Antoniogaudei - Ishigaki & Yaeyama

Antoniogaudei is one of those dives that sticks with you, a genuinely unique experience in Ishigaki. We love it for the sheer scale of the coral structures, reminiscent of a submerged cathedral. Picture massive brain root corals forming arches and tunnels, light filtering through the gaps creating these incredible shafts. It’s not about pelagics here, though you'll spot plenty of speckled groupers tucked into the overhangs and the usual reef fish darting between the staghorn and table corals. Our favourite moment is always navigating through the tighter sections, feeling the cool water against your skin as you emerge into a wider chamber absolutely covered in honeycomb and pachyseris corals. You’ll definitely want a good dive light to appreciate the colours, especially if you’re searching for the Gardiner's headshield slugs or those vibrant bicolor nudibranchs we often find. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, taking your time to really soak in the architectural feel of the reef. We'd suggest going on a sunny day; the sunbeams really elevate the whole experience.

Location

Ishigaki & Yaeyama, Japan, East Asia

Coordinates

24.820608, 125.136710

Marine Protected Area: 伊良部