Local Column

COLUMN

Miyako Island Family Trip

2025-01-10 03:38

What is a family trip to Miyako Island?

SUP

If you are considering a family vacation destination, Miyako Island is the place to go.

Access from the city is convenient, with direct flights from Haneda Airport taking approximately 3 hours and from Kansai Airport arriving at Miyako Airport in approximately 2 hours, making travel time less burdensome and ideal for family trips for families with small children.

The mild climate throughout the year also makes it a pleasant place to live regardless of age.

Miyako Island was formed by the uplift of coral reefs, and corals grow in colonies in the sea around the island.

The abundance of marine life that inhabits the coral reefs also makes it a great spot for snorkeling and diving.

There are numerous tours available locally, and a wide variety of plans are available for groups, including small children and families.

There is a wide selection of activities for families to enjoy, so you can plan your time as you wish.

 

Next, let's dig a little deeper and see why this is a great family vacation.

Please refer to this page as a good candidate for a family vacation destination.

 

Characteristics and reasons for recommending a family vacation to Miyako Island

As mentioned above, Miyako Island has an abundance of natural beauty that cannot be seen on the mainland.

It is the perfect place for families to enjoy an extraordinary experience that they cannot experience in their normal environment.

Miyako Island offers not only the ocean, but also beautiful natural scenery that cannot be seen in the city.

For example, sunrise (sunrise), sunset (sunset), or a spot with a spectacular view of the starry sky with countless twinkling stars.

In addition, there are many other tourist attractions such as historical sites and observatories.

It is also a great place for those who want to enjoy activities and sightseeing in a beautiful natural setting.

On Miyako Island, you can enjoy the abundant nature or join a local tour to stay active.

One of the charms of a trip to Miyako Island is that you can freely plan a family vacation full of originality.

 

Best Memories! 5 recommended tours for family vacations

1) Sea turtle snorkeling tour

ウミガメ

The sea surrounding Miyako Island is home to a wide variety of creatures.

One of the most familiar and representative sea creatures is the sea turtle.

Sea turtles only visit clean beaches to lay their eggs, so they can only be encountered in limited areas.

One of the places where you can encounter such sea turtles is the sea of Miyakojima.

The sea of Miyakojima is known for its 99% chance of encountering sea turtles.

For this reason, one of the most popular marine activities on Miyako Island is sea turtle snorkeling.

You can encounter not only sea turtles, but also coral and tropical fish in bright tropical colors.

You can swim with the sea turtles as they swim by, and take pictures of them as they swim by.

 

(2) SUP/Canoe & Limestone Cave Caving Tour

SUPクルージング

When you visit Miyako Island, we recommend that you participate in a variety of activities!

Here we introduce a combination plan of SUP/canoeing and limestone cave caving, which is a popular activity.

This plan allows you to choose between SUP and canoeing, so you can decide according to your mood.

The beginning of the tour will be SUP/canoe cruising in the beautiful sea called "Miyako Blue".

SUP is a popular marine activity in recent years in which you stand on a surfboard and paddle forward with a single paddle.

You will feel as if you are walking on the surface of the sea as you paddle forward while standing.

Canoeing is a great way to feel a sense of oneness with the ocean, because you are paddling in a canoe boat and your line of sight is close to the surface of the ocean.

In the crystal clear waters of Miyako Island, you can observe underwater coral and fish from the top of a SUP/canoe!

パンプキン鍾乳洞ケイビング

After enjoying the sea of Miyako Island, visit the Pumpkin Cave, one of the most famous power spots on Miyako Island.

As you swim into the cave, a huge pumpkin-shaped stalactite appears before you.

 

It is said that if you climb to the top of the pumpkin stalactite and dive into the ocean (pumpkin hole) below, your wish will come true, so if you have the courage, please give it a try.

 

Sunset SUP

サンセットSUP

Miyako Island offers one of the best sunset views in Japan.

The clean air and stable weather of Miyako Island make it possible to see beautiful sunsets.

The SUP experience with a view of the sunset is a moment of bliss.

SUP in the evening calm will be an unforgettable experience that you cannot experience anywhere else.

Photographs taken against the backdrop of a sunset are as beautiful as in a movie or drama.

You may find it difficult to take pictures while doing SUP, but don't worry.

Our staff, who are accustomed to living in the area, will assist you in capturing beautiful photographs.

 

4) Night Canoeing

宮古島 ナイトカヌー

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nighttime on Miyako Island has a different charm from daytime.

When the sun goes down, the night sky is filled with stars and a beautiful starry sky envelops the area.

Under such a starry sky, a night canoeing experience in the ocean at night is a different feeling from sunset canoeing.

You will be impressed by the grandeur of nature as you look up at the countless stars above you as you canoe along the surface of the sea.

If you want to make your trip to Miyako Island special, we recommend that you join a night canoeing trip.

How about ending the day with a view of the beautiful starry sky of Miyako Island?

