Our Safety Guidelines for Diving in Mikomoto

The Mikomoto Diver Conference (local dive operators) has established mandatory prerequisites for all divers to ensure safety.
Based on our experience, we also set our own safety standards based on these rules.

1. Experience & Certification

• Certification:
  – Advanced Open Water Diver level or higher (maximum allowed depth: 30m)
• Experience:
  – Minimum of 100 logged dives is required.
• Recency:
  – You must have logged a dive within the last 6 months.

*Please present your certification card and dive logbook upon check-in.
At Kaiyusha, we do not accept the history screen on a dive computer as your proof of dive logging.
We recommend using a paper logbook or digital logging app.

2. Age Requirements

Guests aged 60 and over: We regret that we cannot accept the new bookings from international divers aged 60 or older due to the strenuous physical demands of our diving style.

3. Diving Rules & Required Skills

• Group Size:
  – Maximum of 6 divers per 1 dive guide.
• Depth Limit:
  – Maximum depth is 30m. Decompression diving is strictly prohibited.
• Dive Duration:
  – Maximum dive time is 40 minutes (including safety stops).
• Air Management:
  – Begin your ascent and notify your guide when your tank pressure reaches 70 BAR (1000 PSI).
• Solo Diving:
  – Strictly forbidden. Always stay with your buddy and the group.
• Equipment Setup:
  – Set up and operate your own diving equipment independently and check for any malfunctions.
• Descent & Weighting:
  – Able to adjust own weights and descend without issues.
• Buoyancy & Compliance:
  – Follow guide instructions, maintain neutral buoyancy and the same depth.
• Safety Stop & Ascent:
  – perform a safety stop for 3 minutes at 5 meters on every dive, followed by a slow ascent.
• Monitor Your Guide & Group:
  – Keep your guide in sight at all times. Do not let photography lead to separation from the group.

【Attention】
For safety reasons, adherence to the above rules and guide instructions is very important. The guide reserves the right to terminate a dive midway if safety protocols are violated or if a diver is deemed to lack the necessary skills for the prevailing conditions.

4. Required Equipment

Every diver must carry their own:

• Dive Computer (Mandatory)
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) (Mandatory)
• Dive Gear Bag (Mesh Bag) (Mandatory)
• Underwater Signaling Device:
  – Tank Banger (Tank Knocker),Diving Bell,Underwater Shaker and so forth
• DIN to Yoke adapter:
  – Our tanks use standard Yoke (INT) valves; please note that DIN valves are not provided. DIN-to-Yoke adapters have limited availability in-store, so please bring your own if possible.
• Personal Gear:
  – We highly recommend using your own equipment to ensure a perfect fit and familiarity, which are key to a safe and comfortable dive.
• Rental Gear:
  – If you require rental equipment, please ensure it fits correctly and is in good condition by trying it on or inspecting it prior to your dive. It is essential to familiarize yourself with its specific operation before entering the water.

*Rental gear is available. Please inform us in advance if you need to rent equipment.

5. Pre-Dive Health & Physical Condition

Diving in Mikomoto takes place in a unique underwater environment where your physical condition directly impacts safety. Please pay close attention to the following:

• Maintain Peak Physical Condition:
  – Ensure you get adequate sleep and are well-rested before your dives.
  – Consume alcohol in moderation and strictly avoid diving with a hangover.
• Hydration:
  – Please drink plenty of water to stay in good condition and reduce the risk of decompression sickness.
• Equalization:
  – Ensure you have no nasal congestion that could interfere with ear equalization. Please do not dive if you cannot equalize easily.

*If you feel unwell or notice any physical discomfort on the day of your dive, please prioritize safety and consider canceling your reservation.

6. Language Policy

For safety reasons, all divers must be able to communicate fluently in either Japanese or English without the use of translation devices.

Important Notes & Reservation Policies

Travel Recommendations:
To ensure you have the best possible diving experience at Mikomoto Island, we highly recommend arriving in Minami-Izu or Shimoda the day before your scheduled dive. Whether you travel by train or car, the journey takes considerable time.
Please plan your trip with plenty of time to spare rather than a tight schedule. Arriving early allows you to rest and be fully prepared for the challenging conditions at Mikomoto Island.

1. Reservation Process

• Booking Deadline:
  – Please make your reservation at least 5 days prior to your desired date.
• Email Confirmation:
  – After signing up, you will receive an automatic reply. Note: This does not confirm your reservation. Our staff will contact you later with booking details.
• Troubleshooting:
  – If you do not receive an automatic reply within 3 days, please check your spam/junk folder and contact us to verify.
• Email Address:
  – Please double-check your email address to avoid any communication errors.

2. Health & Insurance

• Required Documents:
  – We will check your Certification Card and Dive Insurance on the first day.
• Recommended Insurance:
  – We strongly recommend purchasing Travel and Dive Insurance that covers trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, and medical costs.

3. Equipment & Preparation

• Tank (cylinder) Specifications:
  – Material: Steel ONLY (Note: Aluminum tanks are not available)
  – Capacity: Standard 10L (12L or 14L available upon request)
  – Valves: INT (Yoke) valves as standard.
  – Adapters: Limited DIN-to-Yoke adapters available. We recommend bringing your own to ensure compatibility.
  – Enriched Air (Nitrox): NOT available.
• Water Temperature & Exposure Suits:
  The waters around Mikomoto Island are dynamically influenced by the Kuroshio Current, creating a unique environment where warm and cold waters meet. Temperatures typically range between 16°C (60°F) and 29°C (84°F), with frequent thermoclines where temperatures can drop suddenly.
  – June – October: A 5mm or 7mm wetsuit is recommended. We also suggest a hooded vest to stay comfortable when encountering cooler thermoclines.
  – November – May: A 7mm wetsuit or dry suit with appropriate thermal underwear is highly recommended due to lower water temperatures.
• Rental Gear:
  – Availability is limited. Please ensure you request and confirm rentals in advance.
• Paperwork:
  – Once your booking is confirmed, all registration pages and paperwork must be completed prior to departure.

4. Cancellation & Payments

• Bad Weather Policy:
  – If diving in Mikomoto is canceled due to bad weather, we will offer a reschedule. In this case, no diving or Cancellation fees will be charged, and your deposit will be refunded.

Please note: We are not responsible for any personal travel costs, such as flight, train, or hotel cancellation fees. These are the sole responsibility of the guest.

• Guest Cancellations:
  – If you need to cancel or change your reservation, contact us immediately. “Cancellation Fees” apply if canceled within the indicated period.
• Payment:
  – Please review our “the payment methods” in advance.

Time Schedule

** Surface Interval: Between dives, we will remain on the boat around Mikomoto Island instead of returning to the pier.
* Safety: We require a surface interval of at least one hour between dives for your safety.
* Pick-up Service: Complimentary pick-up and drop-off services are available to/from your hotel or Izukyu-Shimoda Station upon request.
* Lunch: Please bring your own lunch.
* Schedule: The schedule is subject to change without notice depending on weather conditions and the number of participants.We recommend a surface interval time of at least one hour between dives.

I have read the above terms.
Check the box if you understand and agree to all of the above to proceed.

Kaiyusha Online Reservation Form

Kaiyusha Online Reservation form