Miyako Island's waters are world-renowned for their exceptional clarity, diverse marine life, and unique underwater topography, making them a famous snorkeling and diving spot.

Among other thingsYabiji is also known as "Japan's Great Barrier Reef" and boasts one of the largest coral reef systems in the country..

Yabiji is designated as a national natural monument.
This time, we'll introduce you to the highlights and ways to enjoy Yabiji.

We'll answer questions like, "I've heard of Yabiji, but what kind of place is it?" and "How do I get there?", so please use this as a reference.

<Table of Contents>
▽What is Yabiji?
▽The Top 3 "Amazing" Things about Yabiji
▽ How to get to Yabiji
▽Marine life that can be seen at Yabiji
▽Where to play? Famous spots in Yabiji
▽Recommended shops for the Yabiji tour

Show all table of contents

Yabiji is

Yabiji is one of Japan's largest coral reefs, located 15 km offshore north of Miyako Island.
It takes about 45 minutes by boat from Miyako Island (Hirara Port) and about 20 minutes by boat from Ikema Island (Ikema Port) (times may vary depending on the season and tidal currents).

The name "Yabiji" comes from the fact that "eight reefs (coral reefs) overlap."It spans approximately 17 km from north to south and 6.5 km from east to west, and consists of over 100 coral reefs, centered around eight large-scale coral reefs.

Yabiji, with its abundant coral reefs, is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving tours via boat entry.Coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, and more—everything you want to see in the waters around Miyako Island is there.It is no exaggeration, though.

Additionally, there are dive sites where you can drift dive, offering a chance to encounter large marine life.

The wide variety of marine activities available, along with the beauty of the sea, is one of the defining attractions of Yabiji.
For those who want to fully enjoy the sea around Miyako Island, Yabiji is a highly recommended spot.

1. The Top 3 "Amazing" Things about Yabiji

1: Overwhelming size

Yabiji is an astonishingly large area, spanning 25 kilometers in circumference..
For example, the Imperial Palace has a circumference of approximately 5 km, and the perimeter of Tokyo Disney Resort is approximately 5.7 km. These are nowhere near the size of Yabiji.
The JR Yamanote Line is 34.5 km long, so you can imagine that anything inside the Yamanote Line fits perfectly!

Along with the Sekisei Lagoon off Ishigaki Island, it is one of the largest coral reefs in Japan.

*The Sekisei Lagoon is located in the area surrounding Taketomi Island, Kohama Island, Kuroshima Island, and Aragusuku Island.

2: Japan's best snorkeling spot

Yabiji is also known as the "phantom island."
This is because Yabiji is located in a very shallow area, and when the tide recedes during the spring tides or neap tides that occur a few times a year, Yabiji becomes visible above sea level. The sight of it appearing as if land has suddenly appeared in the middle of the sea has earned it the nickname "phantom island."

Coral reefs are home to many marine creatures, including tropical fish and sea turtles.
Yabiji, located in shallow waters, offers a close encounter with the coral itself and the creatures that inhabit the surrounding area, allowing you to more deeply experience the "underwater world" even while snorkeling.

3: Over 100 points! Each one has a name.

Yabiji is made up of eight large coral reefs and a cluster of smaller coral reefs surrounding them.
Apparently, no one has yet been able to definitively identify and understand all of the reef formations!

One of the unique features of Yabiji is that each of the more than 100 coral reefs of varying sizes that are currently known has its own name.
The names, such as "Kanamara," "Utsu," "Munagabiji," "Ifu," "Kijaka," and "Sagunanagabiji," are derived from the island's ancient dialect and describe the creatures and geographical features that are abundant there.

The coral reefs are home to a wide variety of species, including staghorn corals, brain corals, and nutmeg corals. In these coral reefs, which resemble a flower garden in the sea, you can observe damselfish, clownfish, grouper, and butterflyfish, and if you're lucky, you might even encounter a sea turtle.

The characteristics of each spot are:4. Where to play? Famous spots in YabijiThis is explained in the chapter.

How do I get there? | How to get to Yabiji

Yabiji is located about 15 km north of Miyako Island, so it can only be reached by boat.

Perhaps the diversity is still preserved precisely because it is far removed from inhabited islands.

When traveling from Miyako Island to Yabiji, it's best to use a tour organized by a diving or marine sports shop.

There are many Yabiji tours available, but the key to choosing the right tour is to first focus on the departure and arrival points.
The travel time to Yabiji varies greatly.

[Departure/Arrival Point and Travel Time to Yaebise (Yaebise) (One Way)]
① Near Miyakojima city center / 45 minutes to 1 hour
② Ikema Island / 15-30 minutes
*The required time may vary depending on the season and tides.

Especially if you're planning to visit Yabiji during the winter months from November onwards, if you're departing from near the city center, the round trip will take even longer. Therefore, if you have a rental car or transportation available, a tour departing from Ikema Island is recommended.
It would also be nice to sightsee on Ikema Island after the tour.

