The Sea of Japan is arguably one of the most fascinating diving destinations in all of Russia. Its underwater world rivals many of the world’s most celebrated dive spots, even if it differs from them in its ruggedness and unforgiving character. Yet it remains one of our club’s favourite destinations — a place we return to year after year!
In August we headed back to dive the Sea of Japan at Vityaz Bay. And once again it was an unforgettable journey, full of vivid experiences.
The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the spotted seals! In these waters they show absolutely no fear of humans and will swim right up to you. Despite being quite plump, they are remarkably agile creatures — and the impression they leave is truly lasting. Especially when, in a burst of playfulness, one decides to nibble your fin.
Above the surface, they are no less impressive. Not far from the bay there is a rocky reef the seals have claimed as their haul-out spot. There they rest, bask in the sun, and doze lazily, peering at the surrounding scenery through eyes half-closed with contentment.
Getting close to them on land is another matter entirely. Out of the water, seals are far less confident in their invulnerability — the moment they sense any movement within uncomfortable range of the haul-out, they slip swiftly and nimbly back into the sea. But you can observe them from a boat at a respectful distance that is, in truth, not all that great. You can make out the seals in every detail of their land life and, of course, photograph them to your heart's content. Sometimes it even seems as though they are posing deliberately, striking the most curious positions for the camera.
Another equally memorable highlight was the octopuses. Strictly speaking, they are the true celebrity of the local underwater fauna. The Sea of Japan is home to the giant Pacific octopus — Enteroctopus dofleini — the largest octopus species in the world. Large individuals can reach several metres in arm span. Spotting them is no easy feat, however, as octopuses hide in dens and coaxing them out is an art in itself. Fortunately, our dive guides have mastered that art completely. As a result, we not only got to see the octopuses but had the chance to interact with them at remarkably close range.
Another essential part of any journey to Primorye is the seafood — or rather, the freshest ocean delicacies imaginable, harvested straight from the seabed with your own hands!
And as always, every diver was charmed by the wonderfully comical prickleback fish. These elongated fish with their quirky faces are a local endemic, found only in these waters. They typically hide among rocks or in crevices the way moray eels do, with just their heads poking out. They are not easy to find, but the local guides know of one spot where pricklebacks are genuinely abundant — practically around every corner. So you can not only spot these remarkable creatures but study them in every delightful detail.
The Sea of Japan is, of course, a very different world from the Red Sea or any tropical ocean. At first glance, the underwater landscape might even seem sparse. But that is only first impression. Look a little closer and you discover a wealth of extraordinary marine life — sea stars, molluscs, crustaceans of every kind. A variety of fish species inhabit these waters, and the underwater scenery itself is striking in its raw power and rugged grandeur.
Want to see all of this for yourself? Join one of our diving expeditions. You can view the current schedule here.
