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BEST Miyakojima Beaches: 3-Day Itinerary & Snorkeling Guide

Get 10% off on Klook Code: TRAVELLIVNKLOOK

Miyakojima beaches (and snorkeling) are hands down some of the most impressive in all of Okinawa!

If you’re planning a trip to Okinawa, you absolutely have to visit Miyakojima (Miyako Islands). With its stunning beaches, vibrant reefs, and breathtaking coastlines, it’s hands-down one of the most beautiful and unforgettable islands in the region.

This 3-day itinerary guarantees an unforgettable adventure, taking you to all the best spots.

Plus, you’ll find plenty of handy tips to help you make the most of your Miyako islands getaway.

Mikayojima Beaches
Ikema Bridge on Miyako Island

Table of contents

Miyakojima- Key Information

Things to know when booking your Miyako Islands Vacation

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED?

I suggest at least 3 full days as well as time in Okinawa’s Main Island ⬇️

7 Day Okinawa Honto Itinerary

HOTEL SUGGESTIONS

$$ Hotel Locus Miyako Island

$$$$ Blue Ocean Hotel & Resort MIYAKOJIMA

$$$$ Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort

TOURS

Miyako Island: SUP or Canoeing and Snorkeling Experience

NECESSARY APPS

Klook app (Tours, Attractions) get 10% off with our code TRAVELLIVNKOOK

We use a Wise Card for the best Currency exchange rates

We use Apple Maps or Google Maps to navigate

Japan Esim

BEST SEASON

The best time to visit is from April to October when the weather is sunny and perfect for beach days and snorkeling.

Typhoon season peaks in August and September, so keep an eye on forecasts and travel advisories.

Okinawa Honto Itinerary

Every Okinawa itinerary should include the main island, Okinawa Honto. It offers a totally different vibe and is what I call the “Hawaii of Japan” Okinawa Honto 7 Day Itinerary and Guide.

How to Get to Miyakojima

Miyakojima is served by Miyako Airport, with frequent domestic flights from major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Naha (Okinawa Main Island).

TIP: Booking your flights early can snag you the best deals. We use Trip.com as our go-to 3rd party site for booking ALL our flights. It searches ALL airline combinations and has a feature that you can search from multiple cities meaning you’ll always snag the best deal!

>>>SEARCH flights on Trip.com

screen shot of the trip.com multiple city booking option

Getting Around Miyakojima

Public transport on Mikayo island is very limited, so renting a car is essential. It gives you freedom to explore the best beaches, snorkeling spots, and hidden gems at your own pace. Additionally, the island is a very small island and only an hour from one end to the other, and the roads are quiet, well signed and paved. Personally, we found driving on Miyako very easy.

We use Rentalcars.com to book our car rentals. It is a subsidiary of Bookings.com and searches ALL available cars and companies ensuring you get the BEST RATE!

Pinned Miyakojima & Okinawa Map

We’ve pinned all our favorite spots in Okinawa on this Google Map including Miyakojima (PS: for Miyakojima make sure you scroll down)

Miyakojima Map

Money & Payments

Cash is king on Miyakojima. You’ll find most smaller restaurants (and they are all small), shops, and parking lots will only accept cash.

Furthermore, ATMs are available at the airport and at convenience stores.

Where to Stay

Miyakojima offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury beachfront resorts and spacious apartments for families or groups, to cozy guesthouses perfect for a more relaxed stay.

We stayed at Hotel Locus Miyako Island, a modern, budget-friendly hotel conveniently located opposite the marina and close to the city center. It features a pool, on-site café and restaurant, and is surrounded by a great selection of local eateries and convenience stores.

For the price and location it’s a definite no brainer!

1. Hotel Locus Miyako Island

Hotel Locus Miyako Island
Hotel Locus Miyakojima
HOtel Locus Miyokajima – Images by Booking.com

If your budget allows then it is definitely worth looking at these two more luxurious properties. Both stand out as the most beautiful and luxurious on the island and would be well worth the extra investment.

2. Blue Ocean Hotel & Resort MIYAKOJIMA

Blue Ocean Hotel Resort -MIYAKOJIMA
Blue Ocean Hotel Resort -MIYAKOJIMA
Blue Ocean Hotel & Resort MIYAKOJIMA – Images by Booking.com

3. Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort

Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort
Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort
Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort – Images by Booking.com

3-Day Itinerary for Miyakojima

This 3-day Miyakojima itinerary comes straight from the 3 weeks we spent exploring both the Miyako Islands and Okinawa Honto. With my background as a full-time travel blogger, content creator, and itinerary-obsessed planner, I’ve pulled together all our favorite finds.

Everything from iconic Miyakojima beaches to hidden snorkeling gems. Get ready to discover the very best of Miyakojima!

Shigira Beach Miyakojima
Shigira Beach – Miyakojima

Day 1: Explore the northern beaches of Miyakojima

Firstly, you will get your car from the airport and check into your hotel. This will likely take you to roughly midday, so we will begin your adventure from noon.

Day 1 Itinerary Highlights

Day 1 Route MAP: Total Driving TIME – 1 hour

  • Cafe Ninufa for lunch
  • Ikema Bridge
  • Kaimiru Lookout point
  • Sunayama beach
  • Toriike Pond

Start your day with a scenic drive north to Café Ninufa where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or a refreshing gelato while taking in the spectacular beach views from the deck.

This was easily our favorite restaurant on the island. The beach out front is absolutely beautiful, and the pizzas are seriously delicious.

Gelato Cafe Ninufa Miyako Island
Gelato Cafe Ninufa Miyako Island
Gelato Cafe Ninufa

Next, head to Kaimiru Lookout Point to take in panoramic views of the iconic Ikema Bridge from the rooftop viewing platform. This impressive bridge stretches across the water 1425m, connecting Miyakojima to Ikema Island, and is one of Okinawa’s most recognized landmarks.

