[Toriike Pond] Complete Guide to Miyako Island Diving Natural Monument Point

Last updated: 2026-05-19

Toriike Pond is a diving spot with a unique topography located in the direction of Miyako Island and Shimoji Island.

The Demon King's Palace, on par with Antonio Gaudí's.Miyako Island's three major points of interestIt's one of the special spots where you can surfac from the open ocean, through a cave, and into a pond connected to the sea.

Miyako Island has many unique geological features, but Toriike Pond is one of the most distinctive.

Diving at Toriike Pond is unique because it involves not only passing through a cave, but also the experience of surfacing into the pond, the boundary between freshwater and saltwater, the difference in water temperature, and the currents that lead back to the open ocean after re-diving.

On the other hand, the difficulty level is quite high. Because factors such as water depth, topography, sea conditions, and currents during ascent and re-descent all play a role, it's not a dive site you can choose simply because you want to go.

BIGHOLIDAY's Toriike Pond: Monthly Diving Records

According to BIGHOLIDAY's sales performance data (2022-2025), Toriike Pond is a diving spot that has been visited 88 times over the four-year period.

Compared to the Demon King's Palace or Antonio Gaudí, the number of times you can complete the Toriike Pond dive is relatively low. This isn't because Toriike Pond isn't an attractive spot; rather, it's because sea conditions, route planning, team skills, and safety judgment are all more important at this location.

Looking at the data by month, the highest figures are from October to December, with November being the busiest month.

However, there are days when the sea is rough due to cold fronts or winter weather patterns. Even in months with a good track record, trips may be canceled or the location changed depending on the sea conditions on the day.

Where is Toriike Pond located?

Toriike Pond is a diving spot located towards Shimoji Island, which can be reached by boat from Miyako Island.

Towards Shimojishima, you'll find many of Miyako Island's most iconic geographical points, including the Demon King's Palace, Antonio Gaudí, and Toriike Pond.

Toriike Pond is a unique spot in the area where the open ocean and the pond are connected underwater. Divers sometimes take a route where they surface into the pond from the sea through a cave, then descend again to return to the open ocean.

However, it's not always possible to go to Shimojishima Island. In particular, strong southerly winds are common in June and July, which means there are more days when it's impossible to go to Shimojishima Island, which faces south.

What kind of topographical features does Toriike Pond have?

Toriike Pond is a geological point where you emerge from the open sea through a cave and into the pond.

As you swim through the water, the scenery changes from the blue of the open ocean to the dark interior of a cave, before you surface into the pond. The charm of Toriike Pond isn't just about the underwater experience; the scenery you see after surfacing is also part of its appeal.

The pond has layers where freshwater and saltwater mix, and depending on the timing, you may notice differences in water temperature or fluctuations in visibility.

Miyako Island has many cave diving spots, but places like Toriike Pond, where you can experience "surfacing from the sea into the pond," are special.

Highlights of Toriike Pond

A unique route from the open ocean to the pond.

The greatest attraction of Toriike Pond is the experience of surfacing into the pond from the open sea through a cave.

Although it was moving underwater, it eventually surfaced on the pond's surface. This sequence leaves a completely different impression compared to other topographical points.

The boundary between freshwater and saltwater

Toriike Pond offers a unique view, a result of its location where freshwater and saltwater mix.

The water temperature can change, and the visibility can become distorted, making this a spot where you can not only appreciate the beauty but also feel the changes in the water itself.

The feeling of being in an extraordinary situation when you surface in the pond

The moment you surface into the pond, the scenery changes dramatically from the feeling of diving in the open ocean.

It's not just the beauty of the terrain that makes Toriike Pond memorable, but also the overall experience of the route itself.

Difficulty level and required skills for the Toriike Pond

Toriike Pond is one of the more challenging diving spots among Miyako Island's three major diving locations.

What's needed isn't so much special qualifications, but rather a solid foundation of basic skills.

• The ability to maintain neutral buoyancy stably.
• Having no major concerns about ear equalization
• Being able to track your own air consumption
• Being able to maintain a safe distance from the guide
• Being able to calmly respond to the ascent and re-descent process.

