Miyako Island
Diving Miyako Island
Miyako Island is diving Heaven, with many diving scenes to explore including caves and caverns. Visit one of the dive shops on the island to explore Miyako Island underwater.
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Diving can be done year round, however, December - March offers the best conditions.
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Miyako island is famous for its caves and caverns and below I have listed some of the most famous dive sites here!
Miyako Island
The Miyako Islands are a group of small, mostly inhabited islands, surrounding the larger, central Miyako Island. Many of the smaller islands are connected to Miyako Island via bridges. Surrounded by some of Okinawa’s largest coral reefs, the Miyako Islands are a mecca for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The waters around the islands are crystal clear and in pristine condition, and tour operators offer many exciting ways to enjoy the ocean, from glass-bottomed boat trips and parasailing to kayak and SUP tours. The Miyako Islands have many beautiful beaches, resorts, and rentals.
Where to stay
There are several different accommodation options available on Miyako Island to suit different budgets, from luxury beachside resorts and pool villas to vacation cottages and smaller guesthouses
How to get there?
The Miyako Islands are connected via bridges! You can rent a car and go island hopping all you want!
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To get to any of the nearby islands in the Yaeyama archipelago (except Yonaguni) you need to take a flight to Ishigaki and then travel by ferry. There are no passenger ferry services to Ishigaki from mainland Japan or Okinawa.
You can fly to Ishigaki City from Tokyo, Osaka, Naha, or Hong Kong, Taipei, and Fukuoka.
There are also flights from and to Miyako Island and Yonaguni Island
"W-Arch"
Enjoy large and small arches at relatively shallow depths on the reef edge at this stunning point. Viewed from beneath, the large main arch appears heart-shaped. W-Arch is a great site for divers new to cave diving.
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Depth: 18 meters
Current: low - medium
"Satan's Palace"
Because of its large size, complex topography, and the advanced skills needed to navigate narrow tunnels and arches. Test your cave diving skills here, or fine-tune them.
Divers enter a large cavern with openings in the ceiling that allow sunlight to filter into the space.
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Depth: 18 - 30 meters
Current: low - strong
"Antoni Gaudi"
Several caves linked with arches and other formations give this dive site its name, which reminds people of works by legendary architect Antoni Gaudí.
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Keep your buoyancy and navigate this beautiful place!
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Depth: 18 - 35 meters
Current: low - strong
"Toriike"
Swim through a tunnel that connects the sea with a large, cavernous pond near the shore.
The combination of freshwater close to the surface of the pond and seawater at lower levels creates a chemocline phenomenon, which can create a multicolored, shimmering effect in the water.
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Depth: 18 - 45 meters
Current: low
