Osaki Lion Fish Palace - Ishigaki & Yaeyama

Osaki Lion Fish Palace is one of those easy-going Ishigaki dives that we keep coming back to. It’s a shallow reef, topping out at 19m, making it a comfortable spot for newer divers or those who just want to chill out and take photos. The "palace" itself is a series of small overhangs and ledges, home to a decent number of lionfish – hence the name. You’ll often find them just hanging out, fins flared, completely unfazed by divers. We’ve also spotted pipefish tucked into the corals and plenty of colourful nudibranchs if you slow down and look closely. Visibility here is usually pretty solid, which makes for a relaxing dive without too much fuss.

Location
Ishigaki & Yaeyama, Japan, East Asia
Coordinates
24.421000, 124.077700
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
19m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: 西表石垣

Nearby Dive Sites in Ishigaki & Yaeyama

Nearest Dive Centres to Osaki Lion Fish Palace

Marine Life in Ishigaki & Yaeyama

Home to 442 recorded species including 289 reef fish, 119 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 6 sea cucumbers, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species