Scuba Diving in Miyako
The Ultimate Guide
Miyako Island sits almost halfway between Okinawa’s main island and Taiwan and is famed for its labyrinthine underwater topography. Most of its celebrated dive sites are around tiny Shimoji and Irabu islands just to the west. Here, volcanic limestone has eroded into cathedral‑like caverns, tunnels and blue holes that fill with shafts of sunlight. Iconic sites such as Devil’s Palace, Tori‑ike and Antonio Gaudi feel like underwater cathedrals where beams of light paint the stalactites and arches. Although big animals are rare, you’ll find sea turtles, schooling batfish, garden eels and colourful reef fish along the Yabiji reef to the north when conditions allow. Diving here requires good buoyancy control and torch technique, but the atmosphere is tranquil and the water is usually gin‑clear.
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperature
24-30°C
Visibility
20-40m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Miyako for Diving
✈️Transportation
Miyakojima has its own airport (MMY) with daily domestic flights from Naha, Ishigaki and direct routes from Tokyo and Osaka.
International travellers can fly to Naha then connect to Miyako or take seasonal direct flights.
From the airport it’s a short drive to the marinas at Hirara or Shimoji where dive boats depart.
There are no regular ferries from Okinawa’s main island.
Most dive shops run half‑day trips with two dives, returning to port for lunch.
Country
Japan
Currency
Japanese Yen
Electricity
100V, 50/60Hz, Type A/B plugs
Cost of a Dive Trip in Miyako
Day Trip
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Miyako
🐠Devil’s Palace (Maou no Kyuden)
Perhaps Miyako’s most famous cavern dive, Devil’s Palace drops through a chimney into a huge chamber at around 24 m. Openings in the ceiling allow sunlight to beam through like stained glass and illuminate stalactites and boulders. The exit leads through archways back to the open ocean.
🐢Tori‑ike (通池)
This unique dive starts in the ocean at 15 m and swims through a tunnel into a landlocked sinkhole. Divers surface briefly inside the blue pool before descending back through a second tunnel. A halocline at the interface of fresh and saltwater creates surreal visual effects. Suitable only for advanced divers with good buoyancy.
🦈Antonio Gaudi
Named after the Spanish architect, this site is a labyrinth of arches and columns that resemble a submerged basilica. Starting at around 20 m and dropping to 34 m, the structure is covered in colourful sponges and glassfish. Photographers love the play of light through the arches.
🐙Snake Hole (Sunayama Hole)
Also called the Blue Dome, this shallow cave on Irabu Island features a wide entrance leading into a domed cavern. Sunlight streams in through holes in the roof, turning the water a brilliant cobalt. The cave is home to cardinalfish, sweepers and tiny shrimp.
🐚W‑Arch
Two symmetrical arches at about 18 m form a natural heart shape that can be swum through. Sea fans decorate the walls and garden eels poke their heads from the sand nearby. It’s an easy but visually striking dive.
What Divers Say About Diving in Miyako
Alex Thompson
Marine Biologis / DivemasterIf you’ve ever dreamed of diving through underwater cathedrals, Miyako delivers. Each morning we motored out past turquoise lagoons to small rocky islets and dropped into water so clear it felt like flying. Devil’s Palace took my breath away – shafts of sunlight pierced the ceiling of a large chamber and illuminated the walls like stained glass. Later we swam through the twin arches of Antonio Gaudi and popped up inside the mysterious inland pool at Tori‑ike. Compared with other Japanese destinations the diving here is mellow and the focus is on ambience rather than big animals. Good buoyancy control, a torch and a sense of wonder are all you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Miyako
When is the best time to dive in Miyakojima?
October through April offers calm winds and excellent visibility for exploring the caves around Shimoji Island. May to September brings warmer water and access to Yabiji reef between typhoons, though summer typhoons can disrupt schedules.
What marine life can I expect?
Big animals are rare, but you'll see hawksbill and green turtles, batfish, garden eels, nudibranchs, octopus and schools of reef fish. The Yabiji coral reef hosts hard and soft corals, anemonefish and, in season, manta rays.
Is Miyako suitable for beginners?
Many of the cavern dives are suitable for confident Open Water divers comfortable with overhead environments and buoyancy control. Some deeper caves and arches require Advanced certification. Dive with a local guide and bring a torch.
How many dive sites are there around Miyako?
There are more than 20 named sites including Devil's Palace, Tori‑ike, Antonio Gaudi, Snake Hole, W‑Arch, L‑Arch, Cross Hole and dozens of smaller grottos. Yabiji reef adds another dozen patch reefs when conditions allow.
How do I reach the dive sites?
Dive boats depart from Hirara and Shimoji marinas. It's a 15–30 minute ride to most sites. There are no shore dives here; all sites are boat accessible.
What gear should I bring?
A 3–5 mm wetsuit is comfortable year‑round. Bring a small torch for cavern dives and be proficient in buoyancy control. Nitrox is available at some dive centres.