Diving Spots

List of diving spots in Miyako Island [All 5 areas, 51 points explained]

Key points on this page

The diving spots in Miyako Island are chosen on a daily basis from Shimoji Island, Irabu Island, Yaebise, and the southern coast, depending on the wind direction and sea conditions. Toriike Pond, Maou no Kyuden (Demon King's Palace), and Antonio Gaudi are known as the "Three Great Diving Spots of Miyako Island," and from October to March, Shimoji Island is a more likely destination. On the other hand, from June to August, the southerly winds make Irabu Island a more popular choice. Even within Miyako Island, the choice of diving spots may differ between shops that focus on fun dives and those that also offer introductory dives. If you have a specific diving spot in mind, it's important to plan accordingly, taking into account the season, length of stay, and the shop's diving spot selection policy. For those whose goal is to experience Miyako Island's topographical diving,Complete Guide to Diving in Miyako Island's Topography | Top 3 Diving Spots, Seasons, and Shop SelectionYou can also check the targeting methods and necessary skills for each season.

About Diving Spots

About Miyakojima Diving Spots

Miyakojima Brand =
World-class geological formations

The "terrain" diving style is not as popular as other diving styles (big fish, small fish, coral, etc.), but
Miyako Island's geographical features are undoubtedly among the best in the world, not just in Japan.

There are many spots where you can experience the natural beauty and dynamism that is unique to Miyakojima.

BIGHOLIDAY does not use snorkeling areas or beginner trial-diving areas for certified fun diving tours. Our guided dives focus on sites suitable for certified divers.
Please come and look forward to it!

how many

Miyakojima Diving Spots
How many places in total?

Irabu Island and Shimoji Island alone include many dive sites in the main diving area.
If you include all other areas (Yaenishi, Ikema Island, Ogami Island, Karimata, Miyako Island, East Coast of Miyako Island, South Coast of Miyako Island, Kurima Island), the total number of points exceeds 100.

Half of the area is made up of some of the world's most beautiful geological formations, but there are also a variety of other attractions scattered throughout the area, including sandy areas, coral reefs, large fish spots, and shipwrecks.

One thing that Miyakojima doesn't have is a manta ray cleaning station, where you have a high chance of seeing manta rays. Manta rays have been spotted on Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Kume Island, but not yet on Miyakojima. (They do appear randomly in winter.)Miyako Island Manta Ray Diving: Best Time, Location, and ProbabilityThis is explained on a separate page.

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Irabu Island or Shimoji Island | What are the criteria for deciding which area to dive in on the day?

One of the most common questions we receive is, “Can we dive Maou no Kyuden?”

Regarding questions about the areas and points where you can dive, the areas and points where you can dive on the day are roughly determined by the wind direction (season), so
The answer is that "probably" it is similar.

If you choose the wrong season, the chances of diving at your desired spot will be significantly lower. On the other hand, if you do your research beforehand, the chances of diving at your desired spot will be significantly higher.

To ensure that your wishes are met as much as possible, please see the general criteria and seasonality for selecting points below.

Diving spots depending on wind direction (season)

The diving spots are roughly determined by the wind direction (season).

From May to August, the warm southerly wind blows, so the northern Irabu Island area is downwind.
From October to March, the cold north wind blows, so the Shimojishima area on the south side is downwind.
In April and September, the winds are half southerly and half northerly, so diving is split equally between Irabu Island and Shimoji Island.

In this way, diving is generally done on the downwind side where the waves are calmer.

Why can't you dive on the windward side?

The waves upwind are often quite high and dangerous. Navigating a boat is not difficult, but entry and exit are extremely difficult in high waves. The most common injury during diving is the timing of entry and exit.

