The Devil’s Palace

This dive site, known as The Devil’s Palace, is a captivating cavern dive located off the western part of Shimoji Island, a 30-minute boat ride from Miyako Island. Divers descend into a dramatic crevasse, entering the main cavern through an opening at approximately 15 meters. The dive involves navigating through intricate, dark, and narrow passageways and arches, offering a unique exploration of an overhead environment. The caverns and surrounding areas are home to a rich variety of marine life. Macro enthusiasts will delight in spotting creatures like pinecone saucers, red scorpionfish, dandelionfish, and striped mantis shrimp, which burrow within the rocky structures. Japanese pygmy seahorses and fritillary shrimps are also commonly found. Occasionally, larger pelagic species such as majestic green turtles, white tip sharks, and even graceful sea mantas can be encountered in the deeper waters. The best time to visit Miyako Island for diving is generally during the warmer months from May to October, offering optimal conditions with calmer seas and excellent visibility, though diving is possible year-round. This advanced dive demands superior buoyancy control and comfort in overhead environments. Due to its challenging nature, including narrow and dark passages at depth, The Devil's Palace is not suitable for snorkeling or freediving.