Ikema Bridge Miyakojima Miyako Islands
Ikema Bridge Miyakojima Miyako Islands
Ikema Beach Miyako Island

On your way back, make a stop at Sunayama Beach. Known for its impressive rock arch. Sunayama Beach is one of the most photographed and unforgettable Miyakojima beaches and well worth a stop.

Finally, you will visit Toriike Pond a unique pair of connected sinkhole lakes on Shimojishima Island. Known for their striking dark blue water, decked pathways and rugged coastal cliffs, it’s a must-see natural wonder and something very unique.

Sunayama Beach Miyakojima
Sunayama Beach
Toriike Pond in Miyako Island
Toriike Pond

Day 2: Snorkeling with Turtles off the beach

Itinerary Highlights – Day 2

  • Imgyaa Marine Garden (with Tour)
  • Shigira Beach (with Tour)
  • Waiwai Beach
  • Boraga Beach

Day Tour: Miyako Island: SUP or Canoeing and Snorkeling Experience

Day 2 of your Miyakojima itinerary is all about exploring the stunning southern coastline, and three unforgettable beach stops.

We chose to visit Shigira Beach and Imgyaa Marine Garden with a local guide as part of a half-day tour. Having a guide meant we were shown the best reef and snorkeling spots — and they knew exactly where the local turtles like to hang out!

This was the tour we booked: Miyako Island: SUP or Canoeing and Snorkeling Experience

The half day tour starts by meeting at Shigira Beach, where a local guide will take you snorkeling to find the local sea turtles and vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. Parking here is ¥1,000.

Next, you’ll head over to Imgyaa Marine Garden for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in one of the most magical spots on the island. This calm, protected lagoon was one of my absolute favorite places in Miyakojima. The water is crystal clear, and you can see bright blue, yellow and purple coral even without getting in the water. It’s like snorkeling… without getting wet!

After completing the tour you will have time to discover some more beautiful beaches and headlands.

Snorkelling with turtles at at Shigira Beach Miyakojima
Snorkelling with turtles at at Shigira Beach Miyakojima
Kayaking at Imgyaa Marine Garden Miyako Island
Imgyaa Marine Garden Miyakojima

Afternoon Stops:

Waiwai Beach is a quieter, lesser-known gem with shallow, crystal-clear waters. It offers another good chance of spotting sea turtles.

Then head to Boraga Beach, a beautiful spot with a shallow reef perfect for exploring. There’s also a pool you can access for a small fee. The pool at Boraga beach is a lovely way to cool off and rinse off the saltwater.

Boraga Beach Mikayojima
Boraga Beach Mikayojima
Boraga Beach Mikayojima

Day 3: Yoshino – Top Miyakojima Beach & Snorkeling Spot

On your final day, start things off with a morning walk at Cape Higashi-Hennazaki… a breathtaking headland on the eastern tip of Miyakojima. You’ll love Cape Higashi Hennazaki for it’s ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and the cute lighthouse at the end of a scenic pathway. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the island’s natural beauty one last time.

Cape Higashi-Hennazaki Miyakojima
Cape Higashi-Hennazaki Miyakojima

Next, we’ve saved one of the best for last. Introducing one of Miyakojima’s top beaches and snorkeling spots, Yoshino Beach. This place is a snorkeling dream, with vibrant coral reefs and loads of colourful marine life just offshore and a beautiful beach to boot.

🚐 Parking is ¥1,000 and includes a shuttle ride down to the beach. Umbrella shades and sunbeds can be rented down on the beach as well for a small fee.

PS: Don’t leave without trying the local food van selling Spam Onigiri which is weirdly delicious and totally iconic 😅

Spam Onigiri food van at Yoshino Kaigan Beach
Yoshino Kaigan Beach from drone

Quick Tips for Enjoying Miyakojima Beaches

  • Renting a car is essential for getting around and hitting the best beaches on Miyakojima. The roads are quiet and there is no big city to worry about.
  • Expect to pay around 500 -1000 yen for parking at popular spots like Shigira, Boraga and Yoshino.
  • Bring your own snorkeling gear to fully enjoy the marine life at top snorkeling spots. Although they will supply this on your Day Tour, you will need your own set to snorkel at other times.
  • Don’t miss the chance to see sea turtles at Wai Wai and Shigira!
  • Other beaches we loved and are a must were Imgyaa Marine Garden, Yoshino, Boraga Beach and Sunayama Beach

This 3-day Miyakojima itinerary highlights the island’s best beaches and snorkeling spots, ensuring a fun, easy, and unforgettable trip.

SAVE this guide to the best beaches in Miyakojima and start planning your Okinawa Island paradise today!

Imgyaa Marine Garden Mikayo Island
Imgyaa Marine Garden Miyakojima

Want more explore beyond Miyokajima and its stunning coastline and beaches, head to Okinawa Honto (the main island) for a faster pace? Checkout our Okinawa Honto 7 Day Itinerary and Guide.

Other Japan Blogs

Where to next?

Philippines
Vietnam
Japan
Mexico
Egypt
Greece

About me

Hey, nice to meet you, I’m Shannon Thomson and I am a Diploma Qualified Photographer and Social Media / Marketing graduate with a passion and love for Travel.

I have been lucky enough to be working in the field of Travel, and as a successful Social Media Manager, Content Creator and Blogger for the past 6 years. Throughout this time, I have been lucky enough to travel to some of the most sought out destinations around the world.

Within this Blog you will find all my best travel tips, guides and itineraries.

MY Top 5 favorite countries: Japan, China, Egypt, Tanzania, Philippines!

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