宮古島 MiyakoMiyako

Diving centres on Irabu and Shimoji to the west, separated only by a narrow channel and linked to Miyako by the Irabu Bridge. Boats leave from Miyako's west coast or Irabu and reach the sites in ten-odd minutes. The highlight is light and rock formations, so bring a wide-angle lens.

The main season is May to October, with April and November also workable. Summer water is 27-29°C and the west coast is calm in the southerly season. July to October brings frequent typhoons that can close the sea for two or three days. The winter northeast monsoon is strong, but the island is small with sheltered coasts on every side, so many days remain diveable at about 22-23°C. Local sources put year-round visibility at about 15-25 m.

• Turtles
• Small fish schools at cavern mouths
• Shrimps on cavern ceilings

Boat diving, from beginner to intermediate and above. Mao's Palace is about 5-30 m and suits beginners with a guide. Antonio Gaudi has its entrance at about 25 m and a maximum of about 36 m, for intermediate divers and above. Toriike is intermediate. The L-shaped arch and Cross Hole off Irabu are shallower. These are arches and part-open caverns with exits, not true cave dives, but with rock overhead, buoyancy control and not stirring up silt matter.

Mao's Palace (Mao no Kyuden)

Near Shimoji airport; about 5-30 m; beams of light from the roof.

Antonio Gaudi

Entrance about 25 m, max about 36 m; complex arches and caverns; intermediate and above.

Toriike

Two inland ponds connected to the sea by an underwater passage; intermediate.

Irabu L-shaped arch and Cross Hole

Large arch and a cross-shaped hole; a first taste of cavern terrain.

HK Express flies seasonally to Shimojishima Airport (the 2025 season ran late June to late October, four flights a week; schedules change each year). Otherwise fly via Naha, about 45-50 minutes to Miyako Airport. Buses are few, so rent a car; stay in Hirara town or on Irabu.

1. Sites such as Antonio Gaudi go below 30 m; watch no-decompression limits and narcosis, and respect the maximum operating depth on nitrox.
2. Inside caverns and arches you cannot ascend directly; stay close to the guide, keep track of the exit and do not enter tight spaces alone.
3. Miyako Tokushukai Hospital has a single-person hyperbaric chamber; check with your shop whether it takes diving emergencies. Serious cases may go to the main island.
4. Do not dive on your last day; leave time before flying.