Diving downwind is a common practice not only in Miyakojima but all over the world. If the wind is weak and it is safe to do so, we sometimes try diving in the upwind area,

After all, matching your seasons will greatly increase your chances of diving at your desired spots.

seasonality

Underwater diving in Miyako Island
Seasonality & Key Points Quick Reference

	Area	Wind direction	temperature	Water temperature
January	Groundwork	North	Temperature 18 ℃	Water temperature 22℃
February	Groundwork	North	Temperature 18 ℃	Water temperature 21℃
March	Groundwork	North	Temperature 23 ℃	Water temperature 22℃
April	Base/Irabu	North/South	Temperature 24 ℃	Water temperature 23℃
May	Irabu	south	Temperature 27 ℃	Water temperature 25℃
June	Irabu	south	Temperature 29 ℃	Water temperature 27℃
July	Irabu	south	Temperature 32 ℃	Water temperature 29℃
August	Irabu	south	Temperature 32 ℃	Water temperature 29℃
September	Irabu/Shimoji	South/North	Temperature 32 ℃	Water temperature 29℃
October	Groundwork	North	Temperature 28 ℃	Water temperature 27℃
November	Groundwork	North	Temperature 24 ℃	Water temperature 25℃
December	Groundwork	North	Temperature 21 ℃	Water temperature 23℃

By looking at the table above and then at the list of diving spots by area below, you can see what spots you can dive at and when.

If you are currently planning a diving trip, knowing what spots you will be able to dive at will help you get excited.

If you take these points into consideration when requesting a dive spot, your request will be more likely to be fulfilled!

how many

Miyakojima
Diving Spots by Area

We will introduce the diving spots in Miyakojima that BIGHOLIDAY has visited so far, along with the difficulty level, chances of being able to try, and customer satisfaction.

request

BIGHOLIDAY point selection
Customer requests are the focus

Miyakojima is dotted with over 100 different diving spots.
Please let us know what you would like.
We will clearly state your requests on the boarding list and take on the challenge together.

Requests

Related Blog

Articles about
dive site in Miyakojima

FAQ

Q. How are the diving spots in Miyako Island divided into different areas?

The main areas are Shimojishima, Irabujima, Yaebise, and the southern coast. Shimojishima is known for its unique geological features such as Toriike Pond, Maou no Kyuden, and Antonio Gaudi; Irabujima is known for its easily accessible geological formations, arches, and caves in the summer; Yaebise is known for its coral reefs; and the southern coast is an area to choose from depending on the sea conditions in winter.

Q. When is the best time to dive at Miyako Island's three major dive spots?

The Shimojishima area, home to Toriike Pond, Maou no Kyuden (Demon King's Palace), and Antonio Gaudí, is easier to visit from October to March when northerly winds increase. If the sea conditions are favorable, there's a higher chance of visiting multiple representative dive sites during a 2-3 day stay, so it's recommended to allocate multiple diving days if your goal is to visit Miyako Island's three major dive sites.

Q. In Miyako Island during the summer, which areas do you usually go to for diving?

From June to August, there are many days with strong southerly winds, so we tend to choose the Irabu Island area, which is downwind, more often than the Shimoji Island area. Shops that offer snorkeling and introductory diving tend to prioritize calmer waters, while shops that focus on fun dives tend to aim for points with more interesting topography, depending on the sea conditions.

Q. Can I request points?

Requests are welcome. However, the final location selection will be determined based on the wind direction, waves, tides, visibility, and safety conditions on the day of the trip. If you have a preference, please let us know when you make your reservation so that we can include it in the passenger manifest and make it easier to consider as a candidate on the day.

Q. If I'm diving with BIGHOLIDAY for the first time, which page should I read first to get a better understanding?

First, check the characteristics of each area on this page, and then we recommend checking the participation requirements, season, and shop selection in the Miyako Island Fun Diving Complete Guide. If you have a specific dive site in mind, we also recommend checking the individual pages for sites such as Maou no Kyuden, Antonio Gaudi, and Toriike to help you determine the difficulty level and best season.

Browse Miyakojima diving dates and book your trip from the BIGHOLIDAY homepage.

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List of diving spots in Miyako Island [All 5 areas, 51 points explained]

About Miyakojima Diving Spots

Miyakojima Brand =
World-class geological formations

Miyakojima Diving Spots
How many places in total?