Miyako Island

A coral island famed for "Miyako Blue": Yonaha Maehama Beach, the Irabu Bridge and snorkeling at Yoshino Beach make it one of Japan's most beautiful seascapes.

Miyako Island lies about 300 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa. It is the main island of the Miyako Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, linked by four sea-spanning bridges to Irabu, Shimoji, Ikema and Kurima islands. The whole island is made of uplifted coral reef, with no rivers or high mountains, so the seawater is exceptionally clear and has become known as "Miyako Blue." The climate is subtropical; April–June and September–October offer the best water and weather, July–September is typhoon season, and in winter temperatures are about 18–20°C but it is windy and not suited to swimming. Activities fall into four areas: in the south, Yonaha Maehama Beach, Kurima Island, snorkeling at Yoshino and Shinjo coasts, and Higashi-Hennazaki; in the north, Ikema Bridge, Nishi-Hennazaki, the Yukishio Museum and the Marine Park; in the west, across the Irabu Bridge, Irabu and Shimoji islands (Watarijihama, Tsuuke Pond, Nakanoshima, 17END); and, reached by boat, Yaebishi and Ogami Island. Getting there: Miyako Airport has direct flights from Tokyo Haneda, Osaka and Naha, and Shimojishima Airport has flights from Narita, Kansai and Naha; there is almost no tourist bus service on the island, so renting a car is strongly recommended, and Hirara in the city center has a concentrated area of restaurants and lodging. Allow 3–4 days. Notes: snorkel only at beaches with facilities, wear a life jacket and keep an eye on the tide; UV is intense, so use sun protection; typhoon-season flight cancellations may disrupt plans, so leave some flexibility.

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