Marine life that can be seen at Yabiji

Yabiji is a treasure trove of coral and marine life.
For example, when it comes to corals, you can see table corals, finger corals, and comb-shaped Acropora, among others.
Table corals, some as large as dining tables, can be found in abundance near the beaches of Miyako Island—larger than what you would typically see elsewhere.

In addition, you can see various marine life, including tropical fish such as clownfish and butterflyfish, and if you're lucky, you might even encounter larger creatures like sea turtles and giant trevally.

And what's more, there have been dolphin sightings, so if you're really lucky, you might even get to see some dolphins!
Yabiji is quite large, and the types of fish you can see vary depending on the location and time of day. The instructors will carefully explain the island's features and the fish you can see. Once you go, you'll be so captivated by the beautiful underwater world that you'll want to visit again and again.

Where to play? | Famous spots in Yabiji

Next, I'll introduce some popular snorkeling spots in Yabiji.

"Do"

Du is the largest coral reef group in Yabiji, and its name means "chest" or "torso" in the island's ancient dialect.
Colorful corals spread across the entire area.It's a paradise for tropical fish such as the two-colored anthias and the Kerama anthias.

"If"

Ifu means "stomach" in the island's ancient dialect. Located in the central part of Yabiji, it offers a breathtaking view of the turquoise blue sea and sky, like something out of a painting.
There aren't many fish, but at low tide, a shallow island appears, and you can land on it.This is a spot where you can simply appreciate the beauty of the vast Yabiji stretching out before you.

"Nakagausa"

This spot is a bit deeper for beginners, but it allows you to observe fish and other marine life at your own pace.You can see rose-shaped Ryukyu chrysanthemum corals and clusters of finger corals. The schools of damselfish, which sparkle when the sunlight hits them, are a beautiful sight above the coral clusters.And then you get so engrossed in it that you forget about the time.

"Kijaka"

Kijaka is the closest coral reef to Ikema Island, and its corals are so beautiful they're often called a "flower garden." It's also a place where you're likely to encounter sea turtles.That's one of the reasons Kijaka is so popular. If you've ever thought, "I want to swim with sea turtles!", this is the place for you. By the way, I encountered four sea turtles in Kijaka! I guess I was really lucky ♡

"Yurabiji"

Yurabizi, located near KijakaThere are so many fish, and a colorful and wonderful world unfolds before you, making you feel as if you've arrived at the Dragon Palace.You can even spot sea turtles here, and it's famous not only as a snorkeling spot but also as a diving spot.

Recommended shops for Yabiji tours | Aqua Base

For those looking for a Yabiji tour, I highly recommend this shop located on Ikema Island."Aqua Base"We would like to introduce you to...!

Aqua Base's Recommended Features

① Since it departs from and returns to Ikema Island, the boat travel time is short, and the tour has a higher operating rate in winter than tours departing from the city.
During the winter, due to wind conditions, flights to and from the city may be canceled, but tours to and from Ikema Island may still operate.

② Separate hot showers for men and women, changing rooms, lockers for valuables, and powder rooms are available.
Some shops require you to meet and disperse at the port (without showers or changing rooms), or only offer cold water showers. However, Aqua Base has hot showers, changing rooms, and powder rooms, so you can head out for sightseeing immediately after visiting Yabiji. The rest area where you can relax after getting ready is also stylish.

③ Excellent rental options available. High-quality wetsuits, masks, and even warm clothing for use on board!
We have over 600 wetsuits. We also have children's equipment and prescription masks.

Aqua Base offers a variety of Yaebise tours to suit customer needs, from family-friendly options to those for serious divers.
There are three different snorkeling tour options based on tour duration, and some even include introductory diving experiences. You can choose the one that best suits your travel plans.

Also, for those who say, "I don't want to go into the sea, but I'd like to see Yabiji,""Yaebise Cruising"Is recommended.
The water is so clear that you can fully appreciate the beauty of Yabiji even from the boat.

Recommended marine tours in Miyako Island other than Yabiji

Pumpkin Cave

This limestone cave, whose entrance is only visible at low tide, has been named Pumpkin Cave because of its round, plump shape.

Currently, you can only visit Pumpkin Cave by joining a tour operated by a specific company that has signed an environmental conservation agreement. The tour also includes sea kayaking and caving, making it a unique marine spot in Miyako Island where you can enjoy a mini-adventure.

Sea turtle tour

In Miyako Island, there are several spots where you can encounter sea turtles even with beach entry. Joining a tour will increase your chances of seeing them!

Others appear only at low tide.Uni Beach Landing Tour,The Blue Grotto on Irabu IslandMiyako Island offers plenty of ways to enjoy the sea!

Summary

Floating and bobbing on the vast, sparkling blue sea. This overwhelming scale is unique to Yaebise.
If you look into the ocean, you'll find that there are many shallow areas, so you can observe various creatures up close even while snorkeling.
For your trip to Miyako Island, why not visit "Yabiji" and have a higher-class snorkeling experience?

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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