Island Expert
アイランドエキスパートDiveMiyako-jima
Island Expert is a Hirara dive and snorkel shop whose sea turtle search snorkel runs only from December to April, and it charges ¥16,500 for two boat dives in 2026 with hotel pickup.
Photo Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
The winter turtle snorkel is the reason to pick this shop for a February trip. Island Expert takes guests to a beach where it says turtles have settled, and the summer wind direction keeps the shop away from it from May to November. It puts the encounter rate at 90%, and the shop says clownfish and healthy coral share the site.
For divers there's an arrival-day boat trip that collects you from the airport at 10:00, which turns a travel day into two dives. Hotel pickups are part of the beach dives. Phone 0980-73-7060 for bookings inside two days.
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter sea turtle search snorkelAges 8 and up; morning and afternoon sessions. The shop says it meets turtles nine times in ten at a beach that summer winds make hard to reach. Wetsuit rental ¥500, recommended in winter. The page does not state a separate price; the shop's beach snorkel course costs ¥6,000 per adult (2026). | – | 2.5 hr | December to April only |
| Clownfish and coral beach snorkel2026 price; child ¥5,000, ages 8 and up. Mask, fins, rash guard and life jacket included. | ¥6,000 / adult | 2.5 hr | Year-round |
| Two boat fun dives2026 price; extra dive ¥6,500. Fuel surcharge ¥1,000 a day since 1 April 2026, plus the ¥500 Miyako reef contribution. | ¥16,500 / adult | Morning, boat leaves 8:30 | Year-round |
| Arrival-day two boat dives with airport pickup2026 price; the shop may send a taxi for the airport leg. | ¥18,700 / adult | From 10:00 airport pickup | Year-round |
| Beach discover scuba2026 price; hotel pickup at 8:30 or 13:30. A second dive adds ¥6,500. | ¥11,000 / adult | About 3.5 hr with pickup | Year-round |
FAQ
Quick answers about Island Expertよくある質問
Can you snorkel with sea turtles on Miyako in winter?
Yes. Island Expert runs a sea turtle search snorkel from December to April at a beach it says is hard to reach in summer winds, and it reports a 90% encounter rate. The shop recommends renting a ¥500 wetsuit for the cooler water.
Can you dive on your arrival day in Miyako?
Yes. Island Expert's arrival-day package picks you up from the airport at 10:00 for two boat dives, at ¥18,700 in 2026.
How much does Island Expert charge?
Island Expert lists Clownfish and coral beach snorkel from ¥6,000 per adult (2.5 hr).
Does Island Expert speak English?
Island Expert works in Japanese.
Is Island Expert open in winter?
Island Expert: Winter is when Island Expert runs its sea turtle search snorkel, from December to April, at a beach it says the summer wind direction keeps off-limits. The shop suggests a wetsuit for the cooler water.