Yabiji Reef
Okinawa · Japan
A remote seamount system in the Miyako group accessible only by liveaboard, where upwellings from the deep channel feed dense bait balls that draw scalloped hammerhead schools from May through September. Drift conditions are strong and the site demands calm water, good buoyancy, and comfort in open blue water far from shore.
Conditions
Depth
10 to 40 m
Advanced depths
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
20 to 35 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
21 to 31°C
Tropical wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 |
| Vis (m) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Osprey
Last confirmed Jan 17, 2025 · 1 records
Rare
Now and then
Eurasian Kestrel
Last confirmed Jan 17, 2025 · 1 records
Rare
Now and then
Scalloped hammerhead
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Oceanic whitetip shark
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Giant manta ray
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Honeycomb Grouper
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear