Miyakejima and Mikurajima

Scuba is confined to currently permitted Miyakejima zones under the local sea-use council. Select sheltered shore entries or operator-approved boat sites for your training; rocky volcanic shorelines and currents can create hazardous returns. Clarify dive-gas and oxygen arrangements, local first response, ascent equipment, and emergency action plan. Megane Iwa arches, Gakkoshita arches and any enclosed feature must not be entered as a cave, cavern or wreck-penetration dive without proper training and explicit site permission. Mikurajima has no recreational scuba program according to its tourist office, and a scuba approach to dolphins is barred. For snorkel/freedive wildlife sessions, ask about flotation, previous illness, emergency recall signals, rapid boat reboarding, fatigue and buddy supervision. No breath-hold hyperventilation or forced depth pursuits. Neither a strong sighting record nor an experienced skipper can eliminate marine hazards.

Miyakejima has the Miyake Village Central Clinic at Kamitsuki (04994-2-0016). Its official medical page describes urgent cases transferred by Tokyo Fire Department or Self-Defense Forces helicopter to Tokyo hospitals when accepted and when weather permits. Mikurajima has a small village clinic (04994-8-2206), with urgent telephone contact described by the village; the village office is 04994-8-2121. A working dive recompression chamber on either island was not verified, so never imply immediate local hyperbaric treatment. Confirm with your operator the current evacuation route, oxygen kit and receiving facility, carry dive-specific evacuation insurance and keep a no-fly interval after scuba according to medical and dive guidance. Helicopter shuttle seat availability is not a substitute for emergency transport planning.

Mikurajima has a resident Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin population and a local conservation code. Follow certified guide and captain instructions; no touching, feeding, chasing, re-entering on unresponsive groups, approaching calves, flash or artificial underwater sound, and never use scuba to approach dolphins. Respect boat engines, neighboring boats and fishing operations. On Miyakejima do not collect lava or protected wildlife and avoid touching coral or breaking volcanic shore habitat. The active volcano has restricted zones, and Mikurajima most forest trails require certified guides. Both islands lie within protected natural landscapes; assess the live local regulations rather than assuming all scenic areas are accessible.