What is a snorkeling tour on Miyako Island?
Miyako Island is the most straightforward and transparent of all the seas in Okinawa.
The sea of Miyako Island is so beautiful that it can be said to be the most beautiful in Japan, and many people are eager to see what is under the sea.
Snorkeling is a popular activity that makes it easy to experience the undersea world!
Snorkeling is an activity to enjoy the underwater world using a mask and fins.
Since you wear fins, you can move around the water as quickly as if you were moving your feet.
In addition, even those who cannot swim and small children can enjoy snorkeling safely by wearing a life jacket.
On Miyako Island, plenty of coral and tropical fish are close to the beach, so even small children can enjoy snorkeling.
What types of snorkeling tours are available on Miyako Island?
Beach entry
In beach entry snorkeling on Miyako Island, you walk from the beach into the ocean and snorkel.
As the water gradually gets deeper, you can snorkel in a place that is comfortable for you.
In the regular ocean, you cannot see tropical fish and other marine life when you are close to the beach.
However, the sea of Miyakojima is so clear and beautiful that coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles can be seen even in shallow waters near the beach.
The beach entry is popular among families with small children, as the underwater world, which deserves the name “natural aquarium,” is always just a stone’s throw away.
Boat Entry
Boat entry snorkeling involves boarding a snorkel boat and heading to a snorkeling spot.
The boat will take you to a place with high transparency and abundant marine life, and then you will get off to snorkel.
Boat entry is also recommended because the waters of Miyakojima allow snorkeling at apparent points.
On Miyako Island, there are famous spots, such as the Yabiji area and the Blue Cave, and some good spots for snorkeling, such as the colorful coral-rich Bijas area.
What to Wear, Bring, and Rental Equipment for Miyako Island Snorkel Tour
What to wear on a snorkel tour on Miyako Island
| Summer | Swimsuit, sandals, rash guard, leggings, etc. |
| Winter | Swimsuit (to be worn inside a wetsuit), sandals, thick clothes that can get wet (clothes that can be worn during transportation) |
What to bring on a snorkeling tour on Miyako Island
| Personal belongings | Sunscreen, sunglasses, drink, towel, change of clothes, anti-sickness medicine (if necessary) |
Rental Equipment for Snorkel Tour on Miyako Island
| Rental equipment | Snorkel mask, fins, life jacket, wetsuit (winter only) |
Join a snorkeling tour and see the crystal clear waters of Miyako Island!
The waters of Miyako Island are the clearest in Japan.
The reason for this is that Miyakojima itself is an island formed by rising coral reefs.
There are no high mountains and no significant rivers on Miyako Island.
Therefore, water from the mountains does not flow into the ocean, and plankton does not form, resulting in higher transparency than in other oceans.
On days when the sun is shining, the ocean of Miyakojima is so clear that you can see up to 50 meters in the water.
This kind of ocean is rare, so when you visit Miyakojima, please do not just look at the sea from above but try snorkeling and looking inside the ocean.
Creatures you can see on a snorkeling tour in Miyakojima
If you snorkel in the clear waters of Miyakojima, you will see many animals.
Among them, it is sea turtles that have attracted many people.
On Miyako Island, there is a high probability of encountering sea turtles.
Some guides conducting snorkeling tours for ten years have a 100% chance of encountering sea turtles.
Why not catch a glimpse of them in the sea of Miyakojima?
Also, at Nakanoshima Beach, located in a cove on Irabu Island, you can see over 100 kinds of tropical fish and four kinds of popular clownfish.
The colorful tropical fish will surely make you feel like you are on a tropical island.
