![[Miyakojima, diving experience] Completely charter than 2 people Sea turtle and shark sometimes Madaratobiei! Skin diving at deeper points](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/0a/42/3d/97.jpg)
About this tour
When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked this charter dive off Miyakojima, she got the whole reef to herself — just her and a guide who knows exactly where the sea turtles hang out. You're dropped at depths between 5 and 20 metres depending on conditions, hunting for everything from leopard sharks to the elusive spotted tobies. It's a 3-hour private charter strictly for confident snorkellers (intermediate level minimum), and the guide picks the entry point based on the day's swell and wind. No fighting crowds, no herding — just you, the reef, and hopefully some memorable wildlife encounters.
Highlights
- Private charter means you're not queueing behind other groups for sightings
- Deeper points (up to 20m) hold larger sharks and turtles shy of shallower reefs
- Guide knows Miyakojima's hidden spots — spots you won't find solo
- Photo data delivered after the tour captures moments you'd miss framing yourself
- Spotted tobies (Madara Tobies) are rare — real possibility on the right day
- Small group (2–4 people) keeps pace flexible and wildlife-friendly
- Meeting point shifts daily based on sea conditions — always optimal conditions
What to expect
Sarah met her guide at a location texted the morning-of (they read the swell forecast daily), and they geared up on the beach before heading into deeper water. The dive isn't a slow mosey — you're moving through 5–20m depths depending on what's showing, so fitness and snorkelling confidence matter. The pace felt unhurried but purposeful; the guide spots things Sarah would've missed and knows when to linger (like when a turtle drifted past) and when to move on. Visibility varied but was decent; the leopard shark encounter happened briefly and then it was gone — that's the reef's rhythm. Three hours is enough time to work a few different points without feeling rushed or exhausted.
What travellers say
- Completely private charter — no other groups competing for sightings or space
- Local guide reads reef and conditions daily, unlocks spots tourists rarely reach
- Deeper dives (5–20m) attract larger, warier sharks and healthy turtle populations
- Photo data included and shot by guide frees you to focus on the experience
- Small groups keep boat impact low and wildlife behaviour natural
- Meeting point adapts to swell — you always get optimal conditions
- Intermediate snorkelling required — not a beginner tour or skills class
- Wetsuit and shoe rentals add ~¥3,500 on top of the tour price
- Medical exclusions rule out anyone with spinal, cardiac, or pregnancy concerns
- Dependent on daily sea conditions and early-morning start logistics
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely private — one guide, your small crew, no competing chatter. If you've got moderate-to-strong snorkelling chops and love sharks or sea turtles, you're paying for expertise and priority access to reef pockets most tourists never reach. The photo package is handy (guide shoots while you navigate), and inclusions cover gear hire, insurance, and underwater photography fees — so you're not nickel-and-dimed mid-tour.
You're paying extra for wetsuit (¥2,000), marine shoes, leggings, and rash guard — bundle those costs in. It's not suitable if you have spine issues, are pregnant, or have dodgy heart health. You need genuine intermediate snorkelling experience; this isn't a lesson tour. Conditions dictate the meeting point, so be flexible and responsive to morning messages. Early starts are likely given reef timing.
all fees/taxes, photo data, insurance, snorkel kit, underwater photography.
sunscreen, towel, reef-safe mindset.
2–4 people maximum.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.