Yonehara Beach is on Ishigaki Island, one of Okinawa Prefecture’s outlying islands.
It is a popular snorkeling spot, where you can take in coral, clownfish, and the clarity of the water.
Plenty of visitors come here, and every year many make the trip specifically to snorkel at this beautiful beach.
Ratings for Yonehara Beach
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Yonehara Beach at a Glance
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Opening hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Safety net | No |
| Lifeguard | No |
| Showers | Yes |
| Lockers | No |
| Equipment rental | Yes |
| Activities | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Official website | No |
The shallows at Yonehara Beach run a long way out, and the waves are relatively calm.
There is no safety net and no lifeguard on duty, so take care when going into the water to swim or snorkel.
The Highlights
A Popular Snorkeling Spot
Yonehara Beach is a favorite among snorkelers.
With a bit of luck you may see sea turtles and clownfish.
Tours can be booked on Viator or GetYourGuide, so take a look if that appeals.
Clear Water
The water was very clear and genuinely beautiful.
I went in the evening, so it is hard to tell from the photos, but it really was lovely.
Beautiful Sand
The sand runs roughly a kilometer, making this a beautiful long beach.
Restrooms and Showers Available
Restrooms and showers are both in place.
There are vending machines and a shop near the parking lot too, so food and drink are never a problem.
Signage
The sign sets out detailed information about Yonehara Beach.
Points to Note
There are rules to follow when using Yonehara Beach.
Check the image above, follow the rules, and enjoy your time on the beach.
Access and Parking
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | 644 Fukai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (both paid and free) Free parking lot (room for about 5–8 cars) Paid parking lot: 500 yen (room for about 60 cars) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Yonehara Beach has both a free parking lot and a paid one.
The free parking lot has room for about 5–8 cars, and the paid one for around 60.
See the image and Google Map below for details.
[Free parking lot]
[Paid parking lot]
Around Yonehara Beach
Marine Activities
Yonehara Beach is known for snorkeling, and with a bit of luck you may see sea turtles and clownfish.
Tours can be booked on Viator or GetYourGuide, so take a look if that appeals.
Kabira Bay
Kabira Bay is defined by its clear water, beautiful sand, and the view from the Kabira Park observation deck.
One thing to note: swimming is prohibited at Kabira Bay, so you cannot go in the water.
For those who want to see the coral and tropical fish, glass-bottom boat tours and other activities are available, and they are well worth doing.
ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
The ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort is a handsome resort hotel.
Some rooms have ocean views, and with a pool and tennis courts on site it suits anyone who wants a resort stay on Ishigaki.
Rental Cars on Ishigaki Island
A rental car is by far the best way to get around Ishigaki Island.
Scenic spots such as Kabira Bay and Yonehara Beach are spread across the island, so having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Bus services on Ishigaki Island are infrequent, and a car makes a real difference to how much you can fit in.
Cars fill up quickly in the peak season, so we recommend booking early once your travel dates are set. One important note for overseas visitors: to drive in Japan you must obtain an International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention) in your home country before you depart, and remember that traffic in Japan drives on the left.
Summary
This guide has covered Yonehara Beach.
Yonehara Beach draws large numbers of visitors year after year, above all for the snorkeling.
When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to make time for Yonehara Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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