Shirahama Ohama Beach Live Cam

The Geological Origins

Nestled on the southeastern tip of the Izu Peninsula, Shirahama Ohama Beach is a stunning exemplar of coastal geomorphology. The “white sandy shores” for which Shirahama Beach is renowned were formed through centuries of weathering and erosion of nearby volcanic rock outcrops, which are part of the larger Fuji Volcanic Province. These olivine and andesite fragments were gradually crushed by wave action, producing the fine quartz-rich sand that glistens under the Shimoda sun.

The local “marine ecosystems” here are shaped by the meeting of the warm Kuroshio Current and the colder Oyashio Current, creating nutrient-rich waters that support a diverse array of aquatic life. Oceanographers and “oceanography enthusiasts” often study the unique bathymetry of the bay, where depths quickly drop off beyond the breakers, favoring both large pelagic species and a flourishing kelp forest near shore.