7 beach recommendations for Irabu Island! Snorkeling tours are also available!
Table of Contents
- 1 Started handling rental cars!
- 2 7 beaches on Irabu Island
- 2.1 Beaches of Irabu Island (1) Nagayama Beach
- 2.2 Beach of Irabu Island (2) Watariguchi Beach
- 2.3 Beaches of Irabu Island (3) Sawada Beach
- 2.4 Irabu Island Beach (4) Oyadomari Beach
- 2.5 Irabu Island's Beach (5) Shiratorizaki
- 2.6 Beaches of Irabu Island (6)17END
- 2.7 Beach of Irabu Island (7) Nakanoshima Beach
- 3 Three recommended snorkel tours on Irabu Island
- 4 summary
Hello everyone! Have you ever heard of an island called Irabu Island, which is located next to Miyako Island? Located northwest of Miyako Island, Irabu Island is a small island with a population of about 5,000. With the opening of the Irabu Bridge in January 2015, it is easily accessible by car from Miyako Island and has become one of the most popular driving courses for tourists.
Started handling rental cars!
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The area around the island, which is made up of naturally rich raised coral, has many beaches with plenty of snorkeling and scuba diving spots. There are also many beaches that are sunset spots and are visited by many local islanders to watch the sunset. This article introduces seven beaches on Irabu Island.
7 beaches on Irabu Island
Beaches of Irabu Island (1) Nagayama Beach
The charm of Nagayama Beach is that you can enjoy beachcombing while looking at the Irabu Ohashi Bridge. Nagayama Beach is located at the gateway to Irabu Island, just after passing under the Irabu Bridge.
You can enjoy the Irabu Bridge from directly below, and Nagayama Beach is the only beach where you can enjoy this sight. Although it is a smaller beach, it has white sand and the beautiful ocean stretches out before you.
The gradation of the sea in this area is famous for being quite beautiful, and it is a popular spot for those who come to take pictures of the sea. The collaboration between the nearby Irabu Bridge and the ocean is a spectacular view that can only be seen here.
If you want to take a two-shot with the Irabu Bridge or see the Irabu Bridge up close, this is the place for you. Miyakojima Mamoru-kun is also nearby, so why not take a picture?
Address: Irabu Ikema-zoe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking: Available
Beach of Irabu Island (2) Watariguchi Beach
Watariguchi Beach is located on Irabu Island, across the Irabu Bridge from Miyako Island, and has a very distinctive gentle shoreline that stretches 800 meters in an arch shape. It is sometimes called the best beach in Irabu because of its spectacular scenery.
The clear water reflects the unmixed white sand that stretches across the ocean floor, creating a beautiful contrast between the emerald green sea and the chalky white sand. The sand on the beach is fine and powdery, and its smooth texture allows visitors to walk around barefoot.
Taste the warmth of the tropics through your legs. The white sand beach is so wide that you can stroll around more freely than other beaches. From the beach, you can see Miyako Island, Kushima Island, and Shimoji Island, making it a very scenic beach.
Marine activities can also be enjoyed, and sea kayaking and snorkeling are available at the ready. There are entrances at the west and east ends of the beach, and both ends have restaurants and parking lots.
It is also equipped with toilets and showers, making it a convenient location for visitors to use showers and other facilities after playing in Irabu. The shallow waters allow children to play safely, making it a safe beach for families to visit.
Click here for more information about Watakuchi no Hama ↓ Click here for more information about Watakuchi no Hama
Address: 1352-16 Irabu Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Phone number: 0980-73-1881
Toilet: Yes
Shower: Available
Beaches of Irabu Island (3) Sawada Beach
Sawada no hama (beach) is famous for its beautiful sunset on Irabu Island. Located in the northwestern part of Irabu Island, the beach has an unusual landscape with many huge rocks lying offshore, which are said to have been carried in by the tsunami of the Meiwa period.
The sunset on the beach in Sawada is truly spectacular. Why don't you watch the sunset without thinking about anything? The ever-changing gradation of the sky will surely wash away your mind.
In particular, the sunset view of Sawada beach at ebb tide is indescribably beautiful. When the slightly flooded beach and sunset time coincide, the sunset-burnt sky on the surface of the water and the blending of indigo and akane are a scene that can only be experienced here.
The area around Sawada beach is a park with showers and restrooms, and there are stores nearby for easy access.
For more information on Sawada beach, click here↓.
Address: 1725 Sawada, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Toilet: Yes, Shower: Yes
Irabu Island Beach (4) Oyadomari Beach
The cozy Oyadomari Beach is one of the most hidden beaches on Irabu Island, where even the locals may not know about it. It is not well known and rarely mentioned in guidebooks, but it is a lovely beach with cute turtle-shaped stones that make it a great photo spot.
Oyadomari Beach is located a couple of minutes drive to the right after crossing the Irabu Bridge. As mentioned earlier, it is not well known by people, so you can spend your time relaxing.
