PAPALAGI Diving School IZU

Tucked away in Shizuoka on Japan's Izu Peninsula, PAPALAGI Diving School IZU is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort where three PADI instructors guide divers through the waters of this quietly rewarding region. As one dive instructor put it, diving off the Izu Peninsula might not be as glamorous as the better-known sites of Okinawa, but a beautifully shot video by Masayuki Hyugaji shows there is still plenty of incredible marine life to be seen here.

Courses and what to expect

The centre runs PADI Scuba Diving and PADI Snorkelling programmes, along with PADI First Aid – EFR training, all supported by an onsite classroom. Equipment sales and scuba gear rental make it easy to get in the water, and the team is active in conservation and runs its own dive club.

On-site facilities include air conditioning, a retail shop, accommodation and parking, so you can settle in comfortably. Instruction and service are offered in Japanese, making this a natural home base for exploring Izu's underwater world.