 

(5) Full-day charter tour

ビーチで記念撮影

For those who prefer to relax and enjoy the tour at their own pace without worrying about other passengers, we recommend a full-day charter tour.

In this tour, you and your family can enjoy the following tours (1) to (4) below in a guided tour, without worrying about other guests, on your own.

 

If you are lost, this is the one for you! Miyako Island Basic 1 Day Plan

(2) Play in the ocean of Miyako Island! Choice of SUP/Canoe & Snorkeling Set

(3) Choice of SUP or Canoe & Pumpkin Cave Caving 1 Day Set

4) Sea turtle watch and pumpkin hole exploration! Dragon's Palace Set

 

Why don't you and your family leave behind many memories that will last a lifetime?

 

Where is the best place to go with your family? Recommended Family Travel Spots

1) Furusato Seaside Park

For those who want to relax on a natural beach in Miyako Island, we recommend Furusato Seaside Park.

Many natural beaches do not have showers or restroom facilities, but this beach is equipped with showers, restrooms, and a store.

This makes it safe for those with small children or those who wish to stay longer and more leisurely.

It is a favorite spot not only among tourists, but also among locals, as they can enjoy swimming and barbecuing.

The shallow waters of the beach make it a safe place for children to play, making it popular with families with children.

The shallow waters of the beach also make it easy to enjoy snorkeling.

The scenery is also very beautiful, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

 

Furusato Seaside Park Basic Information
Name: Furusato Seaside Park
Location: Nakasuji, Tarama Village, Miyako-gun, Okinawa
Access: 17 minutes by car from Tarama Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes

 

(2) Ikema Bridge

池間大橋

Opened in 1992, the 1425-meter-long Ikema Ohashi Bridge is a large bridge connecting Miyakojima and Ikema Island.

This is also a spot with spectacular views of the crystal clear Miyako blue, sunset and sunrise.

There is a parking lot and a store near the big bridge, so it is good to take a break from driving.

Nearby is Funakusu Beach, a popular snorkeling spot, where you can also enjoy marine activities.

The Ikema Bridge is known as one of the three great bridges along with the Irabu Bridge and the Raima Bridge.

If you are so inclined, you may also want to visit the Irabu and Kuruma Ohashi bridges and conquer all the bridges on Miyako Island.

 

Basic Information on Ikema Bridge
Name: Ikema Ohashi Bridge
Location: Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 27 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes

 

(3) Blue Cave

青の洞窟

There are several caves in Japan and abroad, called blue caves, which are located in the sea.

One of these is on Irabu Island.

The Blue Cave on Irabu Island can be visited by sea kayak, snorkeling, or diving tours.

Since there is only one entrance on the ocean side, it becomes darker and darker as you enter the cave.

The attraction is that when you go inside and look toward the entrance, you can experience the glowing blue interior of the cave.

The outside of the cave is also home to colorful coral reefs and many tropical fish.

Therefore, you can enjoy the beautiful Miyako blue inside and outside the cave.

 

Basic Information on Blue Cave
Name: Blue Cave (Miyako Island)
Location: Irabu-Ikema, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 28 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: -
Dining (vicinity)
Toilet: -

 

(4) Hamasaki Beach

In the northern part of the Miyako Archipelago is a remote triangular island called Minna-jima (水納島, Minna-jima).

The island can only be visited by tours, as few regular boats pass through.

Hamasaki Beach, located on such an island of Mizuna, is a hidden spot rarely visited by tourists or even locals.

It is a space full of private atmosphere with not many people, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy the sea of Miyakojima quietly.

Because Mizuna Island was formed by giant corals, many coral reefs grow in clusters in the surrounding sea.

The ocean facing Hamasaki Beach is home to many tropical fish that inhabit the coral reefs.

Why don't you enjoy snorkeling freely at Hamasaki Beach where there are few people?

 

Hamasaki Beach Basic Information
Name: Hamasaki Beach
Location: Mizuna, Tarama Village, Miyako-gun, Okinawa
Access: 15 minutes by charter boat from Tarama Island
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None

 

(5) Ikema Lighthouse

池間灯台

Rising at the northernmost tip of Ikema Island, one of the Miyako Archipelago, is the Ikema Lighthouse, which plays an important role in providing weather conditions.

Ikema Lighthouse is also the turnaround point for a drive around Ikema Island.

Nearby are Ikidu Beach with its heart rock and Funakusu, which can also be visited.

 

Basic Information on Ikema Island Lighthouse
Name: Ikema Island Lighthouse
Location: Hirara-Ikema, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 32 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed our introduction to family travel on Miyako Island.

Miyako Island is perfect for family trips, as there are many tours that can be joined by a large group of people, including children and families.

There is an abundance of tourist attractions and facilities for families to enjoy.

Let's plan an original family trip to Miyako Island by skillfully incorporating these into your travel plans.

If you have any questions, we recommend that you ask the local travel agency or the management company organizing the tour.

They will surely be able to provide you with valuable information and ways to enjoy the local area.

 

Thank you for reading to the end.

This article was written by.
にわちゃん
young Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata)