Things to do · Destination Guide
Oceanic drift diving, seasonal hammerheads and a puzzling submerged rock formation at Japan's western edge.
Pick an activity mode to compare signature sites, skill fit, and gear planning notes before you lock your trip.
Yonaguni Diving Service, Sou-Wes and La Mer Bleue publish active island boat diving. Classic Irizaki dives are pelagic searches in strong current; the Monument and rock formations are separate, weather-sensitive outings. Local drift procedures; Kubura operator.
Irizaki / Cape Irizaki
The best-established winter hammerhead search area.
Yonaguni Monument / Iseki Point
Stepped underwater geological scenery off the south coast.
Palace of Light / Hikari no Kyuden
A south-western boat site with sunlit rock openings and arches described by a local operator.
Daiyati / Double Arch
Rock arches and varied underwater relief; operator reports some relatively lower-current conditions but only guides can confirm on the day.
Sabachi
Anemones, clownfish and schooling reef fish on a wall-like reef, described as a calmer dive alternative.
Umahana W Arch
Arches, reef fish and small-life photography in an operator-described local day-boat site.
Dannu Drop
Dramatic drop-off with both reef fish and pelagic possibilities.
Operator Checklist
Ask the shop for a site-specific maximum depth, current plan, number of boats and in-water instructor ratio; verify drift, camera and SMB expectations. YDS publishes high-season restrictions and separate summer introductory scuba; another shop's acceptance does not override local safety conditions. If the proposed route includes a swim-through, tunnel, cavern or enclosed space, require a specific open-water exit or appropriate overhead training rather than assuming the name is harmless. Carry a certification card and recent log. Winter terms; Rates and kit. Date-specific availability: Yonaguni Diving Service states it is closed for both diving and lodging October 13 to November 11, 2026. This is a named business closure, not an islandwide shutdown. Other operators require direct confirmation; do not extrapolate the closure into 2027. YDS October-November 2026 closure.
Conditions Fallback
Avoid