This guide gathers the beaches of Miyako Island and sorts them by area.
Miyako Island has plenty of beaches, and not only on the main island — Irabu, Shimoji, Ikema, and Kurima, all linked by bridge, have their own. Covered here are 39 beaches plus 19 other sights such as observation decks and capes: 58 spots in all.
Some beaches draw crowds of visitors; others are quiet places only locals seem to find. Each area has a distinct character of sea, and that is what defines Miyako Island.
Details on each beach are collected in the guide for its area, so start from whichever area interests you.
Let’s begin with the town area.
Beaches in the Town Area
The town area has four beaches.
Fifteen to twenty minutes by car from Miyako Airport. Being in Hirara, the island’s main town, it is easy to fit into spare time on your arrival or departure day.
- Sunayama Beach
- Painagama Beach
- Miyako Sunset Beach
- Yuni no Hama
The area also has the following sights.
- Miyako Shrine
There is no separate guide for it, but Nishizato Odori, the lively main street right by Miyako Shrine, is covered as well.
The town area is covered in detail in “4 Beaches in Miyako Island’s Town Area, Plus Miyako Shrine and Nishizato Odori“, so take a look if it interests you.
Beaches of the Shimoji and Kurima Area
The Shimoji and Kurima area has eight beaches.
Led by Yonaha Maehama, called the most beautiful in the Orient, this area holds some of the whitest sand on the island. Cross the Kurima Ohashi Bridge and small beaches and observation decks appear one after another along the road circling the island.
- Yonaha Maehama Beach
- Yonaha Beach North (Uramaehama)
- Nishihama Beach (Nishihamazaki)
- Sanitsu Beach
- Nagama-hama
- Musunun Beach
- Nagasaki-hama
- Kurima Fishing Port Beach
The area also has the following sights.
- Kurima Ohashi Bridge Observation Deck
- Ryugujo Observation Deck
- Matsunoki Observation Deck
- Tako Park
The Shimoji and Kurima area is covered in detail in “8 Beaches of the Shimoji and Kurima Island Area, Plus Yonaha Maehama and the Observation Decks“, so take a look if it interests you.
Beaches of the Ueno and Southern Area
The Ueno and southern area has five beaches.
At 10 to 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport, this is the easiest area on the island to reach. It also has a number of snorkeling spots where you can meet sea turtles.
- Imgyaa Marine Garden
- Shigira Beach
- Hakuai WaiWai Beach
- Nnato Beach
- Maruko Beach
The area also has the following sights.
- Irie Bay Observation Deck
The Ueno and southern area is covered in detail in “5 Beaches of the Ueno and Southern Area of Miyako Island, Where You Can Meet Sea Turtles“, so take a look if it interests you.
Beaches of the Eastern Area
The eastern area has eight beaches.
This is where snorkeling is at its liveliest. Alongside Aragusuku and Yoshino Coast, where the chances of meeting a sea turtle run high, the area holds Higashi-Hennazaki, the view that represents Miyako Island.
- Aragusuku Coast
- Yoshino Coast
- Higashi-Henna Beach
- Myba Coast
- Boraga Beach
- Nagamata-hama (Nagama Coast)
- Shirakawa-hama (Susakabama)
- Maja Beach
The area also has the following sights.
- Higashi-Hennazaki Cape
- Higashi-Hennazaki Observation Deck
- Higa Road Park
- Muiga Cliff
- Shichimata Coast Shiokumiba
The eastern area is covered in detail in “8 Beaches of Miyako Island’s Eastern Area, Plus Higashi-Hennazaki and Other Viewpoints“, so take a look if it interests you.
Beaches of the Irabu and Shimoji Islands Area
The Irabu and Shimoji Islands area has seven beaches.
About 4 km northwest of Miyako Island, across the Irabu Ohashi Bridge. From 17END with planes passing close overhead to the Blue Cave, which can only be entered from the sea, the area has character found nowhere else.
- Toguchi-no-hama
- 17END Beach
- Sawada-no-hama
- Nakanoshima Coast
- Oyadomari-no-hama
- 35END Beach
- The Blue Cave (Sapphire Cave)
The area also has the following sights.
- Toriike Pond, Shimoji Island
- Makiyama Observation Deck
- Shiratori-zaki Cape
- Funausagi-banata
There are no separate guides for them, but Obiishi, Irabu Ohashi Umi-no-Eki, and the Yamatobu Boulder are covered as well.
The Irabu and Shimoji Islands area is covered in detail in “7 Recommended Beaches of Irabu & Shimoji Islands! Plus Snorkeling and Other Activities“, so take a look if it interests you.
Beaches of Ikema Island and the Northern Area
The Ikema Island and northern area has seven beaches.
This covers Ikema Island, across the Ikema Ohashi Bridge, and the north of Miyako Island. Beaches busy with visitors sit alongside quiet ones only locals seem to find.
- Ohama Beach
- Funakusu Beach
- Ikizu Beach
- Kaginmi Beach
- Mijunmahida
- Nishi-no-hama Beach
- Manatsu Beach
The area also has the following sights.
- Nishi-Hennazaki Cape
- Shimajiri Mangrove Forest
- Yabiji Reef
- Ogami Island
Yabiji and Ogami Island cannot be reached overland, so they are covered separately as places you visit by boat.
The Ikema Island and northern area is covered in detail in “7 Beaches of Ikema Island and Northern Miyako, Plus Yabiji Reef and Ogami Island“, so take a look if it interests you.
Practical Information for Miyako Island
Activities on Miyako Island
Snorkeling, diving, SUP, and other marine sports in Miyako Island’s crystal-clear water are hugely popular.
Snorkeling and diving, along with landing tours to Yabiji and Yuni no Hama, can be booked here as well. Popular plans fill up early, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
Rental Cars on Miyako Island
A rental car is by far the best way to get around Miyako Island.
Beaches and observation decks are spread across every area of the island, and Irabu, Ikema, and Kurima are all reachable by car over their bridges. Bus services on Miyako Island are infrequent, and having a car makes a huge difference to how much you can fit in.
Reservations fill up quickly in peak season, so book early once your travel dates are decided.
Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort
Opened in June 2023, the Hilton Okinawa Miyako Island Resort sits about 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport, with easy access to central Hirara and the Irabu Ohashi Bridge.
Its greatest appeal is the setting: next to Miyako Sunset Beach, looking out over the world-renowned Miyako Blue sea, striking sunsets, and the Irabu Ohashi Bridge.
Along with 329 rooms, it has three outdoor pools and two indoor pools, a spa, a fitness centre, and a kids club, offering a refined resort stay for couples and families alike.
Summary
This guide has covered all 58 beaches and sights of Miyako Island, sorted into six areas.
The town area is close to the airport and works even for a short stop; the Shimoji and Kurima area holds Yonaha Maehama, the beach that represents the island. The eastern area is for snorkeling, Irabu and Shimoji for distinctive scenery, and Ikema and the north for finding quiet corners — each rewards a different approach.
If your stay is short, reading the guide for the area nearest your accommodation first should help you get around efficiently.
When you visit Miyako Island, take the time to find a beach of your own.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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