For snorkeling on Miyako-jima Island, Aragusuku Beach (新城海岸) on the west is recommended. If you don’t have the necessary equipment, rental shops are around the shore. Compared to Yoshino Kaigan Beach (吉野海岸), you can expect fewer crowds at Aragusuku Beach. The shower, changing room, and toilet facilities are free of charge. The same goes for the parking lot!
The water at Aragusuku Beach is calm, shallow, and clear. You can see the coral reefs spread out under the water and tropical fishes without needing to dive down. And if you are lucky, you can meet a sea turtle too!
Important: Please keep in mind that no lifeguards are stationed at Aragusuku Beach. So paying attention to the instructions provided by the equipment rental shops is vital. They will also tell you what not to do while snorkeling to protect the precious corals (basically, don’t stand on or kick them).
Tips:
☛ For snorkeling, head to Aragusuku Beach before noon, as Aragusuku Beach doesn’t receive much sunlight during the afternoon.
☛ Your chances of encountering a sea turtle increase during high tide. Based on eyewitness information, sea turtles are more likely to appear at the left part of Aragusuku Beach.
☛ For watersports such as SUP, head to Umi no Ie Wa~Ra (海の家わ〜ら) for equipment rental. You can also apply to join various watersports tours with instructors with lifeguard certificates. For more information, refer to their website HERE and translate the webpage to English using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
Moreover, because there is a sea turtle colony around Aragusuku Beach, there is a high chance that you will spot a few of them while snorkeling. The sea turtles here are used to humans. So they don’t tend to run away even if you get close to them.
Obviously, it is fine to observe, but touching them is forbidden.
Other Recommended Spots Close to Aragusuku Beach
- Consider making a detour to Cape Higashi-Hennazaki (東平安名崎). It is the easternmost cape of Miyako-jima, with a total length of about 2km. The stunning cape is perfect for sunrise viewing and star gazing.
- Cape Higashi-Hennazaki is around a 10-minute drive from Aragusuku Beach.
- Higa Road Park (比嘉ロードパーク) is renowned for its superb scenery and is situated at the highest point of Miyako Island at 100 meters. The panoramic view from the observatory is a must-see on Miyako-jima.
- Higa Road Park is around an 8-minute drive from Aragusuku Beach.
How to Get to Aragusuku Beach
- Aragusuku Beach is around a 25-minute drive from Miyako Airport (宮古空港) and a 35-minute drive from Hirara Port (平良港).
- From Miyakojima City Hall (宮古島市役所), take Miyako Kyōei Bus’ (宮古協栄バス) Aragasuku Boraga Line (新城吉野保良線) and get off at Aragasuku (新城). The beach is a 20-minute walk.
Discover Other Stunning Beaches on Miyakojima Island
Speaking of Miyakojima Island, it is a destination filled with amazing beaches! In fact, whenever TripAdvisor announces Japan’s top 10 beaches, Miyako-jima often fills up most of their list! The beaches are also one of the main reasons the Japanese relocate to the enchanting island. So if you plan on visiting Okinawa soon or are keen on doing some watersports on your next Japan trip, Miyako Island should be your must-visit destination!
For more information, refer to our article on The Beaches on Miyako-jima Island!
