Mini Grotto

★★★★☆ (34)

Mini-Grotto on Shimoji Island, Okinawa, is a unique cave dive where you swim through an underwater tunnel and surface in a hidden pond. With a max depth of 20m, it’s suitable for all levels. Natural light fills the cave, and the return route passes “Bent’s Mark,” adding an adventurous twist.

Mini-Grotto hosts horse mackerel and snappers, sand dwellers like sea eels and seahorses, plus mimic species such as razor fish and armadillo fish.

Dive Activity

Dive Sites Nearby

SSI Service Center Japan, 101-0051 Chiyoda-ku
Kinme Triangle (★4.4)

Kinme Triangle (★4.4)

Hateruma Island is south of Iriomote Island. You can go there by ferry from Ishigaki Island, but you can also get there from Iriomote Island to dive. There are no buses or signals on the island. All the dives are boat dives. The appeal of Hateruma is its high clarity, sometimes exceeding 50 meters, and you can enjoy the beautiful blue sea that flows through the pure white sand. There are many sandy points on the northwest shore and drop-off points and large migratory fishes on the east shore.
SSI Service Center Japan, 101-0051 Chiyoda-ku
Ogan (★4.3)

Ogan (★4.3)

There is an uninhabited island about 15km southwest from the southern end of Iriomote Island, which is called Ogan. About 1 hour by boat from Iriomote Island. The famous “Eastern Root“ is a dynamic terrain with huge hidden roots rising from the seafloor at a depth of 40 meters. This is an advanced spot due to the fast current.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Panari Big Corner (★4.7)

Panari Big Corner (★4.7)

Panari Big Corner, south of Aragusuku Island in Okinawa, is a manta ray hotspot discovered in 2016. With shallow cleaning stations around 5m deep, it’s beginner-friendly—though currents can be strong. Lucky divers may spot rare black manta rays, making it a must-visit for manta lovers.
Mares
Kuroshima V-Drop (★4.1)

Kuroshima V-Drop (★4.1)

Kuroshima V Drop is a typical dive site located in Kuroshima, Taketomi Town, Okinawa Prefecture. It is characterized by a dynamic drop-off with a V-shaped reef cut into it. 5m~30m deep, it is known for schools of manta rays, sea turtles and migratory fish, especially in winter.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Kinmenone (★3.9)

Kinmenone (★3.9)

Kuroshima is located in the southwestern part of Ishigaki Island. It takes about 30 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island. The water depth is about 17 meters. There's no flow and it's fun for beginners. The main part of the site is a root where there is a school of yellow-flanked coral reef fish and the density of fish shadows is overwhelming. Many carnivorous fish, including big groupers, have gathered to take advantage of this. Garden eels can also be seen in the sandy areas along the way.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Kanokawa Nakanose (★4.5)

Kanokawa Nakanose (★4.5)

Deer River and Nakanose in southern Iriomote Island are calm-current sites with depths up to 30m, famous for high manta ray sightings from winter to spring. Lush coral gardens, including huge thistle corals, host tropical fish, while summer brings schools of snappers, mud rays, and barracudas.
Aqualung
Kuroshima Nakamoto Cave (★4.5)

Kuroshima Nakamoto Cave (★4.5)

Nakamoto Cave on Kuroshima Island, Okinawa, offers depths of 10–23m with gentle currents, ideal for beginners. Its stunning light and topography house diverse life, including red-crowned crane fish, blue-spotted dolphinfish, and blue-green gobies, appealing to both scenery and marine life lovers.
Mares
Taketomi South Potato Rock (★3.9)

Taketomi South Potato Rock (★3.9)

Taketomi Minami Potato Root on Taketomi Island is a calm sandy site about 13m deep, named for its colony of common shikoro corals. Schools of snappers, devilfish, and many gobies thrive here. In winter, common snapper spawning can be seen. Beginners can enjoy its tropical scenery and rich marine life.
SSI Service Center Japan, 101-0051 Chiyoda-ku
Kohamajima Island (★4.0)

Kohamajima Island (★4.0)

This is a small island in the east of Iriomote Island, about 16km in circumference. There is a luxury resort hotel on the island. Between this island and Iriomote Island is the Yonara Waterway. There are about 400 kinds of colorful coral such as table coral and eda coral around the island, and the tropical fishes are very beautiful. There are several points in the Yonara Waterway where you can encounter manta rays.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Sakuraguchi (★4.4)

Sakuraguchi (★4.4)

Sakuraguchi in southern Ishigaki is just 5 minutes by boat from port and sheltered from north winds, making it ideal year-round for all levels. With depths of 5–15m, its shallows host coral colonies and colorful fish like bigeye sunfish and anemonefish.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Taketomi Island UW Hotspring (★4.0)

Taketomi Island UW Hotspring (★4.0)

This spot is located on the north side of Taketomi Island, about 15 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island. There are several holes where bubbles gush out of the mortar-shaped sand at a depth of 20 meters. This is a unique spot where hot springs spring water gushes.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Kaiho Sports Club (★4.8)

