Reefwander

Izu Ōshima · Japan · Reef · Channel & pass

Keikai

Lava channels beneath a seasonal sunrise hammerhead route

Keikai is an Izu Oshima shore dive through a maze of lava channels, reaching 20 m. Soft corals cover the channel walls, and sunrise dives from mid-June to mid-October bring schools of hammerhead sharks; green turtles also appear here.

Also known as ケイカイ, Keikai Beach.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Keikai: typical dive to 20 m (to 66 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit20 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

No published position for this site — the map shows Izu Ōshima and its other sites; operators know the mooring.

The dive

From the beach, the dive follows interlocking channels cut through the lava terrain. Their walls carry soft corals, with nudibranchs, seahorses and blennies among the smaller animals to look for. Green turtles share the site, alongside seasonal hammerhead schools at sunrise.

Marine life and season

  • Hammerheads
  • Sea turtles
  • Nudibranchs
  • Macro critters
Month-by-month season rating for Keikai
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodGood

Season follows Izu Ōshima: Hammerhead schools pass at sunrise from mid-June to mid-October.

Dive videos

Diving with Hammerhead Sharks on Oshima Island · gksurf on YouTube

Questions divers ask

When do hammerhead schools pass Keikai?+

Hammerhead schools pass at sunrise from mid-June to mid-October. Green turtles are also seen at the site.

Sources

  1. Izu Oshima fun-diving points — Yellow Dive
  2. Izu Oshima diving-point guide — Sea Sound

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to 30 mintermediate

A lava arch with soft corals hanging from its ceiling

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