48 years of diving one island's extraordinary ocean.
Your turn.
4.9★★★★★
The Ocean
I've dived oceans all over the world. In the end, I chose Sado. Hitoshi Sakuma · Owner, Est. 1978About Sado's Ocean
Why divers keep choosing us on Sado Island
Jalan.net Rating / No.1 in Sado Area
Divers who've explored
Sado with Freeway
Guiding divers through
Sado's waters since 1978
Internationally certified
PADI Dive Center
"I picked up diving at 65 and hit my 100th dive right here in Sado. The crew surprised me with an underwater celebration — I'll never forget it. The guides know these waters inside and out, and every dive is a new memory."
"First time diving and I was pretty nervous, but the staff were so patient — never rushed us once. Felt totally safe the whole time. And then a massive Kobudai swam right up to us. Unreal. We're already planning our next trip."
"I've been coming to Sado for eight years now. Tried other shops along the way, but Freeway is on another level — the safety, the guiding, everything. They always know exactly which point to hit, and I see something new every single time."
"I was a little nervous going in, but the staff let me take my time and never pressured me. The water was so clear, and the fish just came right up to us. Honestly one of the best experiences of my life."
"Four years straight and counting. The service never dips — it's consistently top-notch every visit. My only regret is not finding this place sooner."
"We brought the whole family — including our 10-year-old daughter. A staff member stayed glued to her side the entire dive. They even took underwater photos of all four of us. Hands down, best summer memory we've ever made."
Overall Rating 4.9 / 5.0 (43 reviews)
Featured In
For Beginners
¥14,500~
"Sunlight from below the surface — it's something you'll never forget."— Hiroyuki Koide (Sado Shop Manager)
Your own guide, your own group. Go at whatever pace feels right.
Returning Divers
¥16,500~ (2 boat dives)
30 centimeters from a Kobudai.
17 dive points, each one different. Veteran guides who know every rock and current.
Get Licensed
¥68,000~ (3-4 days)
PADI Open Water Diver course. Earn your C-card — recognized in 180+ countries — surrounded by Sado's incredible marine life.
2026 EARLY BIRD CAMPAIGN
Book your Open Water Diver course by the end of June and save ¥10,000.
¥68,000→¥58,000(tax incl.)
This summer, Sado. Your diving life starts here.
If you want to see Kobudai up close — courtship, spawning, head-on battles — Sado is the place. They still blow my mind every time.
— Hiroyuki Koide (Sado Shop Manager)
Owner / PADI Master Trainer
He's dived oceans all over the world, and chose Sado. 48 years later, he's still here — the man who built Freeway from the ground up.
Sado Shop Manager / IDC Staff Instructor
Trained in Okinawa for three years before moving to Sado. He's been in these waters nearly every day for 12 years — a true craftsman with an obsession for macro life.
Instructor
Freeway's only female instructor. She makes every diver's milestone feel special and shares the Sado diving life on her blog.
No problem at all. Your wetsuit keeps you buoyant — you won't sink. Plenty of non-swimmers dive with us and have a great time.
Absolutely. We run small groups and our staff gives you as much one-on-one attention as you need. Solo visitors are always welcome.
Contact lenses work great (dailies are best). We also have prescription masks available to rent — just mention it when you book.
Ages 10 and up can do a trial dive. Parents or guardians are welcome to watch from a spot where they can keep an eye on things.
Most of our dive points are just 3 to 15 minutes from the harbor by boat. It's a quick ride, so even if you're prone to seasickness, you'll be fine.
Take the Niigata–Ryotsu ferry. The jetfoil gets you there in about an hour; the regular ferry takes around 2.5 hours.
Two locations: Sado Island & Niigata City
