Sokodo

Sokodo Bay is a shallow, protected artificial bay on the east side of Hachijō Island, Japan, located next to the main harbour. The bay was created artificially a few years back, and hard coral — primarily table coral with some soft coral — subsequently colonised the shallow floor, making this an unintentional but successful reef habitat. A notable feature is a triple arch of volcanic rock with canyons and overhangs that reach up to the surface.

The reef sits at an average depth of 3 metres, while the right-hand side of the bay deepens to a maximum of 18 metres, mixing sandy areas, volcanic topography, and coral-encrusted concrete tetrapods and blocks. As a protected bay the site suits beginners, though currents can run strong in areas leading out of the bay, and swell and surge occur on certain days.

Marine life centres on a healthy resident population of green turtles that feed on the reef. The mucky section near the jetty and stairs, along with the concrete structures near the arch, produces good macro, including nudibranchs, bubble-snails, shrimps, and the occasional frogfish. On days when current pushes through, schools of island trevallies and amberjacks may visit. Reef fish are present throughout, particularly around the triple arch.