Yabiji (Yaebishi)
八重干瀬25°01′ N 125°17′ ESnorkelDive: intermediate
Yabiji is a system of more than 100 reefs that stretches 17 km north to south off Ikema; it is a national Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, and tour boats reach it from Ikema port between spring and summer.
Yabiji lies 5–22 km north of Ikema and runs about 17 km north to south and 6.5 km east to west. Eight large reefs anchor it among many smaller ones, and about 130 of them carry local names. At the biggest spring tides parts of it rise above the sea, and the largest tide of the year falls on the third day of the third lunar month, when islanders hold the Sanitsu purification. It became a national Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument on 27 March 2013.
Landing tours, which carried 2,000 to 3,000 people a year onto the exposed reef, ended in 2014, and today's cruise tours do not let anyone land. Snorkel and dive boats leave from Ikema port. Keep your feet off the coral and your hands to yourself, as the tourism association asks.
Before you swim
- Do not stand on, break or touch the coral
- Open-ocean reef far from shore; only go with a licensed operator
December to March
The tourism association says tours do not run in winter, when the north wind blows, so Yabiji is out of reach on a February trip.
Snorkelling · 5/5
Entry From the tour boat
More than 100 reefs with branching and table corals; white-sand patches with schools of cardinalfish and young fusiliers
Diving · intermediate
11–30 m
Marea Miyakojima dives White City (maximum 19–30 m) and White Garden (maximum 11–18 m) on the reef from May to September.
Dive with a local shop.
Our ratings
- Snorkelling
- Quiet
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- Plan Yabiji for a summer trip, and put the Shimoji dives on a winter list.
- Ikema Shokudo in the Yabiji Center at the port serves fish lunches after the boat.
FAQ
Quick answers about Yabiji (Yaebishi)よくある質問
Can you walk on Yabiji?
No. Landing tours on Yabiji ended in 2014, and today's tours do not allow anyone onto the reef.
Can you visit Yabiji in winter?
No. The Miyako Island Tourism Association says Yabiji tours do not run in winter when the north wind blows.
How do you get to Yabiji?
Join a snorkel or glass-bottom boat tour from Ikema port. The ride takes about 20 minutes.
Can you swim at Yabiji (Yaebishi)?
Yabiji (Yaebishi): Tours from spring to summer; cruise tours run April to August around the spring tides.
Is Yabiji (Yaebishi) good for snorkelling?
We rate the snorkelling at Yabiji (Yaebishi) 5 out of 5. More than 100 reefs with branching and table corals; white-sand patches with schools of cardinalfish and young fusiliers. Entry: from the tour boat.
Book it
Line up the trip around Yabiji (Yaebishi)
Some of these links pay us a commission. It costs you nothing and keeps the guide independent.