Miyako Islands

Yonaha Maehama Beach (与那覇前浜ビーチ)

Often called simply “Maehama,” this seven-kilometer stretch of white coral sand consistently ranks as Japan’s best beach and among Asia’s top beaches. The shallow, calm waters glow in impossible shades of turquoise, creating scenes that look photoshopped even in person. The beach slopes so gradually that you can walk 50 meters offshore and still stand waist-deep.

Kurima Bridge forms a dramatic backdrop spanning the southern end, while the northern stretches offer more solitude. During summer high season, beach facilities include showers, toilets, restaurants, and water sports rentals. Lifeguards patrol designated swimming areas. Outside peak months, services are limited but the beach remains gorgeous and accessible.

The eastern side facing Kurima Island tends to be calmer, while the western end catches more wind—popular with windsurfers. Sunset views from Maehama Beach are spectacular, with the sun sinking into the East China Sea as the sky ignites in tropical colors.

Sunayama Beach (砂山ビーチ)

Sunayama’s dramatic rock arch framing turquoise waters has made it one of Okinawa’s most photographed beaches. The name means “sand mountain”—referencing the steep sand dune you must climb over to reach the beach, adding a sense of discovery to arrival. The effort is minimal but creates anticipation before the stunning view reveals itself.

The beach itself is relatively small and intimate, with the iconic arch providing shade and serving as the perfect photo backdrop. Swimming conditions vary with tides and seasons—strong currents can develop, so check conditions and respect warning flags. The beach has minimal facilities (no lifeguards, limited parking), emphasizing its natural character.

Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid harsh midday light for photography and to beat crowds during summer. The arch creates dramatic shadows and frames the ocean beautifully during golden hour.

Yoshino Beach (吉野海岸)

Yoshino Beach offers the Miyako Islands’ best shore snorkeling. Coral reefs sit just meters from the beach, allowing swimmers to observe tropical fish, sea turtles, and vibrant coral formations without boat trips. The beach lacks dramatic photo opportunities of Sunayama or the scale of Maehama, but underwater beauty compensates.

Access requires a short shuttle ride from the main parking area to the beach (¥500 round trip). The beach provides rental snorkel gear, showers, and lockers. Snorkeling is best at high tide when deeper water covers the reef. Stay within marked areas and never stand on or touch coral—it’s fragile and takes decades to grow.

Yoshino sees fewer tourists than major beaches despite excellent snorkeling, making it ideal for those seeking underwater experiences without crowds. The reef extends both directions from the beach—exploring to the right (facing ocean) usually encounters more marine life.

Other Notable Beaches

Aragusuku Beach (新城海岸): Another excellent snorkeling beach similar to Yoshino but slightly more developed. Good for families with easy access and calmer conditions.

Toguchi-no-hama Beach: On Irabu Island, this hidden gem offers stunning beauty without crowds. Requires some effort to reach but rewards with pristine conditions.

Boraga Beach: On Kurima Island just across the bridge. Small, quiet, beautiful views back toward Miyako Island and Maehama Beach.

Painagama Beach: Urban beach in Hirara city. Not the most beautiful but convenient for accommodations in town. Popular with locals, good for sunset watching.

Scuba Diving

Miyako ranks among Japan’s premier diving destinations, drawing serious divers worldwide with exceptional visibility, diverse marine ecosystems, and dramatic underwater topography. The surrounding waters host over 60 established dive sites ranging from shallow coral gardens suitable for beginners to advanced drift dives through channels and caves.

Famous Dive Sites:

• German Channel (魔王の宮殿): The most celebrated site—a natural underwater canyon featuring dramatic overhangs, swim-throughs, and exceptional marine life including manta rays during winter months.

• Yabiji (八重干瀬): Japan’s largest coral reef system. During extreme low tides, portions emerge creating temporary islands—a spectacular sight from aerial tours.

• Irabu’s Sites: Multiple cave and overhang dives with stunning light effects. Advanced certification often required due to overhead environments.