From the Oyadomari beach, turn your back to the Irabu Bridge and go northwest, and you will find a place with a tetrapod, near which you will find Turtle Rock. The collaboration of the blue sea and the turtle rock is so beautiful that if you take a picture of it, it will be well received on SNS.
Oyadomari beach is one of the least recognized beaches on Irabu Island. Visit it when you want to relax or think about something. However, there are no toilets or showers, so you will need to prepare in advance.
Address: Irabu Ikema-zoe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking: Available
Irabu Island's Beach (5) Shiratorizaki
Shiratorizaki is located in the northern part of Irabu Island, and dive boats often anchor there as there are many diving spots nearby. There is a beach just off the cape that is often visited by sunset watchers. The beach is rocky and the water is deep, so it is not suitable for swimming, but it is one of the best beaches to visit if you want to enjoy the scenery.
The area from Hunausagibanata to the Shiratorizaki area is called West Coast Park, where a promenade has been developed and can be explored on foot. There is also a pavilion on the cape from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sunset.
For more information about Shiratorizaki, click here↓.
Address: 908-2, Irabu Sawada, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Parking: Available
Beaches of Irabu Island (6)17END
Located on Miyakojima's neighboring Irabu Island, 17END is one of Miyakojima's most famous sunset spots, with an unobstructed view of the sun setting into the sea that is truly spectacular. SUP tours are available, and sunset SUP in the evening is especially recommended.
It is located near Shimojishima Airport and is named after the letter 17 on the airport's runway. This 17 means that an airplane can land in a 170° direction. It is also said that this beach at the end of the runway came to be called 17END because the end of the runway is called the runway end in aviation terminology.
At low tide, the white sandy beach peeks out, and the contrast of white with blue and Akane (red) makes for a very beautiful ocean. If you time it right, Shimoji Airport, a touch-and-go practice site, is located nearby, making it a dreamy spot where you can enjoy the sea and sky at the same time with airplanes taking off into the sky. The beach is closed to vehicular traffic, so you can reach the beach on foot.
Please enjoy this beautiful beach and the airplanes flying in front of you.
Address: Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Toilet: None
Shower: No
Beach of Irabu Island (7) Nakanoshima Beach
Nakanoshima Beach is known as a "natural aquarium" with a massive reef and a variety of tropical fish, and is a popular spot for divers and snorkelers. The high transparency of the beach allows visitors to see tropical fish in the water, making it an enjoyable spot for kayaking and other tours. The offshore area is the best spot in the middle of the island, as it is home to a large number of tropical fish due to the development of branch and group corals.
The coral reefs are so close to the beach that you can enjoy beach entry without going that far out to sea. As soon as you enter the ocean, you can enjoy the unique southern island scenery of coral reefs and tropical fish at Nakanoshima Beach. This is the spot to visit if you want to enjoy snorkeling on Irabu Island.
However, parking does not exist near the beach, so care must be taken when visiting.
For more information about Nakanoshima Beach, click here↓.
Address: Irabu Sawada, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Toilet: None
Shower: No
Three recommended snorkel tours on Irabu Island
SUP & Snorkeling & Irabu Island & Miyako Island Sightseeing Guided Tour
This snorkeling plan allows you to play all day. This is a very satisfying package that also allows you to visit Irabu Island's sightseeing spots such as Triangle Point. All snorkeling spots on Irabu Island are crystal clear. You can also enjoy SUP, so this plan is recommended for those who want to do various activities throughout the day.
SUP & Snorkeling & Irabu Island & Miyako Island Sightseeing Guided Tour
(2) Unparalleled transparency! Premium snorkeling tour in the "Triangle
This plan offers snorkeling at the triangular point, which is rapidly gaining popularity as a tourist spot on Irabu Island. Usually only visible from the top of the cliff, it is a premium location where many sea turtles swim. Since it is only accessible by boat, there are few other vendors. Recommended for those who want to feel private.
3) [Held from March to October] Blue Cave & Bijas! Boat Snorkeling & Experience Diving
This is a limited time plan for the season only. It is recommended for those who want to enjoy the sea of Irabu Island to the fullest because you can play with diving. There are many fish that you cannot see by snorkeling in Irabu Island. You may be able to go to places where the terrain is unusual. We will suggest the best spots depending on the weather of the day.
summary
How was it? The Irabu Bridge has made it easier to visit Irabu Island, and the island is rapidly gaining popularity. Are there any beaches you would like to visit on Irabu Island? The spots to visit will vary depending on the activities you want to try, the scenery, the fish you want to see by snorkeling or diving, and the topography.
In addition, many beaches are sunset spots, especially Shiratorizaki and Sawada no Hama in the northern part of the island, which are visited by many tourists and locals at dusk. Please make sure to check the time and location of the beaches before you visit them. Thank you for reading to the end.