At Toriike Pond, the currents are not just about passing through the caves; they involve surfacing into the pond, then diving again to return to the open ocean.

Therefore, if you haven't ridden in a long time, have concerns about equalizing ear pressure, or consume air quickly, please consult with us when making your reservation.

How many days should I dive if I'm targeting Toriike Pond?

If your goal is to visit Toriike Pond, I wouldn't recommend trying to do so with just one day of diving.

According to BIGHOLIDAY's sales record, Toriike Pond was visited 88 times in four years. This is fewer visits than to the Demon King's Palace or Antoni Gaudí's works.

This is because Toriike Pond is a point that is easily affected by sea conditions and team skills.

If you're planning to dive at Toriike Pond, it's best to book at least two to three days for diving to increase your chances of finding a day with favorable sea conditions. October to December is a particularly productive time for diving.

How will BIGHOLIDAY make this decision and provide guidance?

BIGHOLIDAY is a dive shop that primarily offers fun dives for certified diving enthusiasts.

Based on 2025 data, the average number of dives per guest was 262. We maintain a small team structure with a maximum of 6 guests per guide.

However, a small group size doesn't necessarily mean it's always better. Different shops offer vastly different teaching styles, such as offering tours for beginners, those combined with introductory diving, or those combined with snorkeling.

Choosing the right spot is especially important at Toriike Pond.

We don't just decide based on a request to "go," but we also consider the sea conditions on the day, the overall skills of the team, air pressure management, ear equalization, swells, and whether it's possible to ascend and re-dive safely.

When the sea conditions and team skills are right, Toriike Pond can be a memorable spot among Miyako Island's topographical diving locations.

Toriike Pond Mermaid Legend

There is a legend about a mermaid associated with Toriike Pond.

However, for a diving article, it's more important to know "what kind of spot it is," "how difficult it is," and "when it's easiest to visit" before getting bogged down in legends.

Furthermore, knowing the mermaid legend associated with Toriike Pond might give you a slightly different perspective when you surface in the pond.

Toriike Pond is a special spot on Miyako Island, where the topography, sea conditions, water layers, and legends all come together.

FAQ

Q. Is Toriike Pond suitable for beginners to dive in?

This is not suitable for complete beginners. Due to the depth, topography, sea conditions, and currents during ascent and re-descent, it is one of the more difficult of Miyako Island's three major dive sites. If you have any concerns, please consult with us about your experience level, breaks in diving, ear equalization, and air consumption when making your reservation.

Q. When is the best time to fish at Toriike Pond?

BIGHOLIDAY's operating record from 2022 to 2025 shows that October to December has the most activity, with November being the busiest month. While the sea conditions tend to be favorable for targeting the Shimojishima area, the influence of winter weather patterns and cold fronts can also be a factor, so we will make a safe decision based on the sea conditions on the day.

Q. Do they really float to the surface in Toriike Pond?

If the sea conditions and team skills are suitable, and the guide determines that it can be safely conducted, we may take a route that goes from the open sea through a cave to surface into the pond. However, surface in the pond is not guaranteed.

Q. How is this different from the Demon King's Palace or Antonio Gaudí's work?

The Demon King's Palace tells a story through three rooms, while Antonio Gaudí's work is captivating for its intricate arch structure and aesthetic beauty. The Toriike Pond offers the unique experience of emerging from the open sea through a cave and is characterized by the boundary between freshwater and saltwater.

Watch Toriike Pond in a video

The topography and underwater atmosphere of Toriike Pond are difficult to convey through photographs alone. If you would like to see the actual route and how the light enters the pond, please refer to this video as well.

Articles you should read before making a reservation

Totty — BIGHOLIDAY Owner's Guide

I've lived in Miyako Island for 21 years (since 2005). I specialize in fun diving. I select Miyako Island's three major dive sites more than 150 times a year, and I've done about 20,000 dives in Miyako Island. YouTube "Totty / scuba diving" shares Miyakojima diving information with more than twelve thousand subscribers.

Since 2023, we have been among the top-ranked Marine Diving Award winners for three consecutive years.
2023 Japan Coast Guard Director-General's Award (for meritorious service in maritime rescue)
Discoverer of Miyako Island's first manta ray station in 2025