A complete guide to the opening of the ocean in Miyakojima! Recommended beaches, event information, and activities to enjoy!

Complete Guide to the Opening of the Sea of Miyako Island

Miyako Island, located southwest of the main island of Okinawa, is a beach resort area with its beautiful sea and nature, and every spring the sea opens on Miyako Island.

The perfect season for enjoying activities in the crystal clear waters is about to begin.

In this issue, we will introduce information related to the opening of the sea on Miyako Island.

When does the ocean open on Miyako Island?

The opening of the ocean on Miyako Island is an important event held every spring to pray for the safety of the sea.

On Miyako Island, the opening of the sea is held from late March to early April.

The earliest beach opening on Miyako Island is Shigira Beach, located in the southern part of the island.

Also, at Yonaha Maehama Beach, one of the popular beachesUsually the first Sunday in AprilThe opening of the sea will be held on

Events are held to experience local culture, and tourists can also enjoy♪

Enjoy the activities to the fullest!
Recommended Beaches in Miyako Island

Miyako Island offers an abundance of ideal spots for snorkeling and diving.

The crystal clear waters and beautiful coral reefs are a dream come true for divers and snorkelers.

Here are some of the most recommended spots.

Yonaha Maehama Beach

Yonaha Maehama Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on Miyako Island, with crystal clear waters.

It is an ideal place for snorkeling and observing coral reefs and diverse tropical fish.

From the calmness of the sea,Especially popular with beginners and families.It is.

Details of Yonaha Maehama Beach

Location: Shimoji Yonaha, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport

Yonaha Maehama, a tourist spot on Miyako Island   Scenery of Yonaha Maehama Beach About Yonaha Maehama Beach Yonaha Maehama Beach was voted No. 1 on TripAdvisor's Top 10 Best Beaches in Japan for 2019. It is the whitest sandy beach in the East. The cleanliness of the beach is amazing [...].

⬇︎ Click here for tours held at Yonaha Maehama Beach.

Miyakojima] Sea Turtle Snorkeling & Mermaid Experience Tour at Maehama Beach, the most beautiful beach in the East (No.808)開始時間Determined by sea conditions and circumstances on the day of the event所要時間Approx. 3 hours18,000 yen

Miyako Island - Warning: Full! 3 kinds of marine sports experience☆Banana Boat, Big Marble, and Band Wagon（Cancellation free until 3 days before）(No.804)開始時間Determined by sea conditions and circumstances on the day of the event所要時間Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the number of people)13,000 yen →11,000yen

Miyakojima】Mermaid Experience & 3 kinds of Screaming Marine Sports 《Banana Boat, Big Marble, Bandwagon》 at Maehama Beach, the most beautiful beach in the East (No.811)開始時間Negotiable所要時間Approx. 1.5 hours19,000 yen

Nakanoshima Beach

Nakanoshima Beach is a crystal clear beach where you can see butterfly fish, clownfish, and schools of barracuda as soon as you enter the water!

Around the large rock in the center of the beach, there are many coral formations and a wide variety of fish swimming around in the sea.

Natural beach with no restrooms or other facilitiesSo please be careful when visiting!

Nakanoshima Beach Basic Information

Address: Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: Near Miyako Shimojishima Airport

Nakanoshima Beach of Shimojishima Island's tourist attractions (Kayaffa)   Nakanoshima Beach is located near Shimojijima Airport and is as famous as "Yoshino Beach" in Miyakojima. It is a shallow natural beach that can be enjoyed all year round, and because it is a bay, the waves are calm and many divers [...]...

⬇︎ for snorkeling at Nakanoshima Beach.

Miyakojima Island/Shimojijima Island/2.5 hours】Half-day Experience Slow Diving & Snorkeling Course One-on-one, so you feel safe and secure (No.864)開始時間8:50-11:30 / 13:20-16:00
Held from 9:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from November to March.所要時間Approx. 2.5 hours16,500 yen

Miyakojima/Shimojijima/2.5 hours]Experience diving and snorkeling at a real natural aquarium☆Half-day Beach Diving & Snorkeling Course (No.865)開始時間8:50-11:30 / 13:20-16:00
Held from 9:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from November to March.所要時間Approx. 2.5 hours16,500 yen

Yabiji (Yaebiji)

Yaebise is a world-famous coral reef area, located on the western edge of Miyako Island.

It is known as a great place for diving and snorkeling, where you can observe abundant marine life. The crystal clear waters are home to numerous sea turtles and colorful tropical fish.

Yaehigase Basic Information

Address: Hirara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Access: about 15 minutes from Ikema Island

Yabiji (Yaebiji)   Yabiji is one of the largest coral reef areas in Japan (25 km in circumference, made up of more than 100 atolls of various sizes) located on Miyako Island, and is designated as a national natural monument. It is located between Miyako Island and Ikema Island, and the surrounding waters are covered with carafes [...].

⬇︎ recommend tours to be held in Yaebise.

