Miyako Islands
Japan · Ryukyu Islands
The Miyako Islands lie in Okinawa prefecture between the main Okinawa island and the Yaeyama group, sheltering Yabiji — Japan's largest coral reef — alongside crystalline blue caves and reliable manta ray cleaning stations. Exceptional water clarity and consistent currents draw pelagic species throughout the warmer months.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Live science signals for this reef are still being gathered.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Fishing
Open to fishing, and the water is fairly quiet.
Sources · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
What you will see
18 species across the dive sites here
Green Sea Turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Yabiji Reef
Least concern
Tawny Hermit Crab
Seen 1 month ago
at Irabu Blue Cave
Ryukyu Scops-Owl
Seen 2 months ago
at Yabiji Reef
Near threatened
Acusta despecta
Seen 4 months ago
at Yabiji Reef
Chinese Sea Krait
Seen 8 months ago
at Yabiji Reef
Near threatened
Whitetip Reef Shark
Seen 8 months ago
at Miyako Manta Scramble
Vulnerable
Pacific Blue Crab
Seen 9 months ago
at Irabu Blue Cave
Coconut Crab
Seen 12 months ago
at Yabiji Reef
Vulnerable
Giant Moray
Seen Apr 2025
at Irabu Blue Cave
Least concern
Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse
Seen year round
at Miyako Manta Scramble
Least concern
Bumphead Parrotfish
Seen year round
at Yabiji Reef
Vulnerable
Clearfin Lionfish
Seen year round
at Irabu Blue Cave
Least concern
Flatback Mud Crab
Seen year round
at Tori-Ike Connected Lakes
Humphead Wrasse
Seen year round
at Yabiji Reef
Endangered
Mangrove Snapper
Seen year round
at Tori-Ike Connected Lakes
Least concern
Moon Jellyfish
Seen year round
at Tori-Ike Connected Lakes
Reef Manta Ray
Seen year round
at Miyako Manta Scramble
Vulnerable
Yellowback Fusilier
Seen year round
at Irabu Blue Cave
Least concern
Dive sites
Yabiji Reef
green sea turtle · bumphead parrotfish · humphead wrasse · ryukyu scops-owl
Irabu Blue Cave
clearfin lionfish · giant moray · yellowback fusilier · tawny hermit crab
Miyako Manta Scramble
reef manta ray · bluestreak cleaner wrasse · whitetip reef shark · tawny hermit crab
Tori-Ike Connected Lakes
moon jellyfish · mangrove snapper · flatback mud crab · tawny hermit crab