• Shimoji’s Training Pool: Former Japan Airlines pilot training pool now popular with recreational divers—unique experience diving an artificial 35-meter deep pool.

Numerous dive operators service the islands, offering guided dives, equipment rental, and certification courses. English-speaking instructors increasingly common at larger shops catering to international divers.

Snorkeling

While diving gets top billing, Miyako’s accessible shore snorkeling rivals many destinations’ boat trips. Multiple beaches feature healthy coral reefs mere meters from shore, allowing casual swimmers to experience tropical underwater ecosystems. Water clarity often exceeds 30 meters, making even shallow snorkeling remarkably impressive.

Yoshino and Aragusuku beaches provide the easiest shore access to quality snorkeling. Rental gear is available at both beaches, though bringing your own ensures better fit and comfort. Rashguards or light wetsuits recommended—tropical sun burns even through water, and they provide protection from minor coral scrapes.

Many visitors spot sea turtles while snorkeling Miyako’s reefs. These gentle creatures feed on seagrass beds and rest on coral formations. Observe from respectful distance, never touch or chase turtles. Swimming alongside them ranks among most magical Miyako experiences.

Water Sports & Tours

Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP): The calm, clear waters around Miyako make ideal SUP conditions. Several operators offer rentals and guided tours through mangrove channels and along coastlines.

Kayaking: Sea kayaking tours explore coastal areas and small islands. Sunset paddles particularly popular. Glass-bottom kayaks available for non-divers wanting underwater views.

Boat Tours: Glass-bottom boats, snorkeling tours to Yabiji reef, sunset cruises, and fishing charters all available. Tours often combine multiple activities.

Aerial Tours: Helicopter and small plane tours showcase Miyako’s stunning geography from above—the color contrasts between deep ocean blue, shallow turquoise, and white sand beaches create incredible aerial views.

Irabu Bridge (伊良部大橋)

Japan’s longest toll-free bridge opened in 2015, connecting Miyako Island to Irabu Island via a spectacular 3,540-meter span. Driving or cycling across the bridge ranks among Miyako’s must-do experiences—the road soars high above impossibly blue water with unobstructed ocean views in every direction.

The bridge approaches feature pull-off areas for photos (though parking is limited and fills quickly). The Miyako side lookout offers views across the channel toward Irabu Island with the dramatic bridge span stretching across the seascape. The Irabu side provides different perspectives looking back toward Miyako’s main town.

Crossing at sunset creates memorable experiences as the western light illuminates the water and sky. The bridge’s height provides cooling breezes even on hot days. Cyclists particularly enjoy the bridge crossing—dedicated bike lanes ensure safety while allowing riders to truly absorb the scenery at their own pace.

Ikema Bridge (池間大橋)

Connecting Miyako Island’s northern tip to tiny Ikema Island, this 1,425-meter bridge crosses stunning shallow waters that glow in electric blue-green hues. The Ikema Bridge opened in 1992, transforming the island’s isolation and bringing development while maintaining much of its traditional character.

Ikema Island itself is tiny but charming—a single main road loops the island in about 15 minutes. The island’s northern shore features viewing platforms overlooking Ikema Wetland, an important bird habitat hosting migrating species and resident tropical birds. The wetland provides the islands’ only real “nature walk” experience outside beach environments.

Several small restaurants and cafés on Ikema serve fresh seafood and local specialties. These family-run establishments offer authentic island hospitality often missed in more developed areas.

Kurima Bridge (来間大橋)

The 1,690-meter Kurima Bridge connects Miyako Island to Kurima Island, running parallel to the southern end of Maehama Beach. The bridge itself is photogenic, and the view from Maehama Beach looking toward the bridge creates classic Miyako photographs with white sand, turquoise water, and the dramatic bridge span.

Kurima Island is tiny—barely three kilometers around—but hosts several worthwhile stops. Tacomu lookout point on the island’s southern end provides 360-degree views. The island’s small beaches offer quiet alternatives to Maehama’s occasional crowds. Several cafés have capitalized on the view, creating Instagram-popular spots with swings, hammocks, and viewing decks overlooking the ocean.