Nanamata Arch
七又アーチ24°44′ N 125°23′ EDiveDive: intermediate
Nanamata Arch is a winter terrain dive through stacked arches off Miyako's south coast, and Marea Miyakojima rates it for Advanced Open Water divers with a maximum depth of 11–18 m.
Photo Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
Marea Miyakojima calls Nanamata Arch the signature terrain dive of the south coast and compares it to a secret base. You swim into a big opening in the cliff and through overlapping arches, then turn to see blue light coming through the rock behind you. It rates the site for Advanced Open Water divers with a maximum depth of 11–18 m.
The south coast is the winter area, run from December to March, so this dive and its neighbours Gao and Ushi-san Arigato fill the schedule when the north wind closes the other side. Above the site, the raised-reef cliffs of the Nanamata coast stand about 30 m high west of Higashi-Hennazaki, and a lookout at Muigaa looks down on them.
Before you swim
- Overhead environment inside the arches; stay with the guide
December to March
Marea Miyakojima puts March water at 21–23 °C and recommends at least a 5 mm wetsuit with a hooded vest; in early March 2026 it measured 21 °C where fresh water mixes in at Toriike. Marea runs the south-coast area from December to March, so this is one of the sites built for a winter trip.
Diving · intermediate
11–18 m
A large opening in the south-coast cliff leads into stacked arches; turn back toward the entrance and blue light shines through the gaps in the rock.
Dive with a local shop.
Our ratings
- Quiet
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- The pin marks the Nanamata coast lookout; the dive lies off that shore.
- Walk to the Muigaa lookout on a non-diving day to see the cliffs from above.
FAQ
Quick answers about Nanamata Archよくある質問
When can you dive Nanamata Arch?
From December to March. Marea Miyakojima runs Miyako's south-coast area in winter.
How deep is Nanamata Arch?
Marea Miyakojima lists a maximum depth of 11–18 m for Nanamata Arch.
Is Nanamata Arch worth visiting in winter?
Marea Miyakojima puts March water at 21–23 °C and recommends at least a 5 mm wetsuit with a hooded vest; in early March 2026 it measured 21 °C where fresh water mixes in at Toriike. Marea runs the south-coast area from December to March, so this is one of the sites built for a winter trip.
Is Nanamata Arch safe?
Know these before you swim at Nanamata Arch: overhead environment inside the arches; stay with the guide.
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