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Miyako Islands

Limestone arches, shifting island dive routes, clear-water snorkeling and Irabu road trips

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Destination Guide Sources For Miyako Islands

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

38 sources • Updated Nov 3, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Nov 3, 2026.

Japan National Tourism Organization, Miyakojima diving - Miyako limestone setting, Yabiji reef system, seasonal wind-led Irabu/Shimoji site selection, year-round nudibranchs and tropical reef life; supports scuba, seasons, wildlife.
Okinawa tourism, Miyako Islands diving site profiles - Documents boat-access W-Arch, Satans Palace, Antoni Gaudi and Toriike, with published depths, current and level distinctions; depth and Advanced labels are not a substitute for overhead training.
Okinawa tourism, Miyako Islands overview - Confirms island cluster, local reef activities, bridges and accommodations; scope is only Miyako, Irabu, Shimoji and accessed Yabiji.
Okinawa tourism, Miyako Island - Supports Aragusuku and Shigira snorkel beaches, Yonaha Maehama, cape, bridges, food and June-August mango season, and plane access.
Okinawa tourism, Irabu Island - Supports Irabu/Shimoji diving, Hirara day-boat departures, Irabu bridge, Sarahama, Toguchinohama and Makiyama.
Okinawa tourism, Shimoji Island - Identifies Toriike overhead tunnels, limited land access, Irabu road connection, no ferry, and explicit no-swimming rule at 17END.
Japan Meteorological Agency, Miyakojima climate - Primary climate normal and season descriptions: rainy season around May 10 to June 21, summer-autumn typhoons, cooler January-February, frequent strong typhoons around September.
Japan Meteorological Agency, Okinawa seasonal patterns - Confirms spring comfort, June rainy-season transition, late summer and September storm risk, fall comfort and winter seasonal winds.
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Yabiji registered heritage - Verifies Yabiji designated national Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, not a general marine-park access-ticket regime.
Miyakojima City, Yabiji natural heritage and surrounding island geography - Municipal geography identifies the whole Yabiji reef landscape north of Ikema, including the wider reef/islet unit. This supports regional scope, not boat availability, landing permission or a provider operating calendar.
Miyakojima Churaumi Council, member shops - Identifies local dive operators and Ikema Yabiji member businesses, but association membership alone does not verify current legal registration or vessel availability.
Miyakojima Churaumi Council, conservation contribution - Clarifies voluntary JPY 500 per person per sea-activity day paid in cash at participating shops; funds reef work and mooring buoys; not a statutory marine park fee.
Miyakojima Churaumi Council, diver safety guide - Local marine industry guidance for buddy diving, planning, emergency oxygen, rescue numbers, conservative flight intervals and ocean protection.
Irabujima Sumankaikuu dive operator, prices and winter notice - Current local day-boat and introductory dive supply and advertised example pricing; business lists seasonal closure Dec 24 2026-Jan 31 2027, Feb by inquiry; prices change.
SUNSEA Miyako, AIDA freediving courses - Evidence of actual AIDA 1-4 training and supervised practice, eligibility and weather-dependent site changes; 2025 dated class schedule is not current availability.
WILDBLUE Miyako, AIDA freediving courses - Second local AIDA 2-4 teaching signal, health screening, entry prerequisites and operator-selected tide/sea conditions; confirm 2026 dates directly.
Okinawa Prefectural Police, amended water safety procedures 2026 - Official updated water-safety ordinance procedures effective April 1 2026 for applicable marine leisure businesses; requires checking current operator notification.
Okinawa Prefectural Police, notified operator lists - Official October 27 2026 updates of notified scuba, snorkeling and marine activity business lists; operator claims should be checked here before booking.
Okinawa tourism, enjoying Okinawa safely - Official swimming, snorkel and diving safety advice and emergency numbers 118 coast guard, 119 ambulance and 110 police.
PADI, Cavern Diver training - Shows cavern diving requires dedicated qualifications and remains within the light zone; ordinary Advanced certification alone does not authorize unrestricted overhead penetration.
PADI, open water versus overhead guidance - Explains difference between open-water, controlled daylight-zone cavern activities and cave penetration beyond training, with major hazard warning; general principle, not Miyako permits.
Shimatabi, 2026 Pumpkin Cave access agreement - 2026 local tour provider reports a conservation-use agreement requiring certified guide access rather than private entries to Bora Kubakundai/Pumpkin Cave; local confirmation required.
Miyakojima Tourism Association, air access - Airport MMY/SHI and 2026 marketed routes, seasonal Fukuoka through Oct 24 2026, scheduled service subject to airline changes.
Miyako Shimojishima Airport, route notices - Official notice of 2026-27 winter schedule and overseas links, SHI ground transport; book from live timetable.
Skymark, Shimojishima airport transport - Official ~30-minute public market/Hirara shuttle and approximately 45-minute airport link estimates; subject to flight-adapted bus timetable.
Okinawa tourism, rental driving requirements - Valid Japanese driving credentials or Geneva Convention international driving permit with passport and home license; rental car useful on connected islands.
Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, short-stay visa exemptions - Nationality-dependent visa exemptions; many eligible visitors up to 90 days; requirements may change.
Okinawa tourism, electricity and travel practicalities - Okinawa 100V AC, 60Hz, Type A two-pin plugs and local connectivity advice.
Okinawa tourism, frequently asked questions - No normal tipping in Japan; electricity and emergency numbers.
Divers Alert Network, flying after diving - DAN guidance of at least 12h single no-decompression dive and 18h repetitive/multiday dives, with longer intervals for decompression profiles; not a zero-risk guarantee.
Okinawa Prefectural Miyako Hospital, services - Current emergency-care listing and main hospital contact 0980-72-3151; professional ambulance triage via 119.
Miyakojima Tokushukai Hospital, hyperbaric equipment - Hospital lists a hyperbaric oxygen unit and 0980-73-1100; chamber staffing, recompression protocols and after-hours capability must be confirmed by emergency services.
JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline - 24/7 visitor assistance number 050-3816-2787, English Chinese and Korean; not a replacement for emergency response.
Shigira Seven Miles Resort, Gold Onsen - Official active onsen and pools at Ueno on Miyako; confirm access and hours before traveling.
Eco Guide Cafe Miyako, No Touch Coral rules - Local operator conservation code: do not stand, walk on, kick or touch reef; do not feed wildlife.
Miyakojima City, lodging tax ordinance and guidance - Official adopted combined prefectural and municipal lodging tax effective Feb 1 2027: 2% of per-person per-night room-only amount rounded down to JPY 1,000 units, capped at JPY 2,000 per person per night; paid through accommodation, with specified exemptions.
Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau, prefectural lodging tax notice - Confirms Okinawa prefectural lodging-tax collection starts February 1, 2027, incorporated into the Miyakojima combined rate.
Destination hero photo by Shino Nakamura - Unsplash License. Photographer profile: https://unsplash.com/@shinonk | Location: Irabu Island, Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan