Complete Guide to Miyako Island's Top 3 Attractions: The Demon King's Palace, Antonio Gaudí, and Toriike Pond

Last updated: 2026-05-18

For those coming to Miyako Island for fun diving specifically to explore its unique topography, the first thing you should know is:Miyako Island's three major points of interest.

The three major diving spots in Miyako Island refer to the following three geographical points that are representative of the Shimoji Island area.

• Maou no Kyuden
• Antonio Gaudi
• Toriike Pond

While all of these dive sites are representative of Miyako Island's unique topography, each has its own distinct features, difficulty level, favorable sea conditions, and required skills.

This article compares the three main attractions in Miyako Island from the perspective of a local guide, and summarizes the points you should know before making a reservation.

What are the three main points of interest in Miyako Island?

The three major diving spots in Miyako Island are Maou no Kyuden (Demon King's Palace), Antonio Gaudi, and Toriike, which are representative of Miyako Island's topographical diving.

All of these are geological points located towards Shimojishima Island, where you can enjoy the dynamic underwater scenery characteristic of Miyako Island, including caves, arches, vertical shafts, and geological formations that connect ponds to the sea.

However, while the three points may seem similar, they are actually quite different in nature.

The Demon King's Palace is relatively easy to visualize among Miyako Island's three major dive sites, with its impressive light and flowing currents through the caves. Antonio Gaudi is a deep dive site for advanced divers, offering views of complex arch structures. Toriike Pond is a natural monument where the pond is connected to the sea, making route planning and sea conditions even more crucial.

If you're thinking, "I want to visit Miyako Island's three main attractions," it's important to understand the differences between them rather than lumping them all together, and then plan your itinerary accordingly.

Where are the three best spots on Miyako Island?

The three major diving spots in Miyako Island are all located towards Shimoji Island.

The area around Shimojishima is where many of Miyako Island's topographical diving spots are concentrated. During seasons when northerly winds blow, the sea conditions tend to be more stable, making it easier to target Miyako Island's three major diving spots.

On the other hand, during periods like June and July when the seasonal winds from the south are strong, there are many days when we cannot go to the points facing south towards Shimojishima. In those cases, we may choose points towards Irabu Island or other areas.

In other words, the three major diving spots in Miyako Island are not places you can always go to just by requesting them. You need to choose a spot that suits the team on that day, based on sea conditions and safety assessments.

A comparison of the Demon King's Palace, Antonio Gaudí, and the Street Pond.

At BIGHOLIDAY, we don't just mechanically target the three major dive spots in Miyako Island; we select spots while considering sea conditions, team skills, requests, and safety.

If sea conditions permit, our policy is to include at least one dive per day at one of Miyako Island's three major dive sites, or at a dive site with a topography that is just as good.

Maou no Kyuden

The Demon King's Palace is a particularly well-known geological spot among Miyako Island's three major diving spots.

Inside the cave, there are spaces called the entrance, hall, and bedroom, creating a narrative flow as you proceed through the passageways, visiting each room. When sunlight enters, pillars of light shine into the dark cave, giving you a strong sense of the unique topography and diving experience characteristic of Miyako Island.

The maximum depth is approximately 25 meters. Among Miyako Island's three major diving spots, this is a relatively easy one to target, but because you will be navigating inside a cave, neutral buoyancy, fin work, proper use of lights, and overall team composure are essential.

According to BIGHOLIDAY's operational record, the Demon King's Palace is a dive site where we have conducted 252 dives over the four years from 2022 to 2025. Among Miyako Island's three major dive sites, it is a representative site with a consistently high number of opportunities for guided tours.

For more details, see the individual articles which explain the highlights, seasons, and difficulty levels.

[The Demon King's Palace] A thorough analysis of Miyako Island's No. 1 most popular diving spot.

Antonio Gaudi

Antonio Gaudi is one of Miyako Island's three major dive sites, and its most attractive feature is its unique, three-dimensional topography.

The complex structure, resembling multiple overlapping arches, allows you to enjoy the unique scale of Miyako Island's topography by looking down from above or passing through the gaps in the terrain.

On the other hand, this is also a point where the water tends to get deep. The maximum depth is about 35m. Rather than staying in the deep area for too long, it is necessary to dive while monitoring your NDL, remaining air pressure, buoyancy, and the movements of the entire team.

When BIGHOLIDAY's operating records are recalculated on a monthly basis, Antonio Gaudi is a dive site that has been used 220 times over the four years from 2022 to 2025. Among Miyako Island's three major dive sites, it is a site that is frequently requested by advanced divers and customers who appreciate unique underwater topography.

For more details, see the individual articles which explain how to interpret the terrain, the necessary skills, and the best seasons to target this area.

[Antonio Gaudi] Complete Guide to Diving Topography and Points in Miyako Island

Toriike Pond

Toriike Pond holds a special place among Miyako Island's three major diving spots.

This unique geological formation, where the sea flows into a pond, is designated as a national natural monument. The route from underwater to the pond, the feeling of surfacing into the water, and the way the boundary between saltwater and freshwater looks are all completely different from other diving spots.

