Chiba Peninsula in Japan is home to numerous varieties of shark. Banded Houndsharks, seen in the video of our last post, are the most numerous in the location where we are diving. We have seen hundreds on most of our dives. Big Fish Expeditions has organized this trip and the local dive company we are diving with is Ito Diving Service Bommie (known as Bommies) and is owned by Kan Shiota. Kan has been indispensable assisting us on every dive. Here Kan is giving the dive briefing along with Kenji Ichimura. Kenji has been part of our group from the beginning and has acted as chauffeur, dive guide, and most important, our interpreter. Meals and menus would have been a challenge without him so thanks Kenji!
The dive boat behind us (photo below) is just a short 5-minute ride to the dive site. The gear gets packed up after the dive and is ready to go back to the shop. Amazing what you can store in these tiny pickup trucks!
Of course, the highlight of the trip is the Banded Houndsharks. There are literally hundreds of these beautiful sharks at this site. Although typically shy, they will come near you, if you stay in one place. Tricia, as you can see is making some new friends.
However, their generally shy and cautious nature can change in a moment when food is around. There can be a hundred in a feeding frenzy all jostling for position. It is a bit surreal to swim through them when this is going on but they are only interested in the food, not divers.
In amongst the Banded Houndsharks are curious & often pushy Red Stingrays who we felt a number of times brushing against our heads. It is interesting to see the vibrant yellow markings on the underside of their body. As Larry swims off to locate some more sharks I captured this picture.
OUT THE DOOR TO EXPLORE 