Miyako Island】Yaebise Snorkel Trip｜Free parking! Fully equipped with facilities for men and women in different areas! English speaking staffs are available (2-3 points guide☆Free underwater camera and photo data included) (No.968)開始時間8:00-11:00 / 11:30-14:30 / 15:00-18:00 (only from March to October) / 13:00-16:00 (only from December to January)所要時間Approx. 3 hours10,000 yen

Winter Special SALE【Yaebise/午後】Half-day snorkeling course☆Spectacular view! Includes free drone video & underwater photo (No.880)開始時間1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.所要時間Approx. 4 hours16,000 yen →13,000yen

Miyako Island/3 hours] Up to 65 years old can participate! Experienced guide will lead you to one of the largest coral reefs in Japan, "Yabiji" Boat Snorkeling Tour (No.856)開始時間8:50-12:00 / 12:50-16:00所要時間Approx. 3 hours11,000 yen

Shigira Beach

Shigira Beach is located in the resort area of Miyakojima,Very popular snorkeling spot.There are

The waters are crystal clear, and visitors can enjoy rich coral reefs and tropical fish. In addition, the quiet beach is an ideal spot for families to relax.

Shigira Beach Basic Information

Address: Ueno-Shinri, Miyakojima City, Okinawa 906-0000
Access: 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport

Miyako Island-Shigira Beach   About Shigira Beach Shigira Beach is one of the only two authorized beaches on Miyako Island, and has become a popular beach in recent years due to its Instagram-worthy appearance! There are lifesavers on the beach and various service facilities. It is one of the only two official beaches on Miyako Island [...].

⬇︎ for tours that include Sigira Beach.

Miyakojima】Sea turtle snorkeling & 4 kinds of marine sports experience course＜Banana board, big marble, band wagon, jet ski＞Free photo（No.813)開始時間Negotiable所要時間Approx. 3 hours22,000 yen →20,000yen

Miyakojima Island/1 day】Encounter rate 100% ongoing☆Sea turtle snorkeling & pumpkin hole exploration & 3 kinds of marine sports＜Banana Boat, Big Marble, Bandwagon＞（No.846)開始時間Varies depending on the day.所要時間Approx. 6 hours30,500 yen →28,500yen

Funakusu Beach

It is located on the north side of Ikema Island, commonly known asIkema Block.is called Funaks Beach.

The entire beach is covered with fine, silky sand, and coral reefs dot the beach from about 20 meters from the surf.

The transparency is excellent! Many small, colorful fish swim around the branch corals in the shallows, a true snorkeling sanctuary♪

Funakusu Beach Basic Information

Address: Hirara-Ikema, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 30 minutes by car from Miyako Airport

Funakusu Beach (Ikema Block)- a tourist attraction on Ikema Island Scenery of Funakusu Beach (Ikema Block) Beautiful beach with a parking lot Coral reefs are just around the corner The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the sea Source: 4travel What is Funakusu Beach (Ikema Block)?

long stretch of beach

Nagama Beach on Kurushima Island is a beach where you can walk barefoot on the beach and feel the powdery sand feel good on your soles.

A few meters from the surf, a coral reef stretches out and many tropical fish can be seen.

However, on days with strong southerly winds, there are areas with strong wave swells and fast currents, so please be careful when snorkeling!

Basic Information on Nagama Beach

Address: Aza Kuruma, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 30 minutes by bus from Taira Port

Nagama Beach is a tourist attraction on Kushima Island. The scenery of Nagamahama Beach The sea of Nagamahama White sand The parking lot near the beach The entrance to the beach The Nagamahama Beach The white fine sand on the west side of Kushima (the open sea side) [...].

Shinshiro Coast

Shinshiro Beach, a famous snorkeling spot on Miyako Island, is about a 30-minute car ride from Miyako Airport.

This location is characterized by a high encounter rate with sea turtles, in addition to the abundance of tropical fish and corals that inhabit the area.

The ocean itself is shallow, so it becomes quite shallow at low tide. Aiming for high tide will be enough to enjoy it.

Basic Information on Shinshiro Coast

Address: Shinshiro, Jobe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport

Miyako Island's most popular tourist spot, Aragusuku Beach  About Aragusuku Coast Aragusuku Coast is a 700-m-long sandy beach located 4 km northwest of Higashi Henna-zaki. It is a "ino" (lagoon) with shallow coral reefs extending up to 500 meters offshore [...].

Blue Cave

The "Blue Cave" is a sea cave located on the west coast of Miyako Island, where light shining into the cave makes the seawater glow blue.

This beautiful blue sea can be enjoyed by snorkeling and diving, especially in the evening, when the atmosphere is magical.Very popular tourist spot in Miyako Island.It is.

Details of the Blue Cave

Location: Hirara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Access: 30 minutes by car from Miyako Airport

Blue Cave (Sapphire Cave)   What is the Blue Cave (Miyakojima)? The mysterious "Blue Cave (Sapphire Cave)" is located on Irabu Island, across the 3,540-meter Irabu Bridge from Miyakojima. It is also called "Sapphire Cave" these days, and inside the cave [...].

Click here for ⬇︎ recommended blue cave plans.