Kaiho Sports Club (★4.8)

Kaiho Sports Club in Shinkawa, Ishigaki, is the island’s only swimming school and gym. It also hosts freediving events, including the Pool Freediving CUP on April 13, 2024. The facility promotes health, improves swimming skills, and helps popularize freediving in the community.
Aqualung
Yonara Channel (★4.4)

Yonara Channel (★4.4)

Yonara Channel passes between Iriomote Island and Kohama Island, which is 6km long and about 500 to 900m wide. The current is constant and at times very strong. This is always a drift dive at depths of 9 to 30 meters.
Scubapro
Three Rocks (★4.5)

Three Rocks (★4.5)

Mitsuishi in Yaeyama, Okinawa, near Ishigaki Island, features three large rocks surrounded by vibrant corals, with Debasumeri and scorpionfish adding color. The reef and sandy bottom host rich macro life like nudibranchs and frogfish, while occasional manta rays make this a serene yet exciting dive site.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
IOT (★4.3)

IOT (★4.3)

Iriomote Island is called the "Galapagos of the East. About 90% of the island is covered with virgin forest. There are mountains 300 to 400 meters high, more than 40 rivers and many waterfalls. Therefore, people are interested in the island not only for diving but also for visiting nature on land. Underwater there are many fish and there is a possibility to see manta rays in Iriomote Island.
DING-CIN J. (#1730902)
Osaki Batfish Reef (★4.3)

Osaki Batfish Reef (★4.3)

Osaki Akakuri no Nebu on Ishigaki Island offers 10–20m depths and high chances of spotting large schools of red clownfish around its root. Giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and green turtles are common, with roots bustling with small fish and appealing topography to explore.
Tao L. (#4159489)
Osaki Lion Fish Palace (★4.2)

Osaki Lion Fish Palace (★4.2)

Osaki Minocasago Palace in western Ishigaki features roots rising from sand at 5–30m, home to schools of scorpionfish and leaf scorpionfish. Shallows host snapper schools, while garden eels and gobies inhabit the sandy bottom, making it a rich and diverse dive site.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Osaki Hanagoi Reef (★4.4)

Osaki Hanagoi Reef (★4.4)

Osaki Hanagoi Reef in Ishigaki offers depths from 5–35m with diverse terrain. Shallows feature vibrant yellow corals and schools of red snappers, with spawning scenes in early spring. A signature Ishigaki site, it’s enjoyed by both beginners and advanced divers year-round.
Mares
Nagura Coral Garden (★4.3)

Nagura Coral Garden (★4.3)

Nagura Coral Garden in Nagura Bay, Ishigaki Island, boasts Japan’s richest coral diversity and density. With stunning coral and table coral scenery, calm currents, and clear water, it’s ideal for all levels. The best season is May to October for peak visibility and beauty.
Aqualung
Yonaguni Monument (★4.1)

Yonaguni Monument (★4.1)

The Underwater Ruins were discovered by a local diver in 1986 and is a popular diving spot in Yonaguni along with hammerhead sharks. It’s about 15 minutes from the port. A huge staircase-shaped wall spans about 250m east-west and 150m north-south to form the ruins.
Mares
Hammerhead Rock (★4.2)

Hammerhead Rock (★4.2)

The westernmost island in Japan. It’s closer to Taiwan than Ishigaki Island. It takes about 45 minutes from Ishigaki Island to reach by plane. The highlight of this island is the high chance of seeing hammerhead sharks. Among them, this is the point where the rocks, like buildings, stand vertically from the bottom of the sea at a depth of 35 meters.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Crystal Beach (★4.3)

Crystal Beach (★4.3)

Crystal Beach (Yamahara Beach) in Kabira, Ishigaki, is a secluded site with natural crystal deposits from Mt. Omotodake’s river. Its unspoiled waters host coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles. Access is via a steep slope with limited facilities, so preparation and caution are essential.
Mares
Oganzaki Lighthouse (★4.3)

Oganzaki Lighthouse (★4.3)

Under the Gokamizaki Lighthouse on western Ishigaki features complex topography with large and small roots from 10m depth and maze-like channels. Migratory fish like rock cod are common, alongside sunlit arches and caves, making it a favorite spot for topography lovers.
Mares
Sakieda Maze (★4.4)

Sakieda Maze (★4.4)

Sakieda Maze in Kabira, Ishigaki, features complex reefs with arches and tunnels lit by sunlight, creating magical views. With depths of 3–15m and little current, it’s beginner-friendly. Shallow coral reefs teem with marine life, including clownfish and spiny dogfish.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Sakieda Big Arch (★4.2)

Sakieda Big Arch (★4.2)

Sakieda Big Arch in Kabira, western Ishigaki, features a massive 3-meter-high arch that can fit a boat. Sunlight beams through ceiling cracks, creating a magical “shower of light” effect. With gentle currents and depths of 12–20m, it’s perfect for both beginner and experienced divers.