KUSHIMOTO DIVING CENTER

Tucked away in Kushimoto, Wakayama, this PADI Resort dive center has a clear specialty: if you're hunting for sea slugs, they'll take the lead. The team spends much of their free time doing check dives, so you're in the hands of people who genuinely love being in the water — and it shows.

What you'll find here

Diving is guided by a single PADI Instructor, keeping things personal and attentive. The waters around Kushimoto turn up a remarkable spread of marine life, from ocean fish, eels and echinoderms to molluscs and crustaceans, corals, anemones and jellyfish, plus the occasional turtle, shark, ray or marine mammal.

On-site you'll find free Wi-Fi, parking and a dive boat, with air fills, nitrox and scuba equipment rental all available. It's a natural fit for macro lovers and anyone keen to slow down and study the small stuff. Japanese is the language spoken here, making it especially welcoming for local divers exploring their home waters.