However, judging the sea conditions, route, and team skills is crucial when navigating Toriike Pond. While it has a unique geographical feature, it's not a place that just anyone can easily guide others to.

When BIGHOLIDAY's operating records are recalculated on a monthly basis, Toriike Pond was dived 88 times over the four years from 2022 to 2025. The number of dives is fewer compared to Maou no Kyuden and Antonio Gaudi, but that makes it a special spot that is targeted only on days when the sea conditions and team conditions are just right.

For more details, please see the individual article, which explains the unique sights and points to note about Toriike Pond.

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

When is the best time to fish at Miyako Island's three major fishing spots?

The three main diving spots in Miyako Island are located towards Shimoji Island, so they are strongly affected by wind direction. Rather than judging by intuition alone, looking at BIGHOLIDAY's monthly operating records will give you a much clearer idea of ​​the best time to go.

The table below shows the total number of times I visited the Demon King's Palace, Antonio Gaudí, and the Street Pond, broken down by month, over the four-year period from 2022 to 2025.

Based on past results, October, November, September, April, and December are generally good months to target Miyako Island's three major dive sites. October and November, in particular, attract many recreational divers looking for unique topographical features towards Shimoji Island, making them ideal times to explore Miyako Island's characteristic underwater topography.

On the other hand, strong southerly seasonal winds in June and July mean that there are many days when we cannot go to Shimojishima Island. During this time, we tend to focus on diving spots around Irabu Island.

August is a time when the sunlight is strong and the sun is high in the sky. If the sea conditions are right, the light from the Demon King's Palace and the light shining through the openings in the topographical points can be seen in a very beautiful way. However, where you can actually go will vary greatly depending on the sea conditions and the dive shop's selection of points.

How many days of diving are needed to easily target the three major dive spots in Miyako Island?

If your goal is to visit Miyako Island's three major diving spots, it's recommended to allocate 2-3 days for diving rather than just one day.

The reason is simple: the three major diving spots around Miyako Island are affected by sea conditions. If you only have one day, and there are southerly winds or swells that day, you might not be able to go towards Shimoji Island.

With two to three days, there's a greater chance that the wind direction and sea conditions will change. If it's a month when diving is possible around Shimojishima, you'll have a good chance of seeing places like the Demon King's Palace or Antonio Gaudí about once every two to three days.

However, this does not mean that we can definitely go. At BIGHOLIDAY, we take customer requests into consideration, but ultimately we decide on a dive site based on sea conditions, team skills, and safety.

The diving spots you can go to will vary greatly depending on the shop you choose.

In Miyako Island, the actual diving spots you visit will vary greatly depending on which dive shop you choose.

Especially if your goal is to visit Miyako Island's three major diving spots, choosing a dive shop based solely on price and meeting location might result in a dive that doesn't meet your expectations.

Shops that offer snorkeling and introductory diving tours tend to choose calmer waters. This can be a better option for those who are unsure about their skills or prone to seasickness.

On the other hand, shops that focus on fun dives can easily target Miyako Island's three major dive sites near Shimoji Island, as well as deeper dive sites with unique topography, depending on the sea conditions and the team's skill level. If you prioritize the quality of the dive sites, it's recommended to choose a shop based on which areas they specialize in.

BIGHOLIDAY primarily offers fun dives for certified divers. Our guests have an average of 262 dives (as of 2025), and we aim to form teams of up to six people per guide.

However, a small group size doesn't necessarily mean it's always better. If the group size is too small, it might be a shared dive shop that doesn't own a boat, or it might be geared more towards beginners or introductory dives.

If your goal is to visit Miyako Island's three major diving spots, it's recommended to choose a tour group not only based on the ratio of guides, but also on whether they primarily focus on fun dives, which areas and spots they specialize in, and whether the experience level of the participants matches your own.

If sea conditions permit, our policy is to include at least one dive per day at one of Miyako Island's three major dive sites, or at a dive site with a topography that is just as good.

FAQ

Q. Is it possible to dive at all three major dive spots in Miyako Island in one day?

Generally speaking, it's not realistic to assume you can visit all the points in one day. You need to consider the locations of the points, the sea conditions, the team's skills on the day, and the dive plan, so it's easier to plan for 2-3 diving days.

Q. Can beginners go to the three major diving spots in Miyako Island?

All three of Miyako Island's top dive spots are topographical. Maou no Kyuden (Demon King's Palace) is a relatively easy spot to dive, but even then, neutral buoyancy and calm fin work are necessary. Antonio Gaudi and Toriike are more suitable for experienced diveters.

Q. Which season do you recommend most?

The best time to target the Shimojishima area is from autumn through winter and into early spring. If visibility is your priority, winter is recommended; if you prioritize light, August is a good choice; and if you prioritize stability for recreational divers, October is also a good option. However, the best dive site will vary depending on the sea conditions in any given season.

Q. If I want to visit the three major scenic spots in Miyako Island, should I mention it when making a reservation?

Yes. Please let us know when you make your reservation if you'd like to target the three major diving spots in Miyako Island. However, requests are not guaranteed. We will choose the best spot based on the sea conditions, team skills, and safety on the day of your trip.

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