Special Winter SALE [Irabu Island/2 hours] Adventure in the new famous "Sapphire Cave"☆Shimmering Blue Cave Snorkeling & Cave Exploration Tour★Free Photo & Pick-up & Drop-off Service Available (No.832)開始時間9:30-11:30 / 13:30-15:30所要時間Approx. 2 hours7,900 yen →6,900yen

Miyakojima/Irabujima/3 hours】Only available from March to October! Many repeaters... Bijas & Blue Cave Snorkeling Tour (No.863)開始時間8:20-12:00 / 12:45-16:00所要時間Approx. 3 hours10,000 yen

Miyakojima/Irabujima/One-day】Snorkeling in the sparkling sapphire cave "Blue Cave" & SUP/kayak tour with great view of the beach★Free photo & pickup & drop-off included (No.836)開始時間9:30-15:30所要時間Approx. 6 hours15,800 yen →13,500yen

Ikema Island

Ikema Island is a small island that can be reached by crossing a bridge from the main island of Miyakojima. When crossing the Ikema Ohashi Bridge, visitors can enjoy spectacular ocean views.

Also in the vicinity of Ikema Island arePlenty of snorkeling spotsand you can see the clear waters and beautiful coral reefs.

Details of Ikema Island

Location: Ikema Island, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: Ikema Ohashi Bridge from the main island of Miyakojima

Ikema Ohashi Bridge, a sightseeing spot on Ikema Island   About Ikema Ohashi Ikema Ohashi Bridge is located in the northwestern part of Miyako Island. Opened in 1992, the 1425-meter-long bridge provides an outstanding contrast to the sea around Ikema Island, which is one of the clearest on Miyako Island. The Ikema Ohashi Bridge has a high plateau when viewed from the Ikema Island side [...].

Click here for ⬇︎ recommended tours including Ikema Ohashi Bridge.

Miyako Island/Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday only/1 day] Let's visit 5 Miyako Islands and the 3 major bridges with a superb view☆Guided Sightseeing Bus Tour＜One-day tour OK & no age limit＞(No.928)開始時間8:25 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.所要時間Approx. 9 hours8,800 yen

Noteworthy Events at Miyakojima Sea Opening

The opening of the ocean on Miyako Island is not just the beginning of the beach season; it is a special event that allows visitors to experience local culture and traditions.

The Miyakojima Sea Opening events are loved not only by tourists but also by local residents.

Sea Opening Ceremony
(Location, time and content)

The 2025 Miyakojima Sea Opening Ceremony will be held at Yonaha Maehama Beach.

Every year, this beach attracts many tourists and locals as an iconic spot on Miyako Island.

Performances will be given by local artists and dancers, and you will be sure to get into the rhythm... ♪

Dates and times:: June 1, 2012 The annual event will be held again in 2025 on the first Sunday in AprilIt is.

Click here for the popular plan ranking of Yonaha Maehama Beach.

Let's enjoy the opening of the sea in Miyako Island to the fullest♪
Tips & Advice

The sea opening season on Miyako Island is attractive, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your trip. Please refer to the following to fully enjoy the wonderful Miyakojima sea opening.

When to visit to avoid crowds

The ocean-opening season on Miyako Island usually peaks in early April, but it is important to adjust the timing of your visit to avoid crowds, especially since the most popular beaches and events are concentrated there.

Early April (just after the opening of the sea) and early May are relatively uncrowded. In particular, aiming for weekdays will allow you to enjoy the sights in a relaxed atmosphere.

After June, you can still enjoy a relatively quiet atmosphere because it is before the full-blown tourist season.

If you want to enjoy the quiet nature and beaches of Miyako Island while avoiding the crowds, the best time is during the days immediately following the opening of the ocean.

Notes for first time travelers to Miyako Island

Miyako Island offers beautiful beaches and natural beauty, but first-time visitors should be a little cautious.

In particular, the following points should be kept in mind to make your stay more comfortable, especially when it comes to transportation around the island and activities in the sea.

Means of transportation

Since public transportation on Miyako Island is limited, we strongly recommend the use of a rental car. A car is a convenient way to get around the beaches and tourist attractions efficiently.

Learn more about car rentals

restaurant

Restaurants and cafes on Miyako Island are concentrated around the tourist areas, but local eateries and cafes are scattered around the island a little further away.

If you research places to eat in advance, you can enjoy delicious local food even in places away from the tourist attractions.

Activity Reservations

Popular activities (snorkeling, diving, etc.) may require advance reservations.

We recommend making reservations as early as possible, especially during the ocean-opening season, when crowds are expected.

Click here to see the ranking of popular plans in Miyako Island

summary

The Miyakojima Umi-no-Opening is not just the beginning of the beach season, but also a special event to be enjoyed with a touch of local culture.

By participating in the ocean-opening ceremony and a variety of activities, visitors can fully experience the nature and charm of Miyako Island.

Furthermore, you can enjoy Miyako Island more comfortably by making good use of the time of year and activity options to visit and avoid crowds.

In order to fully enjoy the ocean opening on Miyako Island, it is important to plan ahead and respect the local culture and nature.

⬇︎ Read the article at ⬇︎

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