viz, but my goal was to practice buoyancy and trim
During the summer, there is a series of small saltwater swimming pools for kids (and adults) so my kids were well entertained. One pool even has a waterfall/slide.
Besides my 2 hours of bottom time, I got like 4 hours of pool time being the daddy boat as my boys called me, in my 6.5mm suit with them on my back
Sunday, Futo
This was my first time to Futo, in Ito, just north of IOP. Before getting into the water, I was a bit apprehensive looking at the large number if divers gearing up and marching to the entry zone. However, once in the water, I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of divers once I ventured 5 minutes from the entry, especially in the kelp.
The site is quite large and easily navigable, thanks to the horseshoe-shaped sandy area that is bordered by kelp rich with anemone and fish. Most divers seemed to keep to the border of the kelp/sand, since that is the easiest way to navigate. With a compass and rudimentary skills, you can follow a heading out into the kelp and be all alone with your buddy.
This is a nice site, lots of life, really dense. The kelp areas were absolutely packed with fish and invertebrates, even a load of lobsters. It is not very deep, I think 36 foot max in the kelp, maybe 50 foot or so in the sandy areas. I definitely plan on going back.
