Beach & Island

Yabiji Reef

📍 Yabiji reef, 5-22 km north of Ikema Island, Miyako, Okinawa, Japan

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4.3/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: Japan, Okinawa
Category: Beach & Island
Duration: Half a day
Opening Hours: Daily 0:00-24:00 · Reef reached by boat
Ticket Price: Adult: No separate ticket; charged with the dive trip · Outings are run by dive shops in Miyako
Address: Yabiji reef, 5-22 km north of Ikema Island, Miyako, Okinawa, Japan
Coordinates: 25.0000, 125.2670

Introduction

Yabiji is the largest coral reef complex in Japan, a cluster of more than a hundred reefs lying 5 to 22 km north of Ikema Island in Miyako, Okinawa, designated a Natural Monument and Place of Scenic Beauty in March 2013. It stretches about 17 km north to south and 6.5 km east to west, built on eight large dry reefs surrounded by table reefs, and many of the smaller reefs are named after parts of the body — head, torso, stomach — or after animals such as the parrotfish. Usually submerged, the reef flats surface at the spring low tides around the third day of the third lunar month, earning the name 'phantom continent'. The British ship Providence was wrecked here in 1797.

✨ Highlights

Japan's largest reef

More than a hundred reefs with a total area of roughly a third of Miyako Island

Eight main reefs

The Main Reef comprises eight large dry reefs with parallel rows of table reefs around them

Phantom continent

At the spring low tides around the third day of the third lunar month the flats emerge as islands

Natural Monument

Designated a Natural Monument and Place of Scenic Beauty of Japan in March 2013

Diving mecca

Manta rays from January to March, and reef fish, dogtooth tuna and coral spawning from April to October

The Providence

A British ship was wrecked on the reef in 1797, which is why Western charts call it Providence Reef

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：Sea north of Ikema Island, Miyako, Okinawa

→Time needed：Half a day

→Best time：Low tide for exposed flats; April to October for water temperature

→How to visit：On a dive or snorkelling boat trip

→Contact：Tel 0980-72-3751 (Yabiji)

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday	0:00-24:00
Tuesday	0:00-24:00
Wednesday	0:00-24:00
Thursday	0:00-24:00
Friday	0:00-24:00
Saturday	0:00-24:00
Sunday	0:00-24:00

Reef reached by boat

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	No separate ticket; charged with the dive trip

Outings are run by dive shops in Miyako

Transportation

Bus

About 30 minutes by boat, arranged by dive shops

Driving/Parking

No road access; boats are arranged by dive shops

Note

The exact area depends on the tide and the day's conditions

💡 Tips

• There is no road or fixed pier — the reef is only reachable on a dive or snorkelling trip out of Miyako

• The boat ride takes about 30 minutes, so prepare for seasickness and take medication in advance

• The flats emerge most often around the third day of the third lunar month, so check the tide table

• The coral is fragile: never stand on, tread on or touch it

• April to October brings reef fish, dogtooth tuna and coral spawning; winter is cooler but good for manta rays

• If you are prone to seasickness, prepare in advance as the boats usually carry tablets and water

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Yabiji Reef?

Monday: 0:00-24:00; Tuesday: 0:00-24:00; Wednesday: 0:00-24:00; Thursday: 0:00-24:00; Friday: 0:00-24:00; Saturday: 0:00-24:00; Sunday: 0:00-24:00; Reef reached by boat

How much is the admission for Yabiji Reef?

Adult: No separate ticket; charged with the dive trip; Outings are run by dive shops in Miyako

Any practical tips for visiting Yabiji Reef?

There is no road or fixed pier — the reef is only reachable on a dive or snorkelling trip out of Miyako The boat ride takes about 30 minutes, so prepare for seasickness and take medication in advance